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Social Sciences (BA)

Taught in German

Overview

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Overview

Contents

The Bachelor's course of study (BA) Social Sciences is a joint degree programme of the subjects Sociology and Political Sciences of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Cultural Studies. (Faculty 03) of JLU Giessen.
The main subject is the analysis of society, its subareas, structures, conditions, and developments as well as their interactions with the actions of single persons. The main issues are:

  • How and why do structures in society and politics emerge?
  • How do they change?
  • How do they influence acting persons and how do acting persons influence structures?

While the subject of sociology applies these main issues to society as a whole as well as its parts, such as family, gender, or working organisations, the subject of politics applies these issues to the political order of societies in general as well as to single areas of politics such as home affairs, foreign affairs, or financial politics.

 

Subject-specific prerequisites

Students of this degree programme need to be interested in social and political issues, including empirical research into these areas. They also need sufficiently high levels of English to understand research literature published in English.

Number of enrolled students

517 students are enrolled in this bachelor degree course (as of winter semester 2017/18).

Accreditation

since 22 August 2006.

Composition of the Study Programme

Degree BA

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Duration of studies 6 Semester 180 Credit Points (CP)

Duration of Studies

6 Semesters - 180 Credit Points (CP)

Composition of the Study Programme

Composition of degree programme

A defining feature of this degree programme is its integration of the two social-sciences disciplines. Alongside the study of political and sociological issues, the programme's core elements include a methodological and a practical part as follows.

  • The study of political science and sociology is split into a foundation part teaching the fundamentals of both subjects (52 CP in total) and a specialisation part in which they gain more detailed knowledge (42 CP in total). 
  • The themed modules "Communication and Media / Cultures and Conflict", "Social and Political Change / International Relations and Comparative Sociology" and "Social Inequality and Gender Relations / Institutions and Policy Areas" are composed of elements from both politics and sociology, integrating related subject matter within each module.
  • Subject areas which receive particular focus include media and communication, gender relations and European studies.
  • Particular weight is given to a thorough grounding in methods in statistics, quantitative and qualitiative empirical social research, data collection and data analysis (40 CP in total).
  • The above is complemented by a practical element, which encompasses not only the programme's compulsory period of work experience and its preparation and retrospective analysis seminars but also an introduction to academic working practice as well as argumentative and presentation techniques and lessons in IT and the language of social sciences (22 CP in total).

This BA programme stands out for the basic training in social sciences it provides, along with its interdisciplinary treatment of politics and sociology as well as its focus on qualifying students for various professional fields in the public and private sectors. Graduates' continued pursuit of studies in social sciences is also made possible by the availability of follow-up Master's programmes at JLU.

The following modules are compulsory:

  • Foundation in Political Science and Sociology
  • Political and Social Theory
  • Political Economy / International Relations
  • Social Behaviour and Communication / Socialisation
  • An Introduction to Methods
  • Data-Collection Procedures
  • Data-Analysis Procedures
  • Advanced Methods
  • Key Skills
  • Work Placement
  • Communication and Media / Cultures and Conflict
  • Social and Political Change / International Relations and Comparative Sociology
  • Social Inequality and Gender Relations / Institutions and Policy Areas
  • Teaching Research Project
  • Dissertation

 

International dimension

The BA programme has an international dimension, select courses being held in English. It is also possible to access similar courses in the rest of Europe and the world. The programme of studies is open to foreign students, principally within the collaborative framework established by the Erasmus programme. The Faculty of Social Sciences and Cultural Studies has an international teaching and research profile which facilitates this exchange: it maintains collaborative relationships with around 25 universities in EU member states as well as with Norway, Turkey, Russia and all institutions of the European Union.

Application

Commencement of Studies in the Winter Semester

Commencement of studies

Only possible in the winter semester

Entrance Requirements Abitur ohne Praktikumsnachweis

Entrance requirements

  • Applicants must have an Abitur (German school leaver's examination for university entrance) or equivalent. More on this...
  • Certification of a pre-professional practical period is not required.

  • Special regulations apply to foreign applicants or those who gained their university-entrance qualifications abroad. Read more...

Application not limited only winter

Application / Enrolment

  • The study programme is not subject to admission restrictions.

  • The enrolment period for the winter semester begins at the beginning of June.

  • The end of the enrolment period is determined anew each year, please enquire in the application portal during the enrolment period.

Different rules apply in some cases for international applicants. More...

 

BewerbungsportalApplication portal

Career Options

Career Options

Options for further study at JLU

 

Career options

Graduates can use this BA to seek careers not only in governmental and non-governmental organisations at local, regional, national and European level but also working for political parties, trade associations, social-welfare associations, trade unions and political, philanthropic as well as cultural foundations. This degree can also enable access to jobs in educational institutions for children, adults and further education, in private and public media companies and in agencies for public relations, policy advice and policy assessment.

Further Information

Further Information: Documents

PDF documents for the courses of study

 

Examination- and study regulations

 

Courses offered in the course catalogue

Links

Bachelor's Degree Programmes of Faculty 03

International pages

Please have a look at our International Pages for more information in English.

Any Questions

Any Questions?

Information- and advisory services of JLU can be found under the category “contact” on this page!

Help

Do you need assistance in choosing the right courses of study?

Offers: Courses of study

Which courses of study suits me best?

Ask Justus offers information for prospective students

 

Events for prospective students

There is a whole range of events offered by JLU, current events can be found under “news”:
www.uni-giessen.de/studium (in German)

Contact

Contact

More...

Links

Subject Advisors

Prof. Dr. Eike-Christian Hornig
Institut für Soziologie
Philosophikum II, building E
Karl-Glöckner-Straße 21
35394 Gießen
Phone: 0641 - 99 23112
Office hours: please see notice board 

Central Study Advisor
Frank Uhlmann (Dipl.-Sozialw.)

Frank Uhlmann (Dipl.-Sozialw.)

Central Student Services

Directions and welcome desk