International Program MA in Social Science

(Development Studies)

RCSD and Development Studies

he Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD), at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, was established in 1998 in response to the need to integrate social science and natural science knowledge, and in order to gain a be er understanding of sustainable development issues in Southeast Asia. The Center draws upon the two-decade long experience of Chiang Mai University in the research and teaching of resource management, highland agricultural systems, social science, health, environmental impact assessment, and ethnic and gender rela ons; linking graduate training and research to development policy and prac ce. Since 1999, RCSD has oered an MA in Sustainable Development - the core of the Centers knowledge produc on process. In response to the enormous social, economic and cultural changes taking place in Southeast Asia at all levels, research is needed in order to help understand their impacts, as well as promote peaceful co-existence among all groups of people in the region. This process should be based on local knowledge and culture, the sustainable use of natural resources and a respect for dierent groups of people, and its output will help achieve academic excellence in line with interna onally recognized academic standards. In accordance with the new curriculum introduced for the academic year 2012, the tle of the masters degree has been changed to the MA in Social Science - in order to incorporate broader elds of study into one single program, these being development studies, ethnicity and development, health social sciences and womens studies. The MA in Social Science retains a focus on development and the social sciences, while also broadening its scope to explore the regional connec vity and regional economic integra on brought-about by Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) ini a ves and the introduc on of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015 (AEC). The revised 2012 curriculum aims to increase the analy cal capacity of scholars as to keep pace with social changes, as well as develop policy recommenda ons on alterna ve development that respond to the needs of dierent groups of people based on local knowledge, sustainable resource use, sound research ethics and high levels of social responsibility.

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Philosophy and Objectives of the Graduate Program

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he philosophy underlying this revised program is to integrate social science theories and knowledge from dierent disciplines, such as geography, sociology and anthropology, those based upon knowledge construc on and research experiences, in order to analyze the complexi es and problems to be found within the development process, those resul ng from changes to state policies and laws, trade and investment prac ces, produc on systems, natural resource use, cultures and health problems in mainland Southeast Asia. Such changes have had varying impacts upon dierent groups of people; for example, local people and ethnic groups. The knowledge gained from this program will help people both adapt to the changes taking place in the region and also seek development alterna ves, those that allow them to par cipate in the decision-making and policy formula on process, and to develop their poten al in terms of adap ng to future changes.

DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

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The curriculum focuses on the development processes and livelihood security issues experienced by dierent groups of people - using a social sciences approach, and has three main research agendas, as follows:

Environment and Development

The quest for development and modernity impacts on natural resources and the environment, upon which diverse groups of people depend during their daily lives. The program is designed to ensure that students are equipped with cri cal conceptual tools; to understand and cri cally analyze issues such as sustainable development, the poli cs of the environment, access to and control over natural resources, the enclosure of resources and the social construc on of nature. Complex social rela ons in terms of environment-development interac ons are the core research agenda items here - those deemed relevant to the emerging economies of the region.

Regionalization and Transnationalization

Changes arising from the development process are related to regionaliza on in a variety of ways, such as through ecological networks, energy and trade communica ons, plus the transna onal rela ons facilitated by the globaliza on process. On this course, the emphasis is placed on the diversity of social rela ons experienced at dierent levels, as well as the complex livelihoods of different groups of people across a number of dimensions and scales.

The Politics of Dierence

A recogni on of the dierences that exist in society has led the program to proclaim such dierences as being important in relaon to social science research. Social dierences, in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, class and social iden ty, are at the core of research problema za on. The courses emphasis allows students to deepen their analysis of the increasingly complex situa ons that exist within a globalized world. Collabora ons, as well as conicts across these social dierences, commonly occur as a part of the development process.

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Program Aims

he MA in Social Sciences (Development Studies) strives to develop a methodology that is not strictly bound by sta c or essen alist modes of thinking. The body of knowledge taught; therefore, is derived from dynamic models which are suited to social and environmental contexts. It uses mul ple methods to encourage learning from local experience, as well as enhance local par cipa on in the management and development of natural resources. The sustainability of natural life support systems and equitability of resource use are also explored. We encourage our students to search for alterna ve policies and to strive for the promo on of sustainable development based on ecological sustainability and the security of local livelihoods, with the ac ve par cipa on of local people. Research topics focus on, among other things, resource management, local knowledge, sustainable development, health, cross-border migra on and gender rela ons.

