• The SOCO Faculty
• The Departments of the Faculty
  • Sciences Sociales et Sciences du travail
  • Political Science
• Programmes and Students in the Soco Faculty
• S'inscrire à l'ULB
• International Exchange Programme (PI SOCO)
• Scientific Research
• Staff
• Parc Didactique Informatique
• Offres d'emploi

Presentation of the Social Sciences Department

 
The Social Sciences Department at Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) teaches students to understand society and its challenges in all its multiple dimensions: the functioning of organisations and institutions, political life, collective action, conflicts, cultural diversity, practices and rituals of daily life, beliefs, social inequalities, social problems as defined by citizens and political leaders, and so on.
The different degree programmes aim to develop students' analytical skills and capacity for action in the different areas of social life, primarily grounded in two disciplines, sociology and anthropology.
During the three years of the first cycle leading to the bachelor's degree in sociology and anthropology, students acquire a broad-based background in sociology and anthropology. They may then pursue more in-depth studies, earning at the end of a second cycle a master's degree in sociology, anthropology, human resources management, or population and development science.
The bachelor's degree in sociology and anthropology provides a general and well-rounded course of study in these two disciplines, matched with courses in other fields (history, psychology, law, philosophy, economy, etc.) vital to the understanding of social contexts. In their third year, students choose an orientation in either sociology or anthropology. To improve students' language skills, English forms part of the programme all three years, as well as a second language of the student's choice.
 
Both the first and second cycles comprise lectures, exercises or seminars in small groups and individual work. The number of seminars, which allow students to interact with professors, and individual work opportunities has expanded over the years. In addition to the exercise groups, complementary guidance is organised for certain courses.
The Master's degree in sociology and the Master's degree in anthropology offer a number of orientations. Both offer a theoretical orientation in the discipline and an educational orientation which prepares students for a teaching career in secondary education. The master's in sociology may also be earned with a specialisation in applied sociology or in social work. The master's in anthropology offers a specialisation in anthropology of social dynamics in development contexts. The Master's in population and development science exists in two options: international cooperation and development policy. The Master's in human resources management offers a single orientation. The second cycle programme allows students to apply the knowledge acquired in practical social contexts and to begin learning the profession through: an internship in a research team or in a sociology working environment, the acquisition of practical skills through anthropological field work, a practical assignment in human resources management in a company, or a development cooperation internship, usually carried out abroad.
 
ULB's staff includes a number of renowned researchers in sociology and anthropology, grouped according to common interests within the Sociology Institute. Most of them – professors and assistants – teach in the department's social science programmes, contributing their wealth of expertise in areas such as: work, social policies, education, cities, migration, culture, health and development.
 
In the course of their studies, students have the possibility of spending a semester or a full year abroad (Erasmus programme), either during the third year of the bachelor's programme or during one year of the master's programme. The Social Sciences Department has concluded a number of agreements with European and non-European universities and can consequently offer students the opportunity to discover different cultures and teaching methods and to improve their language skills.
A degree in social sciences offers multiple career possibilities in both the private and public sphere and in a range of sectors: journalism, government, communication, social services, professional organisations, health, training, the associative sector, politics and business. Whichever specialisation they select, students develop the specific tools and skills enabling them to pursue careers in fields requiring research, consulting and innovative solutions. A degree in sociology or anthropology also opens the door to traditional research and teaching careers in these disciplines.