The Degree Programmes in Sociology
Bachelor of Arts "Soziologie"
This programme represents the first and fundamental level of a science-oriented educational training in Sociology. Teaching the fundamental competencies and skills required for sociologists in science-oriented professional careers in a broader sense is part of the central guidelines of the study programme.
The potential fields of activity are to be found in both more practice-related but knowledge-oriented functional areas of business enterprises and other organisations, and, even more so, in science (within and outside the university).
The programme requires students’ willingness and ability to work extensively with theory-centred scientific literature and to write scientific papers, and at the same time the study and application of mathematical-statistical material, a variety of data-based methods, and complex sociological data-acquisition and evaluation methods. Social phenomena from all levels and areas (from social interaction, to institutions and organisations, to societal phenomena) examined and analysed using scientific methods form the subject matter of the programme – this programme is not about questions on practice-related social problems or about qualifying students for social professions.
Against this backdrop, the provided educational training, on the one hand, aims at expert and management functions at a middle or senior management level requiring a broad range of particularly theoretical and methodical knowledge concerning
- Sociological work and research methods,
- The traditional as well as the modern repertoire of sociological theories,
- Central structures, developments and problems of modern societies,
- Selected special areas and special problems of society (related to concrete application fields).
On the other hand, the Sociology B.A. programme offered in Chemnitz can, in particular, be the gateway to an educational or professional path that is oriented towards either purely scientific functions or important positions with high specialised qualification requirements in science and practice. This can be achieved, for instance, by studying the Master programme offered in Chemnitz since the winter semester of 2007/2008.
The six-semester Bachelor programme in Sociology comprises the following focus areas:
- History of Sociology and sociological theories
- Statistics and methods of empirical social research
- The social structure of Germany by international comparison
- Introduction to two of the following specialisation areas (new since the winter semester 2013/14): "Political Sociology", "Sociology of Health", " Sociology of Work and Industry", "Sociology of Technology"..
- Introduction to one elective subject area (current options: Pedagogy, Political Sciences, Social Psychology, Media and Communication Studies)
- Internship in one of the professional applications fields of Sociology (free choice)
The programme culminates in the writing of a scientific paper – the B.A. dissertation.
Brief overview of the recommended order of study for the B.A. programme in Sociology:
Study and Examination Regulations, in force as of 2013/14 enrolment
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Brief overview on order of study Bachelor (SO 2013/14) |
download .pdf |
Admission:
The German general qualification for university entrance (Abitur), or an equivalent school-leaving qualification / high-school diploma is a general requirement for admission.
Currently there are no numerous clausus for this programme.
Master of Arts in Sociology
The degree programme Master of Arts in Sociology has been offered since the academic year 2008/09. The course provides advanced knowledge in the discipline of Sociology and, based on this, offers specialisation options with a decidedly scientific orientation.
Focus areas of the general education are:
- General Sociology
- Analysis of social structure and Social diagnosis
The options for specialisation consist of two (out of three) combined thematic fields that are closely related to the main research areas of the Institute (new, expected as of winter semester 2015/16):
- “Health in Primary Social Relationships“ ("Health and Health Care Systems")
- “Work and Commitment in Civil-societal, Economic or Public Contexts" ("Work, Organisation and Technology")
- “Social Structures in International Comparison" ("Globalisation and Social Change")
The four-semester study programme is addressed to students with profound knowledge of Sociology and a Bachelor in Sociology or an equivalent degree. We expect a strong interest in theoretical and empirical work, a distinctive focus on research, as well as a subject area-related orientation to at least one of the listed main research areas of the Institute.
Besides common syllabus lectures, the study programme provides extensive project-based components requiring students to show a high degree of independence and intrinsic motivation. Substantial prior knowledge in the students’ respective specialisation fields is expected.
The programme culminates in a research oriented Master dissertation. This may constitute the starting point for a subsequent PhD study, which the Institute strongly encourages and supports in the case of graduates showing exceptional performance. The Institute generally prioritises programme graduates for its own research projects and is very interested in involving competent candidates into research activities as early as possible.
The degree is a solid basis for a scientific career at universities or independent research institutes. But it can also open up career paths towards expert or management functions with a socio-scientific orientation in economy, associations, authorities, publishing houses, the media, etc.
We can only partly recommend the programme to students intending to take up a downright 'practical' career. Applicants pursuing implementation-oriented scientific interests, on the other hand, are very welcome.
Brief overview of the recommended order of study for the Master programme in Sociology:
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Brief overview of order of study Master (SO 2013/14) |
download .pdf |
Application and Admission
Currently there are no numerous clausus for this programme. However, as a rule, a Bachelor in Sociology degree is required for admission. Comparable degrees are accepted the approval of the Examination Board provided – prospective students are to have good knowledge of the fundamentals of Sociology (sociological theory, methods of social research, analysis of social structure, specialisations). Practice-oriented degrees from universities of applied sciences (Social Education, Social Work, or similar) are mostly not suitable for admission due to their usually insufficient sociological profile – however, exceptions are possible following the approval by the Examination Board.
More detailed information is available from our Course Guidance Office (see below). Please, apply with the Student Service Point (NOT with us) as early as possible handing in all significant documents concerning the content of your previous studies and your degree.
Important information provided by the Student Service Point on how to progress from a Bachelor to a Master programme you will find here
Course Guidance Office of the Institute of Sociology
For further information, please, contact our Course Guidance Officer:
