Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences for Global Challenges
University of Pavia
Key Information
Campus location
Pavia, Italy
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 4,500 / per year **
Application deadline
12 Sep 2024*
Earliest start date
30 Sep 2024
* 3rd call | 1st call: 10/4/2024 | 2nd call: 30/5/2024
** for EU and non-EU students in Italy, based on family income and field of study, range from approximately 160 to 4000 EUR per year | non-EU students with valid study visas have a flat rate based on citizenship and field of study, ranging from 400 to 4
Introduction
The Bachelor’s Degree in “Social Sciences for Global Challenges” is completely taught in English and aims to train future experts on global challenges, such as biodiversity, health, climate change, population aging, migrations, and natural disasters.
The Degree Program offers the analytical instruments and the knowledge needed to understand the causes, nature, and development of political, economic, demographic, climate, and healthcare-related challenges, as well as the organizational competencies to work effectively in public administrations and international and national organizations.
"Social Sciences for Global Challenges” is a first step for training professionals able to analyze interconnected social, environmental, and organizational systems, interpret changes, and provide innovative solutions for local and international organizations by combining social science approaches and medical, environmental, and mathematical tools. “Social Sciences for Global Challenges” is linked with other national and international Master’s Degree Programs offered within the Department of Political and Social Sciences and at the University of Pavia.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Fee Waiver: exemption from the payment of the University tuition fee;
EDiSU Pavia Scholarship: The Edisu scholarship is open to all level applicants and includes accommodation in a Residence; one meal per day at the canteens; and a sum of money, according to the student’s economic situation.
“Invest your talent in Italy”: The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers scholarships to applicants from specific countries, fulfilling some merit requirements and enrolling in a Master’s Degree course in International Business and Entrepreneurship and 1 Vocational program in Cooperation and Development.
“Study in Italy”: The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also assigns scholarships to applicants from specific countries, fulfilling some merit requirements and enrolling in Master’s Degree and PhD programs.
Curriculum
“Social Sciences for Global Challenges” is structured around the following areas: political and social sciences, law, economics, history, statistics, and foreign languages, with additional competencies offered by socio-cultural anthropology, maths, epidemiology, and complexity theory.
The program follows a progressive, interdisciplinary academic path: while the first year provides students with the necessary knowledge and theoretical tools, the second and third years offer more specialized courses, and at the same time focus on the development of interdisciplinary and soft skills essential to operate in a multifaceted and international environment (including teamwork, critical argumentation, problem-solving).
First Year
- Contemporary History: Collective Trauma and Memory (9 credits) M- STO/04
- Political Science and Global Governance (12 credits) SPS/04
- Principles of Economics for Global Challenges (9 credits) SECS-P/01
- Data-Driven Approach in Social Sciences (9 credits) SECS-S/01
- Sociological Theory and Social Problems (9 credits) SPS/07
- Advanced English (6 credits) L-LIN/12
- Social and Cultural Anthropology (6 credits) M-DEA/01
Non-Italian students MUST include in the first year 6 credits in the Italian language unless they have already taken such a course elsewhere or have certification of knowledge of Italian. This course will replace the 6 credits of language courses in the third year.
Second Year
- Public Law and Emergency Communication (12 credits) IUS/09
- Comparative Public Law & Global Health (6 credits) IUS/21
- Maths for Social Sciences (6 credits) MAT/07
- Plus two of the following:
- Contemporary Democratic Theory (6 credits) SPS/01
- Environmental Ethics and Intergenerational Justice (6 credits) SPS/01
- Italy in the Globalization Process: Economic, Historical, and Political Issues (6 credits)
SPS/04
- Plus one of the following:
- Sustainable Societies: Social Inclusion, Environment and Well-being (6 credits) SPS/07
- Biodiversity and Restoration for Sustainable Societies (6 credits) SPS/09
- Plus two of the following:
- International Economics (6 credits) SECS-P/01
- Public Management of Global Emergencies (6 credits) SECS-P/08
- Population and Sustainability (6 credits) SECS-S/04
- Plus one of the following (6 credits):
- Lingua Francese 1
- Lingua Spagnola 1
- Lingua Tedesca 1
- Lingua Araba 1
- Lingua Chinese 1
- Lingua Giapponese 1
The teaching of these languages assumes an adequate knowledge of Italian. For this reason, foreign applicants whose Italian is not strong enough to follow one of these language courses are advised to take Italian language classes in their first year.
