RIGA STRADIŅŠ UNIVERSITY
DOCTORAL
STUDY PROGRAMME
SOCIOLOGY
Code of the programme – 51310
Riga – 2010
Contents
Application…………………………………………………………...... 3
Self-evaluation of the Doctoral Study Programme “Sociology” ……………………..4
Descriptions of the Study Courses…………………………………...... 43
CV of the Academic staff…………………………………………………………....75
Estimates of the Study Costs …………………………………………...... 124
Agreement with the University of Latvia on the Takeover
of the Study Programme ...... 125
Intent Agreements with Non-Staff Lecturers………………………………………..126
Accreditation List on Rights to Implement the Doctoral Study Programme „Sociology”……………………………………………...... 130
Copy of the Educational Institution Registration Certificate………………………..131
Annexes:
1. Instructions on RSU Doctoral Studies…………………………………...... 133
2. Doctoral Student’s Record Book ………………………………………….141
3. A List of Doctoral Students and the Themes of Doctoral Thesis...... 147
4. Admission Requirements etc...... 149
5. Conventions for Writing Doctoral Thesis...... 155
6. Testimony on Aquisition of Doctoral Study Programme ...... 159
7. List of Documents Available at the Division of Doctoral Studies ...... 160
Application
for reaccreditation of the Doctoral Study Programme “Sociology”
Name of the institution of higher education: Riga Stradins University..
Legal address of the higher education institution and phone number: Dzirciema 16, Riga, LV-1007; phone: 7409224.
The number of registration certificate for the institution of higher education: 3341202042.
Name of the study rogramme: Sociology.
Code of the study programme: 51310.
Duration of the study programme: 3 years.
Volume of the study programme: 120 credit points.
Admission requirements: Master’s degree in social sciences or humanities or an equivalent degree.
Degree resulted: Doctor of social sciences (Dr. Sc.Ssoc.).
Place of programme implementation: Riga Stradiņš University.
Type of the study programme: full-time studies.
Head of the study programme: Assoc. Prof. Ritma Rungule.
Authorized persons: head of RSU doctoral study programme “Sociology” Assoc.Prof. Ritma Rungule, Assoc.Prof. Andris Vilks.
SELF-EVALUATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME
Classification Code: 51310 (sociology)
1. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE DOCTORAL STUDY PROGRAMME
The aim of the study programme:
The aim of RSU doctoral study programme is to prepare highly qualified specialists corresponding to international standards in Sociology. In compliance with Riga Stradins University (RSU) Instructions on Doctoral Studies, studies at RSU are doctoral student’s independent work under guidance of scientific supervisor and academic staff to receive a doctoral degree.
Since social policy is one of the research priorities at RSU, and there are three departments which are involved in the implementation of the doctoral study programme „Sociology”: Departments of Sociology and Psychology (Faculty of Communication) and the Department of Communication Studies as well as the Department of Social Work (Faculty of Rehabilitation), the aim of the programme is to implement an in-depth studies in three directions essential for Riga Stradiņš University, implementing in each of them, according to the Bologna process, successive studies at bachelor, master and doctoral level programmes :
- Social Policy and Organization of Social Work
- Sociology of Health and Medicine
- Sociology of Culture and Mass Communication
Objectives of the study programme:
- To train specialists who would be able, at a high level of competence, to analyze, systematize, contextually and inclusive interpret empirical observations, linking them to the classical and modern theoretical concepts, and who, basing on their scientific and logical skills, would be able to engage in professional development of sociology social policy and social work, sociology of health and medicine as well as sociology of culture and mass communication;
- to promote integration of doctoral students’ scientific activities in an innovative environment, thereby promoting research productivity and competitiveness in both Latvian and international circulation;
- to develop doctoral students’ teaching skills in order to work as highly-qualified lecturers in both Latvian and foreign universities.
2. EVALUATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF INTERNATIONAL, LATVIAN NATIONAL AND RSU INTERESTS
Doctoral study programme „Sociology” is implemented in compliance with LR Law on Institutions of Higher Education, Law on Scientific Activity, Education Law, Medical Treatment Law, Cabinet Regulations on Procedure and Criteria for Conferral of a Doctoral Degree, RSU Constitution, decisions of RSU Senate and Instruction on RSU Doctoral Studies. Topicality of the programme is determined by those trends in Europe and the whole world, which are characterized by emphasis on the problems of human quality of life as well as necessity to solve local, regional and international problems from this point of view applying modern theories and methodology.
