Would you like to know if the global exchange of media products – Disney movies, fashion magazines, popular music – poses a threat to local and national cultures? Or if developing art markets in Russia, China, Brazil and India adopt Western models and institutions?

In Cultural Sociology, you will not only examine culture from a broad perspective (collective mentalities, ideologies, religious orientations, expert and lay knowledge), but you will also look at the more specific features of culture (art, media, popular culture). You will focus on how symbolic goods like books, artworks and fashion are produced, distributed and received. In addition, the curriculum explores how broader cultural conceptions are embedded in social relations, and how they change over time and vary across social groups.

The approach to the study is empirically grounded, utilising both qualitative and quantitative methods. The programme offers you the unique opportunity to study key themes within contemporary cultural sociology. The research and teaching of staff members stimulates a strong engagement with issues of cultural globalisation and cross-national comparative research.

Student profile

This rigorous and intensive programme trains you at a high academic level. You are expected to develop the capacity to  work independently and in group settings.

Competencies

You will gain knowledge of aspects of contemporary cultural developments in relation to social processes and insight into the functioning of cultural policy areas. You will gain the ability to use these concepts and theories in creative ways. The combination of empirical studies with theoretical reflection gives you the intellectual tools and skills you need to analyse and understand complex social and cultural issues.

Focus on research

The UvA has a sophisticated, experienced and international oriented teaching staff, a well-built network of experts outside the university, specialised libraries and archives, and a student network. The staff from the sociology department guarantees students will receive expertise in innovative sociological research. The programme culminates in students developing their own thesis research, closely mentored and guided by a supervisor with expertise in the particular area of investigation.

Ambition in research?

For students interested in this field of study, we also offer a two-year Research Master’s programme in Social Sciences.

Degree certificate

Cultural Sociology is a track of the accredited degree programme Sociology. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a legally accredited Master’s degree in Sociology and the title Master of Science (MSc).