Altana Go

After one year studying in SDAC, I can undoubtedly say that joining the program was not only a great opportunity to learn new disciplines from knowledgeable professors and staff but also be a part of an international community of incredibly warm and open-minded people.

Throughout the first two semesters, we had classes related to anthropology, gender studies, sociology, Chinese studies, and political science. An interdisciplinary curriculum allows students to make connections between ideas and concepts from various disciplines, giving them a new perspective for their master’s thesis. As most students from our cohort did not have previous academic background in these fields, the introductory courses have helped to shine a light on interdisciplinary methodologies and social and cultural dimensions of decision-making. Due to small groups and friendly classroom environment, the students are often engaged in lively discussions about articles and provide their own reflection. Personally, I find it fascinating how students from various academic and cultural backgrounds complement and add a new perspective to your own understanding of the material. In this regard, I am thankful to professors, staff and my peers for their significant contribution to our classes and support both inside and outside the programme.

Besides mandatory classes, you can also choose elective courses in the program or FAU depending on your interests. The curriculum is complemented with the Guest Lecture Series, where invited specialists talk about their research topics closely related to decision-making and interact with students. Moreover, the program provides a series of workshops which help not only with your studies but also with enhancing the highly sought-after soft skills such as effective communication, public speaking, and time-management.

If you are interested in cultural studies and the meaning of decision-making in the past and present, this is an amazing opportunity for you to apply and join us!