Third Year
- Law and Policies: European Green Deal and Global Challenges (6 credits) IUS/14
- Plus three of the following:
- Medical Anthropology (6 credits) M-DEA/01
- Statistical and Epidemiological Methods for Global Health (6 credits) MED/01
- Epidemics and Pandemics: Lessons from the Past for the Future (6 credits) MED/42
- Environmental Economics and Sustainability (6 credits) SECS-P/06
- Complexity Science and its Application (6 credits) FIS/07
- Plus one of the following (6 credits):
- Lingua Francese 2
- Lingua Spagnola 2
- Lingua Tedesca 2
- Lingua Araba 2
- Lingua Cinese 2
- Lingua Giapponese 2
- Corso di lingua italiana per studenti stranieri (Italian Language for Foreign Students)
A further 18 credits are to be covered, as a matter of student choice, by any graduate course(s) offered by the University irrespective of the language of instruction (including any of the above courses if not already chosen).
A period of work placement (stage), secured on students’ initiative (6 credits).
The University does not itself provide work placements for students. Rather, work placements are sought out by students on their initiative and are then recognized by the University with credits. Efforts by students to secure work placements are facilitated by conventions between the University of Pavia and specific institutions. Subject to approval, students may apply independently for an internship with some alternative organization. In the light of a successful application, the University will then aim to establish the necessary official convention between the University and the organization in question.
A Thesis (6 credits).
Disclaimer: Although changes in the study plan as described above are unlikely, the degree program is subject to periodic modifications in terms of individual courses or course descriptions. Degree programs for any given year are normally officially confirmed in April or May of the prior academic year. Any changes in the program will be reflected in immediate updates on this website.
Program Outcome
The program aims to train professionals who can contribute to the excellence and operational effectiveness of national and international organizations, public administrations, and third-sector organizations, particularly those dealing with global challenges (such as climate change, biodiversity, health, growing inequalities, migrations, and population aging). Students will be equipped to address the legal, social, political, and economic challenges that characterize complex organizations and develop a critical interpretation of ongoing change by drawing on the organizational models of international and private institutions (e.g. service providers, non-profit organizations, social enterprises).
Through the program, students will develop multidisciplinary competencies in the following areas: Political and Social Sciences, Law, Economics, History, Statistics, Anthropology, and Foreign Languages, with additional competencies in Maths, Epidemiology, and Complexity Theory. Students will be equipped with the necessary language and communication skills to engage effectively in academic and professional communication at both national and international levels. To this end, students will also have the opportunity to participate in several study abroad programs offered by the University of Pavia (Erasmus+ study, Erasmus traineeship, Overseas and extra-European international exchange programs). An Italian language course is additionally offered to foreign students.
The program follows a progressive, interdisciplinary academic path: while the first year provides students with the necessary knowledge and theoretical tools, the second and third years offer more specialized courses, and at the same time focus on the development of interdisciplinary and soft skills essential to operate in a multifaceted and international environment (including teamwork, critical argumentation, problem-solving). As a way to focus on specific interest areas, we offer a wide range of elective courses. The Degree Program also offers the opportunity to participate in curricular internships or training activities within national and internationally qualified organizations to provide a more practical and career-oriented experience.
At the end of the third year, students will write a research thesis under the supervision of a member of the Department.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
“Social Sciences for Global Challenges” addresses students who aspire to become professionals who can contribute to the excellence and operational effectiveness of national and international organizations, public administrations, and third-sector organizations, with specific reference to those involved with global challenges.