Sociology (B.A.)
Features
Does education help children out of poverty? Why do people migrate from the countryside to the city or to another country? What motivates people to join an association or a citizens' initiative? What role does religion play in global conflicts?
As an empirical science, sociology uses its research methods and techniques to produce explanations for these social phenomena. Observations, interviews or social statistics are used to analyse human relationships between couples, families, groups and entire societies and link them to theories. The aim is to discover and explain general patterns of behaviour and interpretation, rules and structures.
Flyer for the degree programme
- Programme:
- Sociology
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Options:
- Full-time studies or Part-time studies
- Standard period of study:
- 6 semesters
- Start:
- Only the winter semester
- Language of the programme:
- German
- Admission:
- open admission (enrolment without previous application)
- Orientation events:
- Orientation events are offered
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Details
The Bachelor's Programme in Sociology conveys basic subject knowledge that is necessary for continuing on with a Master's programme and for changing over to the working world. Students acquire the skills they need to grasp the main correlations of the subject and to apply the fundamental scientific methods and findings.
Students will learn skills in formulating sociological questions, in analysing social problems and phenomena and in applying the more important sociological methods. These qualifcations enable their entry into different occupational fields (press, mass media, public relations, work in associations, continuing education and non-school related youth education and youth assistance, in the field of public administration on a federal level, state and community level, as well as in human resources of business and organisations). They also prepare themselves for continuing on to acquire an additional scientific degree.
Aside from sufficient fundamental knowledge in the subject Sociology, students will acquire in-depth knowledge in special sociological areas through elective compulsory modules. In addition, students have the possibility to build a concentration in the area of social policy.
The Bachelor's programme not only conveys subject-specific knowledge but also key competencies required for successful entry into the working world or for admission to a Master's programme.
a) An application-oriented profile enables students to acquire general and subject-specific occupational skills. .
b) A scientific-oriented profile aims to convey the foundation to continue on with a consecutive occupational-qualifying degree in the form of a Master's programme.
Related and consecutive/graduate programmes
Related programmes
Consecutive/graduate programmes
Structure
In the first semesters, you will acquire basic knowledge of academic work and the subject of sociology by studying classical and modern theories in lectures and seminars. In addition, you will receive sound methodological training in quantitative, statistical and qualitative research methods through lectures and exercises. The compulsory elective modules allow students to specialise in the sociology of work and economics, political sociology and the sociology of the welfare state or cultural sociology. Exemplary studies as well as the respective field of research are taught in lectures with in-depth seminar discussions.
At the beginning of your degree programme, you will receive an information booklet for first-semester students. This booklet contains all the important information for your degree programme (modules to be taken, specialisations, contact persons, etc.) and will accompany you throughout your studies.
Non-sociological area of expertise (Further information)
In addition to the sociology degree programme, a second subject must be studied as a non-sociological area of competence, for example economics and law, gender studies, political science. You can find a complete overview here.
Professionalisation area
The professionalisation area consists of the optional area and the key competences.
Optional area
In addition to subject-specific knowledge, the Bachelor's degree programme imparts skills for a successful career start (application-oriented profile) or for admission to a Master's degree programme (science-oriented profile).
Key competence area (Further information)
The key competency training of the Faculty of Social Sciences qualifies you for the labour market and further study programmes. This means that you will be taught interdisciplinary skills. You can hone your individual profile during the key competency training programme. Due to the breadth of the programme, you can choose free and future-oriented combinations. Specific interests and career aspirations can thus be catered for.
Further links
Regulations and module directory
Admission
- Start:
- Winter semester only
- 1st subject semester:
- open admission (enrolment without previous application)
- 2nd to 6th subject semester:
- open admission (enrolment without previous application)
Impressions
For a drink with…
is a video interview format by academics for academics and anyone who wants to become one. In this episode: Prof. Dr. Nicole Mayer-Ahuja. She is a professor of sociology of work, business, and economics at the Institute of Sociology at the University of Göttingen. She provides insights into her academic career and her teaching activities and talks about the importance of sociology of work for society and as a fascinating focus for research and study at the University of Göttingen. (Video only available in German)
For a drink with…
Today we are meeting with Dr. Ina Alber-Armenat. She is a research assistant and program coordinator, as well as an academic advisor for our sociology programs. She talks about her research, her connection to Poland, who she recommends studying sociology and pursuing a doctorate, and what skills distinguish sociology graduates. (Video only available in German)
Episode 1: What is sociology?
A podcast by StadtRadio Göttingen and a seminar from the field of key competences with Sascha Prinz and students of sociology Göttingen. (Podcast only available in German)
Episode 2: What is the point of studying sociology?
A podcast by StadtRadio Göttingen and a seminar from the field of key competences with Sascha Prinz and students of sociology Göttingen. (Podcast only available in German)
Episode 3: Current sociological research in Göttingen
This episode is about the sociology of labour and social policy. A podcast by StadtRadio Göttingen and a seminar from the field of key competences with Sascha Prinz and students of sociology Göttingen. (Podcast only available in German)
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Contact
Academic Advising
Annegret Schallmann
Platz der Göttinger Sieben 3
37073 Göttingen
Phone: +49 551 39 27159
Fax: +49 551 39 26542