Type:
Master
Speciality:
031501.01.7 - Cultural Studies
Specialisation:
031501.01.7 - Cultural Studies
Qualification awarded:
Master’s degree in Cultural Studies
Programme academic year:
2025/2026
Mode of study:
Full time
Language of study:
Հայերեն
1. Admission criteria/requirements
For those with Bachelor’s degrees in the same specialty, admission is held without exams, and applicants with related specialties should take an exam. The admission is carried out according to YSU’s regulations on Master’s degree admission for the 2016/2017 academic year.
2. Programme Objectives
. to prepare specialists who are familiar with the theory, history, and role of culture, modern cultural processes at the theoretical, methodological, and research levels, and are oriented to the organization and management of cultural life,
· to provide in-depth knowledge of theoretical and methodological issues related to culture, global, regional, and historical manifestations of Armenian culture, the role of Armenian identity, cultural heritage, and the policy towards it,
· to form research theoretical and methodological skills to validate, examine, and present modern cultural processes in Armenia and neighboring countries, cultural components and manifestations of economic, political, social, religious-ritual, and entertainment processes, theoretical and practical issues of cultural policy, and their applied aspects.
· to provide in-depth knowledge of theoretical and methodological issues related to culture, global, regional, and historical manifestations of Armenian culture, the role of Armenian identity, cultural heritage, and the policy towards it,
· to form research theoretical and methodological skills to validate, examine, and present modern cultural processes in Armenia and neighboring countries, cultural components and manifestations of economic, political, social, religious-ritual, and entertainment processes, theoretical and practical issues of cultural policy, and their applied aspects.
3. Educational outcomes of the programme
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- reproduce fundamental and systematic theoretical and methodological knowledge about cultural studies, cultural anthropology, cultural theory, and history.
- present basic knowledge about traditional and modern Armenian identity definitions, world perception complexes and functional mechanisms, identity symbolic systems, identity formation models.
- present the cultural image of the region, the history, and identity of Armenian culture, and its civilizational face, reproduce theoretical and methodological knowledge regarding the cultural manifestations of migration processes taking place in the modern region.
- demonstrate extensive knowledge of the theoretical and practical foundations of social anthropology, cross-cultural communication, national minority cultures, human ethology, religious processes, holidays, rituals, cultural business, cultural entertainment, and cultural tourism, and their role in today's Armenian life.
- analyze the existing scientific studies on the interdependence and manifestations of politics and culture, the main definitions and manifestations of cultural policy and cultural heritage, the international and Armenian experience of the field.
- present the cultural aspects and possible solutions to problems arising in state and public life, as well as the mechanisms of effective communication about cultural problems.
- perform an independent examination of Armenian cultural processes, describe the traditional and modern mechanisms of identity.
- describe the processes of intercultural communication, recognize obstacles and propose effective solutions, conduct research on cultural aspects of behavioral manifestations.
- validate and evaluate the cultural basis of religious and social processes, research, to make suggestions regarding festive and entertainment processes.
- draw up and implement programs related to social structures and processes, socio-cultural life of national minorities, evaluate the effectiveness of implemented programs.
- describe and evaluate the interactions between politics and culture, manifestations of Armenian cultural heritage.
- perform a cultural analysis of modern migration processes.
- use various sources of information (libraries, Internet resources, scientific monographs, and articles).
- conduct cultural-sociological observations and surveys, describe cultural processes, monuments of material and immaterial culture, museum artifacts.
- formulate the purpose and problems of the research, choose the necessary methods of collecting and examining materials.
- creatively apply acquired knowledge, perceive and disseminate new ones.
- write reports, present research results, conduct scientific debates.
- observe the norms of professional ethics.
- master a foreign language to the extent necessary to extract information of a professional nature from foreign language sources.
4. Assessment methods
Based on the workload of the courses provided by the curriculum of the educational program, the mode of study, teaching methods, and taking into account the degree of importance of the course in the formation of professional knowledge and abilities of the student, the courses are divided into 4 groups according to the evaluation form:
a) with the final assessment,
b) without final assessment,
c) without mid-term exams,
d) check-up
Accordingly, the evaluation components of the given course and the points allocated to them are chosen by the teaching professor and approved by the chair. The assessment and exam types are indicated in the specification of the given educational program.
At the end of the program, students submit a thesis for defense.
a) with the final assessment,
b) without final assessment,
c) without mid-term exams,
d) check-up
Accordingly, the evaluation components of the given course and the points allocated to them are chosen by the teaching professor and approved by the chair. The assessment and exam types are indicated in the specification of the given educational program.
At the end of the program, students submit a thesis for defense.
5. Graduates future career opportunities
Graduates of the Master's program can work in institutions related to cultural studies, management, organization of cultural life, and cultural business, such as scientific research institutions, museums, secondary and higher education institutions, institutions dealing with cultural management, cultural life organization, cultural business (regional and city departments of culture, houses of culture, tourist agencies, etc.).
Graduates of the program can continue their studies at the YSU Chair of Cultural Studies, RA NAS Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, and RA NAS Institutes related to Armenian studies and cultural research.
Graduates of the program can continue their studies at the YSU Chair of Cultural Studies, RA NAS Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, and RA NAS Institutes related to Armenian studies and cultural research.
6. Resources and forms to support learning
Computer presentations, printed/electronic materials, and audio/video files are provided throughout the studies, as well as museum lectures/practical trainings are organized in cultural areas and monuments of Yerevan and nearby.
7. Educational standards or programme benchmarks used for programme development
When developing the program, the characteristics presented for the 7th level of the RA National Framework of Qualifications, the "Manual for the Development of YSU Educational Programs" prepared by the YSU Quality Assurance Center, the "Guide for filling out the Educational Program Specification and Course Descriptors" and other materials were used.
8. Requirements for the academic staff
General Abilities
Teaching/Pedagogical
· Ability to formulate course outcomes, goals, and aims.
· Ability to organize interactive courses with students
· Mastery of pedagogical methods of theoretical and practical knowledge transfer
Research
· Ability to conduct research and transfer this experience to students
. Ability to develop students' analytical thinking, capacities working with theoretical literature, collecting materials, analyzing, and drawing conclusions
· Skill in correct selection and application of teaching, research, and study methods
· Experience in driving research work in line with new scientific approaches and challenges
· Potential to develop and implement joint research projects with scientists from other countries
Communication
· Ability to form partnerships with students
· Ability to work individually with students
ICT application
· basic computer skills (fluency in MS Office package: Word, Excel, Power-Point),
· Ability to use various Internet sources, and Moodle
Professional abilities
1. Availability of comprehensive theoretical and methodological knowledge within the scope of the taught subject
2. Research skills, ability to design and implement research, to find methodological solutions
3. Ability to inform students of modern scientific achievements and cultural processes
4. Cultural aspects and possible solutions to problems arising in state and public life, mastering the mechanisms of effective communication about cultural problems.
General Requirements:
Degree
· degree in the Social Sciences
Pedagogical experience
· teaching experience is highly desirable
· participation in local or international training and/or professional qualification improvement courses during the last 5 years
Teaching/Pedagogical
· Ability to formulate course outcomes, goals, and aims.
· Ability to organize interactive courses with students
· Mastery of pedagogical methods of theoretical and practical knowledge transfer
Research
· Ability to conduct research and transfer this experience to students
. Ability to develop students' analytical thinking, capacities working with theoretical literature, collecting materials, analyzing, and drawing conclusions
· Skill in correct selection and application of teaching, research, and study methods
· Experience in driving research work in line with new scientific approaches and challenges
· Potential to develop and implement joint research projects with scientists from other countries
Communication
· Ability to form partnerships with students
· Ability to work individually with students
ICT application
· basic computer skills (fluency in MS Office package: Word, Excel, Power-Point),
· Ability to use various Internet sources, and Moodle
Professional abilities
1. Availability of comprehensive theoretical and methodological knowledge within the scope of the taught subject
2. Research skills, ability to design and implement research, to find methodological solutions
3. Ability to inform students of modern scientific achievements and cultural processes
4. Cultural aspects and possible solutions to problems arising in state and public life, mastering the mechanisms of effective communication about cultural problems.
General Requirements:
Degree
· degree in the Social Sciences
Pedagogical experience
· teaching experience is highly desirable
· participation in local or international training and/or professional qualification improvement courses during the last 5 years
