COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
MSA101 English and Writing Skills for Academic Purposes
Semester I
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.
MSA102 Quantitative Research Methods
Semester I
In this course, students examine quantitative data analysis, interpretation and presentation techniques. They explore the fundamental dimensions of empirical research, including survey planning and, data gathering techniques. They then put their learning into practice, by undertaking sample research problems, for which they formulate research plans and choose applicable research modes, strategies and techniques for the design, collection, analysis and reporting of empirical data.
MSA103 Advanced Social Theory
Semester I
In this course, students learn critical approaches to accessing the major sociological and anthropological theoretical frameworks. They investigate Structural-functionalism, conflict and dialectical theory, symbolic interactionism and phenomenological theory.
MSA104 Qualitative and Ethnographic Methods
Semester I
This course covers data collection techniques, including qualitative design, observation, interviews, local history, documentation, community surveys, focus groups, and PAR. Students also cover the analysis and interpretation of data obtained through in-depth and unstructured interviews, observations and other techniques.
MSA105 Statistical Data Analysis Skills
Semester I
This course focuses on the methods of applying quantitative and qualitative data to understand and interpret statistics in social science research. As part of this, students learn to make use of existing data to make recommendations for policy decisions, and to manage change.
MSA201 Development Theory and Practice
Semester II
In this course, students cover theories of development and aid, thus developing a better understanding of why some countries remain in poverty while others are rich. This subject explores economic growth vs. human development, the meaning of poverty, and concepts of modernization, dependency and neo-liberalism.
MSA202 Culture and Development
Semester II
This course allows students to understand the different aspects of culture, and how they are related to development. This will allow students to interpret culture in the context of development. As part of this, students learn about the cultures of minority people, cultural heritage and tourism.
MSA203 Social Demography & Population Dynamics
Semester II
In this course, students learn the basic concepts and operations of social demography. They cover the social implications of demographic structure and change, including population growth distribution and composition; social mobility; the social and economic determinants of power structures; labor force development and migration dynamics. They also study the interaction of human populations with natural resources and the environment, and learn to recognize the demographic factors which can affect food consumption and nutritional status.
MSA204 Local Knowledge and Sustainable Development
Semester II
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.
MSA205 Education and Development
Semester II
This course introduces students to the concept of education, and how it impacts on community development from a sociological perspective. Students analyze educational programs and their relationships with other institutions and phenomena, including family, government, religion, economy, demographic change, social class, gender, roles and processes in schools, and finally educational reform.
MSA301 Cambodia's Poverty Issues Analysis
Semester III
At the heart of this course lies an analysis of poverty, underdevelopment, unemployment, corruption, exploitation, social injustice and inequality in contemporary Cambodia, and the indicators which reveal them. Students learn about the distribution of resources and income; community based participatory development; acceptance and diffusion of innovation; the compatibility of market systems; and economic growth and development; before covering some survival strategies of the poor, and the indicators that show quality of life is improving.
MSA302 Rural Development and Social and Cultural Change in Cambodia
Semester III
In this course, students examine the dominant theories of social and cultural change. They analyze social inequalities, their roots in differences in status and power, and the systems of class, caste and ethnic ranking that can result from them. Students also examine the processes of social change and modernization in contemporary society, including the relationships between technology and social change, the impact of mass media and social communications in transforming social, cultural, religious, economic and political processes and development in Cambodia. Finally, students undertake an analysis of the phenomena of urbanization and industrialization, focusing on instances of stability and change in societies and economies.
MSA303 Rural Resource Management
Semester III
This course provides students with an awareness of the importance of resource management, including the management of land, forests, water and fisheries. Students compare and contrast between the traditional knowledge and resource management of local people and the rural resource management practices of the Western world. Students examine how successful resource management can lead to sustainable livelihoods and local rights; and explore resource conflicts, and how they can be resolved. Throughout the course, students focus on examples of rural resource management practices in Cambodia and neighboring countries.
MSA304 ASEAN Economies and Societies in Transition
Semester III
Students survey the socioeconomic indicators of various ASEAN member countries. They conduct a critical analysis of the level of socioeconomic development within ASEAN, and analyze the relevance of economic strategies to regional economic relations. Students analyze current economic policies and programs such as the role of AFTA; ASEAN’s interaction with the world economy; and ASEAN’s applicability to contemporary issues of trade, finance, debt, globalization and regionalization.
MSA305 Workshop on Guidelines for Research Thesis or Field Study Report Writing
Semester III
This workshop covers the guidelines for writing an in-depth research report or thesis. Students are introduced to the role of research supervisors, the identification of research fields and issues for study, literature reviews, research methods, research design, titles and outlines, research proposals, data collection and analysis, techniques for thesis and report writing, and the thesis defense and report presentation process.
MSA401 Society, Gender and Development
Semester IV
In this course, students examine various theories which explain the relationships between society, gender and development. They explore the importance of gender awareness in both development theory and practice, and come to understand the gendered nature of power relationships and production of knowledge in a development context, and its implications on developing societies. Finally, students identify major gender and social issues in the Cambodian context, analyze their causes and work towards possible solutions.
MSA402 Social Economy and Rural Development
Semester IV
In this course, students work towards understanding the complex processes and relationships which underpin the Third System and Non-Profit Enterprises, including strong local development policies, the creation of flexible employment, the provision of services to people, decentralized welfare, social cooperation, active citizenship and the safeguarding of human rights. Students also examine the fundamental dimensions of micro-economics within social and economic activities carried out through cooperatives, mutual aid associations, community activities, voluntary associations, foundations and similar organizations.
MSA403 Rural Social Structures in Cambodia
Semester IV
In this course, students identify, describe and analyze the changes currently faced by rural social structures, and how these relate to the social, economic, political and cultural life of rural populations. As part of this, students explore rural livelihoods, social structures and institutions including marriage, family and kinship systems, cultural systems, economic systems and political organizations within the rural context.
MSA404 Master Field Study Report
Individual Supervisor
Semester IV
Students undertaking the coursework degree path are required to submit a Field Study Report of 30 to 40 pages. The report is written with the guidance of a supervisor who has approved a field study proposal. Within their reports, students are expected to demonstrate a satisfactory standard of research, analysis and writing skill.
MSA501 Master Research Thesis
Individual Supervisor
Semesters IV & V
Students undertaking the Masters by Thesis stream research and present a thesis from 90 to 100 pages in length. The thesis is written with the guidance of a supervisor who has previously approved a thesis proposal. Within their theses, students are expected to demonstrate an advanced standard of research, analysis and writing skill.
