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Sociology and Anthropology

Language of instruction

english, lithuanian

Qualification degree and (or) qualification to be awarded

Bachelor of Social Sciences

Place of delivery

Kaunas, K. Donelaičio g. 58, LT-44248

Institution that has carried out assessment

Studijų kokybės vertinimo centras

Institution that has performed accreditation, accreditation term

Studijų kokybės vertinimo centras, 12/7/2028

Data provided or updated (date)

1/10/2023

Order on accreditation

SV6-33
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Summary of the Profile

General Description:
Objective(s) of a study programme:
The objective of the program is to train qualified sociologists who have a wide range of competences: competences in specific sociological and comprehensive social science analysis of various social processes within social institutions and society at large, competences in an application of interdisciplinary sociological, anthropological and communication studies knowledge to identify the contemporary social issues, competences in choosing the adequate and appropiate practical solutions to deal with contemporary social issues and in application of various sociological praxis and policies to propose those solutions, while keeping with general ethics code and principles.
Learning outcomes:
Graduates of the program will be able:
1. Competence to analyze and apply modern sociological, anthropological and communucation studies theories for the study of society and the analysis of various contemporary social issues.
2. Competence in critical thinking to observe, analyze and evaluate contemporary society and social and cultural problems on the national and global scale, while applying sociological analysis tools and methods.
3. Competence in applying theoretical (and conceptual) knowledge to identify and analyze social inquiries and seek after for the optimal practical solutions of sociological, anthropological and communication issues.
4. Competence to develop the skills of understanding of the principles of social science research methodology, assess, summarize, synthesize, and comment on different forms of solutions offered by the social research strategies for the optimal practical solutions of sociological, anthropological and communication issues.
5. Competence to develop personal professional ability to plan and perform an interdisciplinary sociological, anthropological and communication research, collect, analyze, and interpret data by using quantitative and qualitative social research methods in specific study field.
6. Competence to develop the ability to apply different approaches, statistical analysis softwares/ programs and tools to the analysis of social data in the data analysis of projects based on the research of social issues or the study field at large.
7. Competence to develop the professional ability to apply and perform secondary data sources in sociological analysis (statistical information, structured data sets, etc.) and effectively communicate about it to various segmented or mass audiences.
8. Competence to develop personal abilities in understanding the importance of management of informational literacy and new digital technologies within the interdisciplinary field of sociology, anthropology and communication studies or sociological and anthropological projects.
9. Competence to co-work and communicate with professionals and non-experts, and work in a team setting to plan and organize personal and group activities for internal and external communication while aiming to apply the interdisciplinary (sociologal, anthropological and communication studies) knowledge and skills.
10. Competence to develop the ability to initiate, prepare and implement various interdisciplinary (sociological, anthropological and communication studies) projects aiming to seek after for the optimal practical solutions within organization(s).
11. Competence to develop creative, systematic, critical thinking and abilities to act responsibly, considering the principles of sustainable development, and adhere to the fundamental principles of research ethics, scientific validity, and objectivity.
12. Competence to understand intercultural diversity aspects related to value, perceptual, cognitive, behaviour and communication differences, while aiming to find the solutions which require the interdisciplinary (sociologal, anthropological and communication studies) approach.
Activities of teaching and learning:
Learning and teaching activities are organized to support students to perceive the aim of learning, plan, assess and reflect on the learning process, progress, and achievements.
Study methods include individual and group projects, solving problem situations, role play, case studies and analysis, critical analysis of literature, document anc content analysis, laboratory work, analysis of video material, analysis of actual educational situations, thematic debates, discussions, focus group discussion, collaborative activities in small groups and pairs, critical reflection, reflection diaries, inquiry-based learning and elements of action research, preparation of the learning portfolio, etc. Time is spared for student consultations aimed at clarifying arising questions individually or in groups, getting advice on performance of self-study assignments. Interactive lectures, seminars, practical activities, independent individual and group/team work promote students’ active learning, encourage them to relate acquired new knowledge to practice and try them out practically. Studies grounded on the personalized learning paradigm emphasize the development of the learner’s experience. Therefore, considerable attention is paid to students’ practical activities and reflection on them.