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Characteristics of our Graduates

raduates from the MA in Social Science (Development Studies) should have the following quali es:

A holis c understanding of concepts and methods in both natural science and social science disciplines, enabling them to study the development process from many perspec ves and draw upon an understanding of the wider context of social and ecological change. A deep understanding of the complexity of development issues, plus the ability to analyze the problems arising from and the impacts of development in the past, present and future.

The ability to oer alterna ve direc ons for sustainable development, based on high quality eldresearch. The ability to synthesize academic knowledge with local knowledge, and then apply the result to prac cal issues in their respec ve areas of interest.

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Academic Sta
Amporn Jira korn Ph.D. (Anthropology) University of Texas at Aus n, USA Anan Ganjanapan Ph.D. (Anthropology) Cornell University, USA Apinya Fuangfousakul Ph.D. (Sociology) University of Bieleeld, Germany Aranya Siriphon Ph.D. (Social Sciences) Chiang Mai University, Thailand Chayan Vaddhanaphu Ph.D. (Interna onal Educa on Development) Standford University, USA Ph.D. Honorary (Social Anthropology) Goteborg University, Sweden Chusak Wi ayapak Ph.D. (Geography) University of Victoria, Canada Jamaree Chiengthong Ph.D. (Development Sociology) University of London, UK Kwancheewan Buadaeng Ph.D. (Anthropology) University of Sydney, Australia Malee Si kreangkrai Ph.D. (Sociology of Health) Mahidol University, Thailand Mukdawan Sakboon Ph.D. (Anthropology) Macquarie University, Australia Panadda Boonyasaranai Ph.D. (Linguis cs) Mahidol University, Thailand Phrek Gypmantasiri M.Sc. (Agriculture) University of California, Davis, USA Pinkaew Laungaramsri Ph.D. (Anthropology) University of Washington, USA Prasit Leepreecha Ph.D. (Anthropology) University of Washington, USA San ta Ganjanapan Ph.D. (Geography) Oregon State University, USA Thapin Phatcharanurak Ph.D. (Sociology of Health) University of No ngham, UK Wasan Panyagaew Ph.D. (Anthropology) Australian Na onal University, Australia

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Wa ana Sugunnasil Ph.D. (Sociology) University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA

Yos Santasombat Ph.D. (Anthropology) University of California, Berkeley, USA

Past Visiting Professors and Scholars

Baird, Ian G. Department of Geography University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA Hirsch, Philip Department of Geography, University of Sydney, Australia Keyes, Charles F. Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, USA McCargo, Duncan School of Poli cs and Interna onal Studies, University of Leeds, UK Roth, Robert Department of Geography, York University, Canada Tanabe, Shigeharu Professor Emeritus Na onal Museum of Ethnology, Japan Vandergeest, Peter Department of Sociology, York University, Canada Walker, Andrew Department of Anthropology, Australian Na onal University, Australia

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Scholarships

limited number of RCSD scholarships are available for students who demonstrate excellent academic performance, the details of which can be obtained from the RCSD oce. Applicants are advised to secure their own nancial support, whether from private or government sources in their own countries. Recently, addi onal scholarships have been awarded to candidates from Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand through the Consor um of Development Studies in Southeast Asia (CDSSEA) program - covering the period 2012/2013. Under this program, applicants can choose to study on one of the following three leading development programs: 1) The Master of Arts in Social Science (MASS) at Chiang Mai University, 2) The Master of Arts in Interna onal Development Studies (MAIDS) at Chulalongkorn University, and 3) The Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies (MGDS) at the Asian Ins tute of Technology. However, most RCSD students secure a scholarship from sources such as the Thailand Interna onal Development Coopera on Agency (TICA), the Heinrich Boll Founda on (HBF), the Ford Founda on, and the Rockefeller Founda on. Applicants shortlisted for a scholarship will be invited for an interview, which will be held either in the applicants home country or using the internet/Skype.

DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

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Academic Program

he MA in Social Science is comprised of four subject areas, called study tracks, these being: 1) Development Studies, 2) Ethnicity and Development, 3) Womens Studies, and 4) Health Social Sciences. The Development Studies track has been oered as an interna onal program on a regular basis since 1999 (originally as the MA in Sustainable Development), and addresses a wide range of development issues and topics based upon students interests.

The MA program is taught in English. with two semesters taught each year - the rst running from August to November and the second from January to May. The MA program is comprised of two principal parts; coursework and a thesis. Under normal circumstances, the coursework takes a minimum of one and-a-half years and the thesis takes at least another half-a-year. For every semester spent wri ng the thesis a er the fourth, students are required to enroll in a noncredit point in order to retain student status, un l the nal version is submi ed. Coursework for the program is divided into core and elec ve components, with all core courses, as well as the thesis component, having to be completed. A minimum of three elec ve courses must also be completed, and her we give examples of some of the courses available for selec on. Other courses can be selected with the approval of the Graduate Program Commi ee. In response to a commitment on the part of the Faculty of Social Sciences to become more interna onal in outlook, the BA in Social Science program has recently been expanded to cater for a wide range of students from both ASEAN countries and beyond. In addi on, for those students who wish to con nue on and study a doctoral degree, the Faculty of Social Sciences also oers a comprehensive Ph.D. program in social science.

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Study Plan (Development Studies Track)

Plan A Type A 1 (thesis only)

1st Academic Year 1st Semester Registra on Meet foreign language requirements Thesis proposal defense A end a seminar and present a paper relavant to the thesis topic 2nd Semester 169797 Thesis 15 Credits A end a seminar and present a paper relavant to the thesis topic 2nd Academic Year 1st Semester 169797 Thesis 15 Credits A end a seminar and present a paper relavant to the thesis topic 2nd Semester 169797 Thesis 6 Credits A end a seminar and present a paper relavant to the thesis topic TOTAL : 36 Credits

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Plan A Type A 2 (coursework and thesis)

1st Academic Year 1st Semester 169701 166701 Social Sciences Theories Development Theories 3 Credits 3 Credits 3 Credits

Elec ve course 2nd Semester 169702 Conceptualiza on in Social Research

3 Credits 3 Credits 3 Credits

Elec ve course Elec ve course 2nd Academic Year 1st Semester 166791 Seminar: Special Issues on Development Studies

3 Credits 3 Credits

Elec ve course 2nd Semester 169799 Thesis

12 Credits TOTAL : 36 Credits

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Curriculum Structure
Plan A Type A 1 (thesis only)
Total Credits A. Coursework B. Thesis (169797 Thesis) 36 credits None 36 credits

Plan A Type A 2 (coursework and thesis)

Total Credits A. Coursework 1. Required courses 1.1) Joint courses 169701 Social Sciences Theories 169702 Conceptualiza on in Social Research 1.2) Required Courses in each Study Track Development Studies Track 166701 Development Theories 166791 Seminar: Special Issues on Development Studies Ethnicity and Development Track 156702 Concepts and Theories of Ethnicity and Development 156791 Seminar 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits a minimum of 36 credits a minimum of 24 credits 12 credits 6 credits 3 credits 3 credits 6 credits

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Womens Studies Track 168700 Cri cal Interdisciplinary Womens Studies 168791 Seminar: Special Issues on Women Health Social Sciences Track 173701 Health Illness and Society 173791 Selected Local Health Issue and Globaliza on 2. Elec ve courses Development Studies Track 166711 Regionaliza on in Development Process 166721 Local Rights and Knowledge in Development 166751 Transborder Studies 166762 Opera onaliza on in Development Research 166789 Selected Topics on Development Studies Ethnicity and Development Track 156701 Mul -culturalism in Modern Socie es 156704 Ethnic Studies in Southeast Asia 156713 Visual Ethnography 156714 Ethnic Health, Development and Ecology 156716 Local Wisdom of Ethnic Groups and Development Ecology 156718 Indigenous People Rights, Mechanisms and Processes for Human Rights Protec on 156719 Ethnic Economy, Tourism and Consumer Culture 156789 Selected Topics in Ethnicity and Development 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits

a minimum of 12 credits

2.1) Elec ve Courses in Relevant Topic Areas

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Womens Studies Track 168710 Human Rights and Womens Rights 168712 Feminist Legal Studies 168713 Women and Poli cs 168720 Women in Socio-cultural Perspec ves 168722 Women and Economy 168730 Women and Literature 168735 Women and Religion 168741 Sex Crimes and Violence against Women 168743 Women and Health Health Social Sciences Track 173702 Culture and Health 173703 Popula on Change and Health 173721 Ageing Medicine and Society 173723 Socio-cultural Perspec ves of Food and Health 173727 Health Ecology 173728 Health and Medicine in Changing Society 173730 Health Business, Medicine and Tourism 173789 Selected Topic in Health Social Sciences 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits

