Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Why this programme

Power, Publics and Engagement

What does this study entail?

Public issues such as global warming, racism, transphobia or capitalist exploitation are shaped far beyond conventional political arena's. In this programme, you’ll learn how such issues are, shaped by the multifarious workings of power, including the ways power works through capital, gender, whiteness and logistical infrastructures. You’ll also learn how people struggle against power, and the programme is designed to cater to your own interests and engagements. It leaves lots of choice to work on topics of your choosing in writing assignments and discussion in small groups, with lots of time with the core teachers in the programme.

Is this the right programme for you?

This programme:

  • provides the tools to critically analyze the key issues of today;
  • works from, and helps develop, students own engagement with those issues;
  • has dedicated professors, awarded with the best teacher awards by students in their department, and with experience in public social science;
  • has small-scale, interactive tutorials, with lots of attention for the individual student;
  • improves students’ ability to meaningfully work with people who come from a variety of backgrounds and have different types of expertise
  • The Social Sciences Department of Erasmus University Rotterdam ranks the highest of all of the continental European universities in the Shanghai Ranking

Testimonials

Prof.dr. Willem Schinkel

Prof.dr. Willem Schinkel - Coordinator of the programme

Ours is a time of global warming, racism and sexism, and omnipresent ‘smart’ technologies impacting our lives. We need people able to analyse how such issues are publicly contested and engaged with.

Prof.dr. Willem Schinkel

Coordinator of the programme

Ours is a time of global warming, racism and sexism, and omnipresent ‘smart’ technologies impacting our lives. We need people able to analyse how such issues are publicly contested and engaged with.

David van der Veen

David van der Veen - Alumnus Power, Publics and Engagement

The Power, Publics and Engagement track at Erasmus University Rotterdam comes to life due to the international character of the city and the student body at the university.
David van der Veen - Student Engaging Public Issues

David van der Veen

Alumnus Power, Publics and Engagement

The Power, Publics and Engagement track at Erasmus University Rotterdam comes to life due to the international character of the city and the student body at the university.

I was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia and came to The Netherlands when I was eighteen to pursue further higher education. After having completed a Bachelor's degree, I was looking for a Master's programme that would help me understand the underlying problems of society within an international framework with the hopes of one day returning to Indonesia and contributing to the country’s development. More specifically my aim is to help further emancipate LGBTQ+ communities in Indonesia and around the world.

The Master's of Sociology, Power, Publics and Engagement (PPE), was the best study choice I could have made. Currently I’m busy with my final thesis, but I’ve learned a lot from the study. PPE has given me the skills to help analyse not just singular issues, but how multiple issues connect to form larger problems in society. These problems range from human rights and poverty to climate change and racism, all contemporary challenges and issues today in need of urgent action recognition. Aside from skills learnt into analysing different specific connecting issues, PPE has provided the groundwork for me to go into the field of LGBT empowerment abroad with its international focus on issues.

Furthermore, the PPE track at Erasmus University Rotterdam comes to life due to the lively character of the city. There are always events, activities and other fun happenings taking place in Rotterdam which is a greatly enriches the experience of students. In addition to that The Netherlands is a great place to study because of its student friendly made environment. Biking being a common habit here is a cheap, easy, and an environmentally friendly way of making yourself around the city.

Studying PPE at Erasmus University Rotterdam in The Netherlands has certainly been memorable so far, given the content of the study itself as well as the rich environment that it surrounds itself in.

David van der Veen - Student Engaging Public Issues

Statement against Anti-Black Racism and White Supremacy

Read our statement regarding our ongoing efforts to counter and abolish anti-Black racism and white supremacy within the Power, Publics and Engagement (PPE) master track in sociology at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Not sure yet about your choice? Request a brochure!

Choosing a study is quite a challenge! Still in doubt about this study and want to have a good overview? Receive a clear digital brochure for this study.

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