What are the aspirations and objectives of the Master in Social TransFormation - PPE?

The Master in Social TransFormation – Politics, Philosophy & Economics is situated in, and responds to, calls of our current time and for a more sustainable future to come.

Our present economic and socio-political situation and its complex globalized context, is characterized by a multiple crisis, unethical practices and unsustainable developments. Understanding and dealing with these realities require a more integral approach and holistic perspectives.

On the academic and public policy fronts, this is due to the fact that conventional theoretical and empirical approaches are fragmented, oftenmerely focusing on one specialized discipline, which is inadequate. Isolated perspectives are insufficient for a much needed comprehensive and inter- and transdisciplinary understanding of the pressing political, social and cultural as well as ecological/economic challenges we face.

Furthermore, with the emergence of new forms of populism, nationalism, and the rising tide of authoritarianism, and fundamentalism, democratic institutions are weakened and civic liberties restricted. Accordingly, there is a growing need for thinking and acting in terms of a post-national and intercultural orientation, especially concerning meaningful policy-making and collective-decision-making.

Based on these developments and needs, the overarching objective of this master program is to qualify students to become adept andresponsible that is ethically reflective leaders (or being part of team-leadership or distributed leadership practices), who can analyse critically and deal with uncertain, conflictual or ambiguous situations and problems in our complexified world. Studying the master program “Master in Social TransFormation – Politics, Philosophy & Economics” enables one to critically analyze, understand and reflect in a holistic way.

This study course starts in October (fall semester).

 

Fact sheet on the study program

All at a glance

Application Deadline

EU: 1. Sept., non-EU: 15. Jul. or later, depending on the visa process of your home country

Study program start

September

Study Duration

4 semesters

Tuition fee

790 € / month

Total ECTS

120

Taught in

English

Lectures

Thursday evening, Friday to Saturday noon (as well as block seminars)

 

Content of the Master in Social TransFormation - PPE

What will be emphasised, throughout the study, is the exercise of critical reasoning as well as developing the capability of judgement. Connected to this astute reflexivity on societal, political and economic or organizational questions, issues and problems, will be the learning of more practical skills. These skills serve communicating and implementing ideas, decisions, and policies as well as assessing their efficacy. Thus, the emphasis is laid on a theoretically rigorous and critical investigation, together with a practical orientation, both related to real world challenges of our time and for a future to come.

Following the self-understanding of Karlshochschule as a place of higher education the overarching goal is bringing out an educated, emotional and socially intelligent person,who contributes responsibly to the transformation of civic society and economy.

Studying "Master in Social TransFormation – Politics, Philosophy & Economics" is not only about acquiring a diverse set of knowledge, but much more about the ability to change perspectives and to study in a cross-disciplinary fashion in order to understand interdependencies and interconnected dimensions in real world, applicable way.  

As part of an integral education with this study program at Karls University as an “university of the future”, it provides a transformative civic education or “Bildung”.This education aims at contributing to a rethinking, reimaging and redoing as well as reintegrating of the political, economic and philosophical realms whilst being practically informed. Moreover, these re-orientations are also about redesigningalternative ways of living, recreating a world beyond capitalism as we know it, serving as a pathway for legitimized reform of the political and economic life-worlds.

Overall the study program aspires to mediate a transformation towards SustainableDevelopment for a more just, wiser world to come on various levels and in a plurality of enriching ways.

The Structure

The first semester teaches the fundamentals of the three disciplines at the micro level:

  • Philosophy: Introduction Philosophy of Action
  • Politics: Introduction Political Action & Agency
  • Economics: Introduction Behavioral Economics

After this advanced introductory phase, the following meso-level topics are taught in the second semester:

  • Philosophy: Relational Practices and Political Philosophy of Resonance, Resistance & Responsibility
  • Politics: Political Practices, Social Movement & Civic Engagement
  • Economics: Alternative Organizational & Socio-Economic Practices

In the third semester, topics follow on the macro or mundo level:

  • Philosophy: Integral Practical Wisdom & Global Justice
  • Politics: Integral Political Institutions & Global Governance
  • Economics: Integral Pluralist, Global Economics

PPE – Master in Social TransFormation: The Modules

The main (mandatory) modules are like a backbone, which are complemented by two out of the following five specializations that are elective modules partly in connection with the Master's program:

> Brands & Stories
> Human Resources & Diversity
> Digital Media
> Sustainability & Urban Development
> Globalization, Governance & Trade

The design is organised for and will be enlivened by those, who care about shaping the world we live in and becoming a game changer! Accordingly, the program serves both to develop the capacity to think beyond current confines and to engage – in a theoretically informed and philosophically reflective way – with developments in the real political and economic life-worlds. That is, studying here is both being a visionary for a possible world, and also working within the parameters of the possible.

Specialization I

5 ECTS

Specialization II

5 ECTS

Introduction Political Action, Agency & Affect

5 ECTS

Introduction Philosophy of Action

5 ECTS

Introduction Behavioural Economics

5 ECTS

Leading Yourself - Personal Capabilities

5 ECTS

Specialization I

5 ECTS

Specialization II

5 ECTS

Political Practices, Social Movement & Civic Engagement

5 ECTS

Relational Practices and Political Philosophy of Resonance, Resistance & Responsibility

5 ECTS

Alternative Organisational & Socio-Economic Practices

5 ECTS

Leading Others - Power, Conflict and Negotiation

5 ECTS

Specialization I

5 ECTS

Specialization II

5 ECTS

Integral Political Institutions & Global Governance

5 ECTS

Integral, Practical Wisdom & Global Justice

5 ECTS

Integral Pluralist, Global Economics

5 ECTS

Leading Change - Creativity, Improvisation & Play

5 ECTS

Special Issue (Transformative Research Project) or Internship (Transformative Practice Project)

5 ECTS

Research Colloquium

2 ECTS

Master Thesis

20 ECTS

Personal Transformation - Lifelong Learning

3 ECTS

Your job opportunities for Social TransFormation – PPE are unlimited:

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