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2.2) Or select from the list of elec ve courses outside the students chosen eld, as shown under 2.2.2. Courses outside relevant eld 2.2.1 Required courses 2.2.2. Elec ve courses 154711 Environmentalism and Environmental Policies 154713 Policy Analysis and Resources Management 154714 Poli cal Ecology 154739 Geography of Health 154777 Geoinforma cs and Health 159701 Social and Cultural Theories I 159723 Economic Sociology and Anthropology 159704 Social and Cultural Theories II 159712 Resource Governance and Civil Society Or select from other courses with the consent of the Graduate Program Commi ee. B. Thesis 169799 SS 799 Thesis 12 credits 12 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits None

* Course descriptions can be obtained from our website: http://rcsd.soc.cmu.ac.th/v2012/le_document/ ma_course_description_detail.pdf

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Admissions Procedure

Qualications
All applicants who have a bachelor degree or equivalent in any discipline, as accredited by the Ministry of University Aairs, are eligible to apply for the MA in Social Science (Development Studies). Applicants must also have passed TOEFL with a score of at least 500 (paper-based), 173 (computer-based) or 61 (internet-based); or have passed IELTS with a score of 5.5, or TEGS with a score of at least 65.

Application Process
There are three stages to the applica on process: a wri en applica on, an interview and admission. Applica ons are accepted all year round. To apply for a par cular academic year, which begins in August, the students must submit their applica on by March. The second stage of the selec on process - the interview, will be conducted during April-May, with no ca on of both admission and of the nancial assistance award sent to the applicants in May or June. Studies will begin in August of the year applied for.

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Written Applications
Applicants are required to submit: A completed copy of the applica on form for the MA in Social Science (Development Studies) A recent passport style photograph An ocial subject transcript wri en in English Three le ers of recommenda on A TOEFL cer cate showing a score of at least 500 (paper-based), 173 (computer-based) or 61 (internet-based); or an IELTS cer cate showing a score of at least 5.5, or a TEGS cer cate showing a score of at least 65. Cer ca on must be applicable over the applica on period The applicants proposed research outline The applica on fee (Bt. 900). A concise statement of about 800 to 1000 words, describing the reasons for the applicant wishing to pursue a Masters degree, a descrip on of his/her career expecta ons, plus how the development studies program will help the applicant achieve his/her goals (in the case of a scholarship applica on).

Application forms can be downloaded from the RCSD website: http://rcsd.soc.cmu.ac.th.

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Interview
If an applicants wri en applica on is successful, he or she will be invited to a end an entrance interview held by RCSD sta and teachers. Candidates will be informed of the me and place of the interview via e-mail. Candidates who successfully pass the interview stage will be eligible for admission to the program.

Costs and Fees

Fees, including tui on and university service fees of approximately Bt.120,000 per year for Thai residents and Bt. 160,000 per year for non-Thai residents, must be paid by the admission day. Fees may be periodically revised. Approved changes will be eec ve for all payments made on or a er the dates s pulated in the change announcement. Normally, the cost of the two-year program, including tui on fees, eld research ac vi es, thesis edi ng, accommoda on, meals and transporta on is approximately US$19,000. Students are recommended to budget at least Bt. 8,000-12,000 per month for their daily expenses (prices calculated at $1US=31 Bt. Thai).

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RCSD The Learning Space for Sustainable Development

Address:
Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD) Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University Chiang Mai 50200 THAILAND Telephone Number +66 (0)53 943595 +66 (0)53 943596 Fax +66 (0)53 893279 Email rcsd@cmu.ac.th Website h p://rcsd.soc.cmu.ac.th

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