Methods of assessment of learning
achievements:
Assessment methods and techniques are attuned to learning outcomes and competencies as well as relevant study methods. The following ways of assessment are used: the course teacher’s assessment, self-assessment of the student performed task, students’ assessment of each other’s tasks in pairs or groups, etc.
Studies of the subjects of the study programme are completed with the evaluation of the student’s knowledge and skills on the 10-point grading system. Assessing student performance in individual subjects, assessment criteria are formulated in accordance with the summative assessment system for assessment of learning outcomes, applied at Vytautas Magnus University (including formative assessment too), defined in the Study Regulation of VMU. Evaluation of students’ academic achievements involves intermediate assessments and examination (or the defence of the student’s independent assignment). Students’ theoretical preparation and the ability to practically solve tasks of special educational support provision and improvement in the educational process are assessed. The final mark of the study subject consists of the marks for performance of intermediate tasks (individual projects/assignments, individual homework, tasks of solving problem situations, case study, written assignments, laboratory work, etc.) and for the examination (or the defence of the student’s independent project). The examination mark must constitute at least 30 per cent of the final mark, while the weight of individual constituents of intermediate assessments in the final mark is established / announced by the course teacher during the first lectures.
Framework:
Study subjects (modules), practical
training:
The study program consists of 240 credits: general study subjects and specialty study subjects as well as internships (in-service trainings). The main study language for Sociological and Anthropological Studies (SAS) specialization is Lithuanian, and for the Society, Culture and Communication (SCC) specialization is English:
1. General study (Artes liberales) subjects consist of 56 credits in SAS specialization, and of 48 credits in SCC specialization. The difference in volume of credits between specialization appears because students must have certain English language proficiency (C1 level) to enroll in SCC specialization, as the main study language for this specialization is English.
2. The credits of the blocks of compulsory subjects are distributed according to the chosen specialization.
1) Specialty subjects constitute 148 credits in total for SAS specialization, and 156 credits for SCC specialization:
• Common study field specific subjects for both specializations (6 subjects, 34 credits) are taught in respective main study languages. These subjects are Social Change, Classical Sociological Theories, Contemporary Sociological Thinking, Demography, Qualitative Social Science Methods, Quantitative Methods in Social Sciences.
• Different specialization specific subjects are offered according to the chosen specialization and study fields which are linked with the chosen specialization. SAS specialization subjects consist of 38 credits within study field subjects (Social Relations, Sociocultural Anthropology, Applied Sociology and Anthropology, Fieldwork methods, Social Project Management, etc.), and of 10 credits within other study field subjects (Applied Statistics, etc.). SCC specialization subjects consist of 10 credits within study field subjects (Cultural Diversity and Intercultural Communication, etc.), and of 58 credits within other study field subjects, mainly in communication studies (International Communication and Global Perspectives, Theory and Practice of Public Relations and Strategic Communication, Creative Production Lab, Representations, Identity and Principles of Visual Communication, Public Communication Regulation, etc.).
• Elective study field subjects are chosen by the students: SAS specialization students must take 66 credits, SCC specialization students elect subjects of 54 credits volume. The examples of possible offered to elect subjects are Economy, Employment and Consumption, Social Inequality and Exclusion, Religion, Culture and Society, Health, Medicine and Society, Family Diversity in Contemporary Society, etc.
2) 2 internships/ in-service trainings must be taken by both specialization students during the last academic year studies (8 credits are dedicated for each internship).
3) Term paper (5 credits) and final BA thesis (15 credits) are prepared by both specialization students during the last academic year studies.
Specialisations:
Sociological and Anthropological Studies
(taught in Lithuanian as a main study languange)

