General objectives

At Sciences Po, sociology is taught as a discipline of enquiry, based fundamentally on the analysis of original data, which means that a great deal of emphasis is placed on learning rigorous methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative. The two-year Master's programme is based on practical experience, with one fundamental objective: to learn how to develop research questions and attempt to answer them empirically and theoretically. At a very early stage in their studies, students are encouraged to engage in field research by learning practical methods based on interviews, observations, ethnography and the analysis of large databases. The course is also based on intensive reading and the ability to engage with and discuss literature.

Particular importance is attached to the research dissertation, which starts at the end of the first year and is supervised by one or two members of the sociology department. The subjects chosen and the methods used by students are varied and reflect the very broad spectrum of research topics and methodologies studied by the sixty or so researchers in the Sociology Department at Sciences Po.

Courses are taught in English and French. Students may use either English or French throughout the Master's programme for exams, research work, dissertations and class discussions, the principle being that everyone speaks in the language in which they feel most comfortable. In order to facilitate the integration of students who do not understand French, first-year courses are taught in English, with some courses being offered in both English and French. From the second semester onwards, this formula remains the same, with some courses being offered only in French. Graduates of the Master's in Sociology are particularly well prepared to pursue their academic careers at PhD level, join large organisations, the consulting sector, public bodies and work for research and study institutes at national, European or international level.

Organization of courses 

• Programme, semester 1
• Programme, semester 2
• Programme, semester 3
• Programme, semester 4

Teaching Staff

The teaching staff made up of internationally recognized sociologists. A Master's Steering Committee meets 3-4 times a year. It is made up of four teacher-researchers (Sarah Gensburger, Marta Dominguez, Olivier Godechot and Kevin Mellet) and the Master's Director, plus two student representatives per year. The Master's teaching team is made up of research professors from 4 Sciences Po research centers, of which Sciences Po sociologists are members. 

You will find a presentation of these centers and their members below:

• Teachers from the Permanent Faculty within the Centre for Research on Social Inequalities (CRIS)
• Teachers from the Permanent Faculty within the Centre for the Sociology of Organisations
• Teachers from the Permanent Faculty within the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics
• Teachers from the Permanent Faculty within the médialab

Contacts

• Jérôme Pélisse, 
  Head of doctoral studies in Sociology,
  Professor at Sciences Po,
  Researcher at the CSO

Contact us by e-mail or telephone to make an appointment:

• Carine Boutillier
  Administrative Officer
  Tel. : +33 (0)1 45 49 59 82

Sciences Po Live - Master in Sociology

The live stream is in French.