Information about studying

There are currently three courses available to study at the Institute of Sociology: Bachelor in “Social Sciences”, Master in “Modern Society and Cultures” and teaching qualifications in “Politics and Economics” as well as basic science sociology. The BA and Master's degree programs give graduates the opportunity to develop their methods and interpretive skills with regard to the analysis of cultural and social transformations in the sense of a practical and professional education.

The Bachelor's degree program in "Social Sciences", which has been offered since 2006 in cooperation with the Institute of Political Science, imparts extensive basic knowledge in the field of social sciences, which conveys strong qualitative and quantitative methodological skills as well as theoretical approaches. In addition to the close interweaving of politically and socially relevant knowledge, this course of study is also characterized by a focus on empirical methods, which means that this course of study provides professional qualifications for culture, education, social affairs, politics, administration, management consulting, but also advertising and market research. The institute's good regional network makes it easier for students to find internships that allow them to establish further contacts during their studies.

In the research-oriented master's degree program "Society and Cultures of Modernity" there is a strong interdisciplinary specialization in questions of contemporary social and cultural transformation processes and problem areas in modernity, which specifically include the problematization of the concept of modernity itself. The course, which was accredited in 2009, extends over four semesters and aims to provide an intensive academic examination of the institute's own research focus on “transformations of cultures”. Culture is discussed here at the same time as the cause and object of conflicts, but also as a social carrier of transition and solution processes. Such an approach systematically integrates interdisciplinary networking with selected subjects into the course of study and encourages students to spend a semester abroad by integrating thematically rather than structurally the achievements they have acquired elsewhere.

The basic science teacher training as well as the training for teaching at high schools, secondary and secondary schools, the subject “Politics and Economics” also forms a focus of the institute's teaching activities. Imparting social analytical knowledge and reflective skills relevant to your work as a teacher has a long tradition at the institute and is given high priority. Social- structural, organizational and professional change processes are addressed in teacher training. This allows teacher training students to practice their future profession with the help of sociological reflection skills and to understand the field of school/education within social and cultural challenges. Under the title “Politics and Economics”, sociology plays a key role in the training of high school teachers. In addition to institutions, areas of conflict and social movements as well as social science methods, students of this course - as well as students of the basic science teacher training - benefit from the institute's strong profile in educational sociology. “School” is not only a professional goal, but also a subject of research.

Within the Justus Liebig University of Giessen, the Institute of Sociology is sustainably networked through collaborations and diverse collegial contacts. Many other subjects use the institute's expertise in analyzing social and cultural transformation processes.

At the level of doctoral training, the institute maintains close connections with both the  International Graduate Center for the Study of Culture (GCSC) and the Giessen Graduate Center for Social, Economic and Legal Sciences (GGS). Members of the institute are heavily involved in both institutions and thus ensure a high level of a structured doctoral phase.