The academic staffs of RSU Faculties of Rehabilitation and Communication as well as doctoral students take part in finding solutions to the problem in a variety of ways. Already the third international interdisciplinary conference organized by the Faculty of Rehabilitation SOCIETY, HEALTH, WELFARE within Latvian Rehabilitation Days, on November 11 and 12, 2010, proves the fact that RSU is becoming an international centre for social policy research. Researchers, academic staff and doctoral students from the USA, the UK, Austria, Russia, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania and other countries took part in previous conferences. There are representatives from several countries on the editorial board of the Conference proceedings and publications. In October this year RSU Faculty of Communication together with Frederick Eberhard Foundation are organizing an international interdisciplinary conference „Old” and “New” Poverty in Latvia and the World; Analysis of the Situation and Search for Perspective”.
RSU doctoral study programme „Sociology” does not duplicate the doctoral study programme in sociology at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Latvia, as the chosen research directions are closely linked to the RSU priority directions and the competence of RSU academic staff and its fields of research. RSU doctoral study programme „Sociology” cannot be considered as competitor to the respective UL programme in terms of student attraction because there are not many doctors in sociology in Latvia. Therefore the increasing number of specialists with the doctoral degree in the closest years can only foster the development of sociology and rising of its prestige.
The doctoral study programme to be reaccredited - “Sociology” fully conforms to the strategic aims of Riga Stradiņš University. The vision of these aims is a modern, prestigious, internationally recognized university in the field of healthcare and social sciences, where the main value is a man, and the mission 1) to prepare highly qualified specialists in the field of health care and social sciences for Latvia, European Union and the society of whole world so that knowledge, skills and attitude which have been acquired during studies correspond to the EU requirements and human traditions; as well as so that this education serves as a solid basis for life-long learning; 2) to develop scientific activity according to the RSU profile thus laying the foundation for acquisition of the status of a research university.
The programme confirms a real integration of social and medical sciences, towards which RSU is moving consistently and determinedly.
The student potential of the doctoral study programme to be reaccredited is mainly formed by students of master study programmes from the Faculty of Rehabilitation and the Faculty of Communication. The Department of Social Work at the Faculty of Rehabilitation implements the master study programme „Social Work”; the Department of Communication studies at the Faculty of Communication - master programmes „Communication Sciences” and „Strategic Management and Management of Public Relations”. Doctoral students and doctoral graduates are involved in the implementation of bachelor and master study programmes at the above mentioned departments, and this promotes their participation in the development of the doctoral study programme „Sociology”.
The study programme complies with the Regulations for National Academic Standards. It respects the strategic aim of academic education: to provide students with such theoretical knowledge and research skills which would enable them to carry out independent, high-quality research in the selected scientific field and subdiscipline.
A large part of the doctoral students and doctoral graduates are employed by the same departments which are involved in the implementation of the study programme as well as other RSU Departments. At present, the doctoral programme prepares specialists for implementation of the study process and research work not only at RSU but also to other higher educational establishments of Latvia, municipalities, ministries and other institutions.
3. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGES SINCE THE PREVIOUS
ACCREDITATION
RSU doctoral programme Sociology which was licensed on December 16th, 2004th, started its actual activity on June 27th, 2005 when the first students were admitted. It was accredited for the first time on April 5th, 2006, the second time - on November 5th, 2008.
The programme to be reaccredited is a logical result of five- year work. Already during accreditation process (2006) of the very first programme, the experts, among many others, formulated the following recommendations:
„The programme should be specified and clearly focus on those areas of social life that are directly associated with the basic profile of Riga Stradins University - medicine. These directions may be, for example, social problems in medicine, social work, problems of social rehabilitation, etc.”
The Chairman of the Expert Committee, Prof. Arvydas Matulionis (Lithuania) noted: „The aims and objectives of the study programme lack consistency, they are too vague, since the study programme tries to cover almost all possible sociological subdisciplines. This contravenes the real academic potency of Riga Stradiņs University. Obviously, the study programme should be made more specific. Discussions with the university representatives at all levels let us draw the conclusion that the direction of the doctoral studies could be social work and sociology of medicine. Such definition of study direction would be organically connected with the background of Riga Stradiņs University - medicine.”