Society, Culture and Communication
(taught in English as a main study languange)
Optional courses:
• General study subjects that the students can select from a list of Artes Liberales subjects or other study programs: 56 credits in SAS specialization, and 48 credits in SCC specialization;
• Students of SAS specialization select subjects of 66 credits and students of SCC specialization elect subjects of 54 credits from the list of common elective study field subjects (Economy, Employment and Consumption, Social Inequality and Exclusion, Religion, Culture and Society, Health, Medicine and Society, Family Diversity in Contemporary Society, etc.);
• Students of SAS specialization select subjects of 48 credits volume from the list of specialization specific subjects which can be study field or other study field subjects (Social Relations, Sociocultural Anthropology, Applied Sociology and Anthropology, Fieldwork methods, Social Project Management, etc.);
• Students of SCC specialization select subjects of 68 credits volume from the list of specialization specific subjects which can be study field or other study field subjects (International Communication and Global Perspectives, Theory and Practice of Public Relations and Strategic Communication, Creative Production Lab, Representations, Identity and Principles of Visual Communication, Public Communication Regulation, etc.).
Distinctive features of a study
programme:
Sociology and Anthropology study program offered by VMU's on the bachelor's level are unique in that it offers two different sociology study field approach and combination with other discipline - students who would like to combine sociology with anthropology (Sociological and Anthropological Studies specialization) or sociology with communication studies (Society, Culture and Communication specialization). Sociological and Anthropological Studies specialization is orientated towards the development of professional skillset of sociological and anthropological projects implementation, quantitative and qualitative data collection, different type of data analysis, and recognition of various needs in organization(s) for the projects to explain social contemporary issues and problems. Society, Culture and Communication specialization is orientated towards the development of professional skillset to combine theoretical and practical sociological and communication knowledge, organize, and apply various types of social and media research, projects and implement solutions in organization(s). Both program specializations are also exceptional because:
• There are offered broader and more comprehensive approach and understanding of contemporary society for students in study program, as one specialization (Sociological and Anthropological Studies) coordinates sociology and anthropology disciplines, while the other (Society, Culture and Communication specialization) combine fields of sociology and communication studies.
• Sociological and Anthropological Studies are held in Lithuanian language with the focus towards contemporary Lithuanian society understanding, while the main study language of Society, Culture and Communication specialization is English, and it is orientated towards contemporary global society and communication processes understanding.
• Sociological and Anthropological Studies dedicated to the students who would like to go into-depth in social research and project (different type of methodology and methods applications, data collection and analysis) side applications, while Society, Culture and Communication specialization provide students with the opportunities to go into-depth in communication solutions side applications.
Access to professional activity or further study:
Access to professional activity:
Graduates of the Sociology and Anthropology Bachelor programme of Sociological and Anthropological Studies specialization acquire competences necessary for successful work at the national and international non-governmental organizations, social research centres, public opinion and market research institutions, governmental organizations, different media areas and other different areas of public life where the knowledge about interpersonal relations, intercultural diversities and their impact, competencies to identify social problems based on data analysis and to propose solutions and social research performance are required.

Graduates of the Sociology and Anthropology Bachelor programme of Sociological and Anthropological Studies specialization acquire competencies necessary for a successful professional career in public and non-governmental organizations and private companies, social and media research centers, enterprises in the field of public opinion, media monitoring, market research, public relations and media, and other organizations in the areas where the knowledge about intercultural diversities and communication are essential. Graduates acquire competencies related to identifying the social and communication problems, proposing sociological or media research design, and suggesting solutions based on the research results. Graduates can work as analysts and communication specialists and have excellent communication skills in public relations, creative and feature writing, and other creative communication content aspects.
Access to further study:
Graduates of the programme are able to continue studies in the second cycle programmes in Social Sciences or other fields in Lithuania and abroad, whereas the social sciences BA is sufficient.