Curriculum

Content of the programme

The curriculum is divided into two parts: a first general, introductory part, and a second part aimed at specialisation. During the first part you will be introduced into the perspective of Science and Technology Studies (STS) and Innovation Studies. The organization of this first part depends on the local structure of the university. For example, at some universities this part takes one semester which is divided in five modules of four weeks each. At other universities the first part is embedded in a two-year Master program. See for details the local webpages of the ESST Universities.

No matter these differences, all ESST students will spent a full semester to write a thesis in an area of specialisations offered by the ESST network. In most cases, this will involve moving to one of the other ESST universities in Europe.

First part

This part will introduce the student into topics and literature related to the field of STS. The organization of this part differs from university to university, but generally focus on:

Sociology of Society, Science and technology
Anthropology of Science and technology
Historical perspectives on scientific and technological change
Innovation Studies
The politics of knowledge

Specialization semester

The second part is spent at your home-university or at one of the partner-universities of the ESST network. This depends on the specialization you have selected to study your field of interest in greater depth. In this second part you receive an introductory course in the area of specialization and you will spent your remaining time preparing your Master thesis. For information on second semester specializations see: specializations.