Universitat de Barcelona

Introduction

The main objective of the master's degree in in Sociology: Social Transformations and Innovation is to train scientists and professionals capable of leading the study of social change and the creation of social technologies, and of proposing new solutions to collective challenges and improving our institutions and societies.
Against a backdrop of rapid structural change, sociology provides the models and methods to diagnose and analyse the full complexity of the social transformations taking place, allows for the identification and evaluation of options for change, and enables the proposal and evaluation of positive intervention strategies that can shape future possibilities and foster creativity and innovation.
This master's degree provides an overview of current social change and the strategic challenges it poses, develops students' transferable skills for the scientific analysis of processes of social transformation and innovation, and builds on their ability to design and evaluate intervention models.
The course focuses on processes of social transformation and innovation, considered on different scales: from the global (multiple modernities and processes of globalization) to the local (urban transformations, changes in living conditions or in gender relations), and from different sectoral spheres (cultural, educational, economic), in networks, institutions and organizations (public and private). Additionally, in order to understand processes of social change, students will examine and discuss a range of fundamental contemporary issues such as migration, security, social exclusion, conflict, and sustainable development. The programme aims to train highly skilled researchers and professionals to international levels of excellence, capable of demonstrating the skills and clear-sightedness to analyse processes of change and social transformation and to design and apply innovative solutions within and between organizations.

Learning objectives

The master's degree in Sociology: Social Transformations and Innovation aims to train scientists and professionals capable of leading the study of social change and the creation of social technologies, and of proposing new solutions to collective challenges and improving our institutions and societies.
Students admitted to the course will:

• Become experts in social and organizational change, with the knowledge and skills to take on leadership roles as effective analysts and managers in the public, private or tertiary sector.
  
• develop the skills to become innovative social researchers capable of working in any type of centre for social research or of pursuing further study and research at doctoral level.
  
• Acquire specialized training for the planning, design and implementation of social transformation and innovation initiatives.
  
• Develop the skills acquired in other areas of study and professional practice and build a solid base of theoretical knowledge and technical competences in the field of sociology and analysis of social transformation and innovation.