![[attachments/issh-info/ia-logo-blue-edited.png|100x100]] ## Introduction ISSH's Graduate School, is dedicated to academic education in the humanities and social sciences disciplines. The aim of the Institute is to foster rigorous learning opportunities for students interested in researching and analyzing current events and social developments occurring in Iran through the prism of the modern world.  ![[Students.png]] ## Social Studies Program Social Studies program is an interdisciplinary master's level study program that aims to provide students with a strong foundation for understanding social developments.  ## Objectives The main objectives are: 1. Introducing students to critical thinking and writing, fundamental social science theories, and social science methodologies. 2. To expose students to more advanced approaches to examining social developments in political philosophy, sociological theory, and political economy, including case study research courses in gender, social movements, human rights, and good governance. 3. Exploring advanced topics in the above disciplines of social studies and guiding students in planning and conducting thesis research projects. ## Learning Outcomes Social Studies Program Learning outcomes: 1. Knowledge (K): The graduate has acquired in-depth knowledge and understanding: - K1: Of the subject areas of the social sciences and the humanities through an interdisciplinary approach at the intersection of political philosophy, political economy and sociological theory. - K2: Of the specialized field of social change or democracy and human rights, including a critical familiarization with that field and its leading theories, concepts, case researches and current developments - K3: Of relevant qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methodologies, including methods and techniques, especially in the context of case study research and critical thinking, and the ability to apply them 2. Applying knowledge and understanding (A): The acquired theoretical and/or methodological abilities enable the graduate to - A1: Contribute innovative insights to theoretical debates through integration of knowledge and analyzing developments from across a range of disciplines within the social sciences and humanities - A2: Prepare and/or conduct independent original research including hypothesis development, empirical field work, data analysis and drawing conclusions - A3: Apply appropriate qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methodologies, including methods and techniques, especially in the context of case study research and critical thinking, to their own original research project addressing a contemporary issue within a specialization of their choosing - A4: Develop a comparative perspective between Iran and other countries in the specialized field of social change or democracy and human rights 3. Problem solving skills (P): The knowledge and skills developed in the program allow the graduate to - P1: Create linkages between state of the art scientific approaches in specialized fields within the social sciences and humanities and contemporary developments in the corresponding professional fields - P2: Recognize practical and professional challenges, pertinent to their field, in the world at large and Iran in specific, and contribute to the development of tactical, strategic and creative solutions drawing on their expertise - P3: Employ their advanced theoretical and methodological background and comparative perspective to develop conceptual and applied interventions in relevant professional fields, including but not limited to the non-profit and policy development sectors 4. Learning and development skills (L): The program strengthens the proficiency of the graduate to - L1: Autonomously find and/or study relevant literature, apply knowledge and skills in new and unfamiliar contexts, and develop syntheses and draw conclusions based on own work - L2: Participate and adopt a clear position in the academic discussions on theories and research methodologies within the social sciences and humanities in general and their specialized fields in specific - L3: Critically reflect on their own effort and position as an actor in academia - L4: Operate as independent researchers and/or policy makers in academic and professional environments 5. Information collecting skills (I): The graduate is able to demonstrate the information-oriented skills to - I1: Determine which type of data collection methods and techniques best fit a given or formulated theoretical inquiry and case study - I2: Collect, analyze and interpret data from a range of qualitative and quantitative primary and secondary source materials, following high academic standards - I3: Develop a detailed and comprehensive case study overview synthesizing existing scientific literature, own empirical work, media coverage, statistical data and other relevant material. 6. Communication skills (CS): The graduate should be in possession of the following communicative skills - CS1: Be able to express him/herself at an academic level - CS2: Independently present original research findings orally and in writing to an audience of experts and non-experts alike, meeting the required academic standards 7. Competence (C): The graduate has acquired the following competencies - C1: To independently carry out high quality research and bear full responsibility for the process, results and quality of his/her work - C2: To operate in a context with a high degree of uncertainty and often incomplete data or access to research subjects, nevertheless always adhering to high ethical, academic and social standards - C3: A critical attitude and the analytical and research skills needed to qualify for continued advanced research or to functional on a high professional level in research and policy departments of - for example but not limited to - the non-profit and policy development sectors. ## Entry requirements The requirements for admission to Social Studies program are: - BA or BSc degree (or equivalent) from a recognized University. - Proficiency in reading English, to be demonstrated by an appropriate test: Intermediate English reading certificate issued by a language institute, IELTS reading test 6.0, TOEFL iBT reading test 13-18 or equivalent.