Information on studying gender studies

Gender studies in the 2-subject Bachelor:

Basic knowledge of the cultural construction of gender is taught from the perspective of different subjects and subject areas. In addition, various dimensions of gender relations - equality, difference and hierarchy - in the past and present are examined. The historical, social and biographical effects of the respective constructions of gender are dealt with in order to critically reflect on the understanding of human, society and nature.

The interdisciplinary structure of the subject enables students to go beyond the narrow boundaries of the subject, linking the perspectives and methods of many disciplines and gaining a critical and reflective view of the traditional sciences. The aim is to decipher and explore the mostly invisible, unspoken threads that are woven from one discipline to another. From an intersectional perspective, other social categories such as social positioning, sexuality, race/ethnicity and age are related to the category of gender and analyzed.

Gender Studies in the BA Social Sciences:

The Bachelor's degree course in Social Sciences combines a broad social science education with innovative ideas from the Bologna debate. In the first semester, you will be given a theoretical, methodological and scientific overview of social issues. At the beginning of your studies, you will acquire basic skills in academic work, in the discussion of subject content and in the organization and planning of your studies. In comparison to other degree courses, you will not set your individual focus until the second semester and choose two of the following social science subjects:

• Educational science
• Ethnology
• Gender Studies
• Interdisciplinary Indian Studies
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Sports Science

Gender studies in the Master's program:

The aim of the interdisciplinary Master's degree course in Gender Studies is to provide students with in-depth knowledge of the subject and the ability to gain an overview of the central contexts of the subject and to apply basic theories and methods. Gender studies requires an interdisciplinary approach that combines the perspectives and methods of many disciplines and conveys theory-based, empirically founded and application-oriented research. The teaching of sound knowledge of gender studies and its theories and methods aims to enable students to analyze the complexity of the category of gender and thus understand the social and cultural construction of gender in the past and present. Emphasis can be placed on the following areas: 'Gender, Body and Sexuality', 'Gender and Social Orders', 'Gender, Economy and Material Culture', 'Gender in the Political Sphere' and 'Gender, Media Representation and Symbolic Orders'. In addition to the specific subject-specific knowledge, the Master's degree program also teaches general skills for admission to doctoral studies and a successful career start.

Gender Studies as a Master's module package:

Students acquire academic and research-related knowledge and skills in gender studies that are relevant for academic or application-oriented work. The research-oriented focus, with particular emphasis on a comparative perspective, prepares students both for a possible subsequent doctorate and for a scientifically oriented career.

Successful completion of the Gender Studies module package of 36 C therefore qualifies graduates for research activities in higher education and non-university research institutions as well as for (managerial) activities in the following professional fields: Teaching in higher education and other educational institutions, human resources as well as gender mainstreaming and diversity management in public and private institutions and organizations in a national and international context, public relations work for organizations, collaboration in publishing houses, media companies, extracurricular educational work, tasks in the field of art history museums, cultural policy, cultural exchange, collaboration in the field of sport and healthcare, consulting activities.

For a first introduction to the topic or to gender studies terminology, you can find initial information and materials on the topic at service and links

If you require further information or would like to make use of subject-specific study advice, please contact the coordinator of the subject.

For students with children, further information can be found on the page of the Equal Opportunities Office.

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