Home » Graduate Programs » Master of Arts in Sociology » course description


Course Description

SG 2001: English and writing skills for Academic Purposes

In this course, students are taught aspects of the English language necessary for sociology and anthropology. They learn to analyze texts, write literature reviews in English, and work on their skills in critical analysis and creative report writing. They also learn about report writing, and are introduced to the terms and jargon relating to field work and report writing in sociology and anthropology. Text Analysis (for Literature review). Critical Analysis (for Report presentation). Creative Report writing skills. Development of Report Writing in connection with data analysis relevant to the field of research.

SG 2002: Fundamental Statistics and Data Analysis

The course provides a theoretical basis of statistical concepts and methods that are required for using statistics in other applied areas. The course contents cover some important concepts and methods from several statistical branches: probability theory, statistical inference, stochastic processes, Bayesian theory and regression analysis.
The course will enable students with data interpretation and data presentation. Fundamental dimensions of empirical research. Survey planning and data gathering techniques. Typical research problems and formulation of plans of investigation. Research modes, strategies and techniques for the design, collection, analysis and reporting of empirical data. Statistical techniques for data analysis.

SG 2003: Advanced Social Theory

Critical approach to the major sociological and anthropological theoretical frameworks.
Structural-functionalism, conflict and dialectical theory, symbolic interactionism, phenomenological theory.

SG 2004: Advanced Research Methodology

Drawing on case studies, “how to” materials, and writings from a variety of disciplines, this course is designed to help guide graduate students in how to think about, negotiate, and “do” methods in their research. We will focus on the theory, logic, and practice of fieldwork, specific methodological and ethical issues associated with studying people at first-hand, and current debates about what constitutes the bounds and limits of the ethnographic enterprise more generally.

SG 2005: Public Administration

Analyzes the nature of public administration, its structure and limitations; includes staff organization and chain of command, unemployment policies, personnel training and management, employees, organizations, and public relations. The course aims is to explain what encompasses the field of public administration, what it means to be a public administrator provided by highly trained public administration experts and specialized organizations. Course will explain the core purpose of public administration to recognize the public administration encompasses a large and dynamic portion of government at all three levels of the federal system, engaging even in nonprofit and private enterprise.

SG 2006: Theories of Development

This course provides a critical overview of development theory. We will trace ideas of development from the 19th century forward, with a particular emphasis on development thinking in the post -World War II period. Our treatment of various theoretical approaches will proceed chronologically, in an attempt to understand the ways that various ideas (particularly from the political left and right) have responded to one another over time. As such, we will read these various bodies of literature as a set of ongoing debates on issues of development. Course aim is to critically examine development thinking and its evolution over time. With this in mind, you will have an opportunity to apply these ideas in a more practical, problem - oriented way in your final research paper, if you wish to do so.

SG 2007: Social Demography & Population Dynamics

Basic concepts and operations of social demography. Social implications of demographic structure, population growth, distribution, composition, social mobility. Social and economic determinants of power structures, labour force development and migrations dynamics. Interaction of human populations with natural resources and environment. Demographic factors affecting food consumption and nutritional status.

SG 2008: Local Knowledge and Sustainable Development

This course provides students with different forms of local knowledge. They will examine the meaning of local knowledge, explore the relationships between local knowledge and bio-cultural diversity, local knowledge and culture and study the methodology of local culture analysis.

SG 2009: Cambodia's Poverty Issues Analysis

Analysis of poverty and underdevelopment (measurement & indicators), unemployment, corruption, exploitation, social injustice and inequality. Distribution of resources & income, community based participatory development, acceptance and diffusion of innovation. Compatibility of market system, economic growth and development. Survival strategies of the poor , improved quality

SG 2010: Decentralization and Local Governance

It is to strengthen the capacity of development practitioners, policymakers, government line ministry staff and program managers, to engage in complex local governance processes. It will be able them to analyze the institutional context of decentralization and local governance with a specific focus on rural development, gender and power relations; to develop strategies to improve the involvement of different actors in local governance and rural development (including social and productive service delivery, land governance, natural resource management, local economic development); to challenge the impact of one’s own intervention and identify opportunities to contribute to change.

SG 2011: Political Economy of the Cambodian Transition

This course addresses the political economy of triangular transitions, examining how the much publicized international intervention to bring peace and democracy to Cambodia was disrupted by the poverty of the Cambodian economy and by the state's manipulation of the move to the free market. This analysis of the material basis of obstacles to Cambodia's democratization suggests that the long-established theoretical link between economy and democracy stands, even in the face of new strategies of international democracy promotion.

SG 2012: ASEAN Economies and Cambodian Societies

Socio-economic scenarios in ASEAN member countries. Critical analysis of the level of socio-economic development and relevance of economic strategies to regional economic relations. Emphasis on current economic policies and programs (AFTA), interaction with the world economy and application to contemporary issues (trade, finance, debt, globalization, regionalization).

SG 2013: Workshop on Guidelines for Research Thesis and Field Study Report Writing

Supervisor guidance. Identification of research field/issue. Literature review. Research methods. Research design, title and outline, approval of research proposal (explaining clearly the nature of the intended research project). Data collection and analysis. Thesis or Report writing. Final dissertation, Thesis defense, Report presentation. (This workshop has no credits)

SG 2014: Society, Gender and Development

This course offers theories to explain society, gender and development. The importance of gender awareness in development theory and practice. Power relationships and production of knowledge in a development context and its implications. Identification of gender and social issues in the Cambodian context.

SG 2015: Social Economy and Rural development

The course defines the complex world and a system of relationships which governs the life of the Third System and Non-profit Enterprises: strong local development policies, the creation of flexible employment, services to people, decentralized welfare, social cooperation, active citizenship and safeguarding of human rights. Fundamental dimensions of micro-economy for social and economic activities mainly carried out through cooperatives, mutual aid associations, community activities, voluntary associations, foundations, and similar organizations.

TH 2016: Master Research Thesis

Required length is from 90 to 100 pages. Students are expected to demonstrate an advanced standard of research, analytic and writing skills. Approved research thesis proposal required. Research & Thesis have to be developed with the continuous guidance and creative criticism of the supervisor.

Contact Info

Master Program Coordination Office
Room 007, RUPP Campus II, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities,
Russian Confederation Blvd. (110), Phnom Penh.
Tel: (855) 12 926 127/ 97 527 5 169/77 937 773/15 578 678
Email: thy.naroeun@rupp.edu.kh thynaroeun@gmail.com soc.mp@rupp.edu.kh

Student Life

Foreign students who are interested in studying in Cambodia should first approach their national government. read more...