MA Global Citizenship, Identity and Human Rights

Demand for various forms of expertise on human rights, citizenship and identities is rapidly expanding as governments, international agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and private sector organisations become increasingly sensitive to and interested in questions about rights and identities.

In the current global crisis 'national' versions of citizenship continue to be enormously significant and consequential. At the same time, there are emerging discourses about global citizenship and inclusive belonging. This course examines such competing forms of (identity) politics, along with a series of other critical global questions pertaining to:

War
Migration
Climate change
The credit crunch
The rise of nationalism
The impact of global media
Sex tourism
Modern slavery
The transformation of gender and sexuality
Contemporary racism

This programme explores what recent changes to the global cultural and political landscape mean for individuals and groups in terms of their ability to access human rights (social, economic and cultural as well as political and civil). It provides students with advanced level sociological knowledge of the concepts of ‘globalisation’, ‘citizenship’, ‘identity’ and ‘human rights’, as well as a critical understanding of their application in a range of discourses (political, legal, academic, and popular).

It offers opportunities to develop specialist understanding of human rights law; post-conflict cultures; and/or media and globalisation, rights and identities. All MA students in the School of Sociology and Social Policy join a thriving, diverse and lively postgraduate community.

Find out what past students thought about this course.

Course structure

The MA consists of taught modules totalling 120 credits (which are taken during the autumn and spring semesters) and a 60 credit dissertation (undertaken over the summer period).

Researching Global Citizenship, Identities and Human Rights (20 credits)
Globalisation, Citizenship and Identity (20 credits)
Human Rights and Modern Slavery (20 credits)
Civil Society: the role of NGOs (20 credits)
Migration, Multiculturalism and Mobilisation (20 credits)
Between Europe and the Middle East: Critical Questions of Citizenship and Identity (20 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)

The module ‘Civil Society: the role of NGOs’ involves a combination of classes and seminars featuring presentations by outside speakers who undertake research and/or advocacy work around human and citizenship rights in NGOs, international agencies, or media. It is assessed by means of a project evaluating the work of an NGO of the students’ choice. This module builds upon and develops the School’s existing links with research users and collaborators in NGOs, media and international agencies. Other taught modules are assessed by a piece of written work of 4,000-6,000 words.

Dissertation

The dissertation is a key component of the degree. It affords students the opportunity to conduct independent research on a topic of their choice under the supervision of sociologists who are nationally and internationally known for their expertise on citizenship, national and ethnic identities, globalisation, human rights and children’s rights. The dissertation is up to 15,000 words and is submitted in September.

Applications and funding

All applications must be made online.

The course can be taken as Masters (includes a dissertation) or as Postgraduate Diploma (without a dissertation). It is available for full-time (12 months) or part-time (24 months) study starting in September. Students who register for the Postgraduate Diploma can be upgraded to the MA if they perform satisfactorily in the first semester (if full-time) or in the first academic year (if part-time).

Up-to-date information on entry requirements can be found in the Postgraduate Prospectus.

School scholarships are normally available for this MA and the International Office can provide further information on funding opportunities.

Enquiries

Christian Karner, Lecturer in Sociology, Programme Director of MA Global Citizenship, Identities and Human Rights Tel: +44 (0) 115 8467594 Email: christian.karner@nottingham.ac.uk

Kathryn Clay, Taught Postgraduate Administrator Tel:+44 (0)115 846 7551 Email: kathryn.clay@nottingham.ac.uk