Similar conclusions were drawn during the second accreditation of the programme (2008). The chairman of the Expert Committee Prof. Arvydas Matulionis concluded: “The study programme is now more closely associated with various medical areas – rehabilitation, health of pupulation, psychotherapy, etc. Thus, the accumulated potential of Riga Stradiņs University is used more efficiently. However, only a quarter of all doctoral theses is related to this research direction... So it is obvious that this programme needs improvement in the field of social work and social policy.“
Prof. Lauri Leppik (Estonia) pointed: „According to the self-evaluation report (p 4), social policy and organization of social work have been selected as the priority direction for the doctoral programme. In my view, such priority direction is welcomed as it will allow for synergy with other RSU fields of study and will give clearly differentiated focus in comparison to the University of Latvia.
So it is possible to conclude that the experts have clearly indicated that the programme should focus more on those areas in which Riga Stradins University is the centre of competence in Latvia - on the social dimension of health and medicine, social work and social policy in particular, also including communication aspects.
In order to fulfil this aim significant organizational activities have been carried out at RSU.
1. In the educational part of the study programme, mandatory and optional study subject related to the specialization lines have been distinguished more precisely. Consequently, the structure of the program has become clearer. The amount of credit point has been changed for some study subjects.
2. The expert recommendation- movement towards specialization in social work and sociology of health and medicine has been met.
3. The experts’ idea about the synergy with other RSU fields of studies is being improved in the process of programme development. Social policy, social work, sociology of health and medicine are being linked to the third line of study – Sociology of Culture and Communication. The basis for such approach is difficult to challenge consideration that social policy, social work, sociology of health and medicine sociology are becoming more topical in themes related to culture and communication. A number of doctoral theses themes as well as researches conducted by the academic staff at RSU convince of this.
4. Programme evaluation experts have repeatedly stressed that the program should involve a larger number of doctors in sociology. At present, 7 doctors in social sciences have been involved (of which 5 in Sociology – V.Volkovs, V.Meņšikovs, R.Rungule, A.Rožukalne, A.Lūse) and one Dr.Phil. in social work (S.Dobelniece), as well as expert in social work at the Commission of Strategic Analysis of Republic of Latvia Dr.phil. L.Vilka.
5. A Considerable progress has been ascertained in the area of defended and recommended for the defence doctoral thesis. One dissertation for acquisition of a doctoral degree in sociology has been defended (A.Rožukalne) and five dissertations have entered promotion process (A.Stankevičs, M.Moors, R.Šmite, S.Mežinska un V.Sīlis).
6. International cooperation of the programme to be reaccredited has significantly broadened and deepened since the previous accreditation (2008). Thus, one more shortcoming of the programme is being is being gradually eliminated.
7. It was detected during the previous accreditation, that the teaching staffs of the programme insufficiently take part in research projects. It must be admitted, that such impression could have arisen in experts because of insufficient representation of this aspect in the materials of previous accreditation. Now, this shortcoming in the accreditation materials has been eliminated - involvement of the teaching staff and doctoral students in different projects has been shown in details.
8. Documents which regulate doctoral studies, in which the experts for the study programme to be reaccredited found shortcomings, have been made more precise.
4. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME
Duration of studies is three years, attainable volume of credit points - 120 CP. Doctoral student can be matriculated to doctoral programme for five calendar years. After completion of studies , the doctoral student is issued a certificate about completion of doctoral studies. After a successfully defence of the doctoral thesis, doctoral students are awarded a doctoral degree in Social Sciences in Sociology (Dr.Sc.Soc.).
Requirements for the admission to the study programme is a master’s degree in humanities or its equivalent. Entrance examinations are organized in accordance with Regulations Governing Admission to Doctoral Study Progammes. In evaluation of candidates’ applications the following points are taken into account: expert’s assessment, the study of the theme, presentation of the application. Doctoral Studies are organized by the RSU Doctoral Division in accordance with Riga Stradiņš University Instructions on Doctoral Studies (approved by the RSU Senate meeting on October 20, 2009).