Universidad Santo Tomás

Sociología 2022-2
Sociología en África, Medio Oriente, Asia y Oceanía.
Juan David Saavedra Hurtado

Licenciatura en Sociología de la Universidad Nazarbayev

Among all the universities that offer sociology programs in the regions of Africa, the Middle
East, Asia and Oceania, one of them stands out. Nazarbayev University is located in the city
of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, a country in Central Asia. It is an internationally
renowned research university that combines education and innovation on a state-of-the-art
21st century campus. Fellows conduct research in a variety of fields and bring the most
ambitious projects to life. The research is supported by internal and external funding each
year, and is carried out in modern laboratories. English as the language of instruction and
research at Nazarbayev University, the admission and progression systems are entirely merit-
based.

The model for the strategic development of Nazarbayev University is based primarily on a
partnership with the best universities in the world. Each of the University's schools and
research centers has been developed in cooperation with leading universities and research
institutions. The university aims to promote the internationalization of the entire university
through international cooperation, partnerships, the positioning of the University in the global
arena of higher education, and the international support of students, faculty, and staff. Partner
universities include: University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA), Duke University, Fuqua
School of Business (USA), National University of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew School of
Public Policy (Singapore) , the University of Pennsylvania (USA), the University of
Cambridge (UK), Colorado School of Mines (USA), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
(USA), Lawrence National Laboratory Berkeley (USA) and the associated universities of
Oak Ridge (USA).

To date, Nazarbayev University has published more than 2,500 pieces in a variety of study
areas, including technology and science. Of these studies, nearly 12.6% are now in the top
10% of most cited publications worldwide thanks to collaborations with students and faculty
from 1,100 international institutions and 268 research and teaching laboratories.

In this order, there is among the different faculties of the university the Faculty of Social
Sciences, which is guided by the vision of the University to develop the intellectual and
social capital of Kazakhstan to help the development of the country. The unique breadth of
the School reflects the belief that the great questions of modern life require complex
solutions. Students graduate with a deep knowledge in their chosen fields that is
complemented by an intellectual breadth that enables them to find truly innovative solutions
to the challenges they face.

The academic staff of the Faculty of Sciences and Humanities at Nazarbayev University is
composed of scholars with doctoral degrees from leading universities around the world.
There are also researchers involved in various studies, and our natural science scientists
conduct research in over 90 laboratories. Some of the faculty members even specialize in
Eurasian studies. Admitted students can be sure to draw on the wealth of knowledge and
experience of our faculty, both inside and outside the classroom.

Classes are kept small so students can receive personalized attention from their instructors. In
addition, instructors can adapt classes to the needs of each student to obtain the best learning
experience thanks to a student-centered learning system. Teachers can work with the
weaknesses of each student and improve her strengths. Laboratory experience and
participation in research are not exempt from this approach: students gain hands-on
laboratory experience and collaborate with their colleagues or their professors on research.

Students also receive academic support. For example, students have access to writing
instructors and coaches who help them become assertive writers through a Writing Center. In
addition, thanks to the long-standing Peer Advising Center, students are provided with a team
of peer advisors, most of whom are trained students, who help other students with various
academic decisions, such as selecting courses, general orientation for new students, or if a
student needs help using university resources.

The Bachelor of Sociology provides a strong foundation for graduate study in the social
sciences and can prepare students for careers in fields such as social services, social research,
data analytics, charitable and nonprofit organizations, government, and human resources. The
program helps students develop communication, research, organization, and problem-solving
skills.

A program that focuses on the systematic study of human social institutions and social
relationships. It includes instruction in social theory, sociological research methods, social
organization and structure, social stratification and hierarchies, dynamics of social change,
family structures, social deviance and control, and applications to the study of specific social
groups, social institutions, and social problems. Students learn to critically collect and
analyze information using both quantitative (statistical analysis) and qualitative (in-depth
interviews, ethnography, focus groups, textual analysis) methods.

The duration of the program is four years, in a full-time face-to-face day. English as the
required language is very important, and the total credits are 240.