Social Sciences, B.A.
The Social Sciences, B.A., combines theory and practice in the fields of political science and sociology. As an integrated and application-oriented degree programme, it provides broad interdisciplinary knowledge about society and politics. Through its practically relevant and thematically differentiated structure it prepares students for professional fields in which extensive knowledge of living conditions and change processes in contemporary society and their political design is expected.
Social Sciences, B.A., information flyer (in German)
Profile and aims of the degree programme (in German)
Application without higher education entrance qualification but with a vocational qualification and applicants with a foreign higher education entrance qualification please note the deadlines.
Degree Structure
The three-year degree programme has a modular structure. The first year covers basic knowledge of political science and sociology (basic module). In the second year, there is the possibility to specialise in a range of different thematic fields (thematic module). An elective and language module offers further opportunity to gain targeted supplementary knowledge in other subjects. Practical application of the acquired knowledge is deepened by a two-month professional internship and research projects based on the implementation of social scientific research questions. The combination of theoretical reflection and practical experience provides disciplinary specific insights into the professional world and also serves to test acquired competences in practice.
Professional Opportunities
The degree programme prepares students for a diversity of professional occupations. These range from careers in the media (print, radio, TV, online) and marketing and public opinion research to public relations and work in the fields of politics, education, administration, and research. Social scientists also find professional opportunities in business in areas such as professional development, quality management, and in advisory or consulting roles.
Plagiarism Regulations
Please take note of the following plagiarism regulations, which apply to all examination formats in the Social Sciences B.A.:
Plagiarism regulations (in German)
Information about the Student Council
The student council SoWiSo is composed of social science students from the bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes. At the University of Augsburg, the student council is your contact for all questions about the degree programme as well as for explicit problems or more precise information about current study conditions.
News, deadlines, and events will be published on the student council’s webseite as well as via Facebook, Instagram and Telegram. Here, you will also find information about activities for first-semester students, such as orientation week, which takes place before the start of the semester and includes a campus tour, a city rally, and a pub crawl. Registration for these events takes place via the webseite.
Video about the Social Sciences, B.A. made by the student council:
Information about degree programme modules
The modular structure of the degree programme
Modules are composed of either one course or several thematically linked courses (e.g., lectures, courses and/or exercises). As thematically organised units they determine the ‘shape’ of the degree programme.
The module catalogue outlines which courses offered within each module of the degree programme. The individual modules that make up the curriculum as well as the thematic orientation of the individual courses are listed in the module catalogue.
In the module catalogue, you will also find information about the type of examinations to be taken, as well as information about which departments are responsible for questions relating to specific courses and the organisation of modules.
It is always recommended that you check the module catalogue before the start of each semester to see if any changes have been made.
Recommended study plans:
- Example study plan from the winter semester 2016/2017
- Example study plan from the winter semester 2024/25
Module information about the Social Sciences, B.A., for studies starting in the winter semester 2024/25 (Examination Regulations, 2024)
Module Group A: Basic Module
SOW-5001: Principles of Sociology I (2 lectures and 1 introductory course)
SOW-5002: Principles of Political Science I (2 lectures and 1 introductory course)
SOW-5003: Principles of Sociology II (1 lecture and 1 introductory course)
SOW-5004: Principles of Political Science II (1 lecture and 1 introductory course)
Module Group B: Practical Module
SOW-5101: Social Science Basics (1 exercise)
SOW-0006: Internship (internship and internship related exercises)
Module Group C: Methodology Module
SOW-5201: Methods of Quantitative Empirical Social Research (1 lecture)
SOW-5202: Methods of Qualitative Research in Social Sciences (1 lecture)
SOW-0039: Statistics (1 lecture and 1 exercise)
SOW-5203: Applied Methods of Quantitative Empirical Social Research (1 exercise)
SOW-5204: Applied Qualitative Methods of Sociology and Political Sciences (1 exercise)
Module Group D: Elective / Language Module
XXX-xxxx: Elective / Language (according to chosen orientation)
Module Group E: Thematic Modules in the Fields of Social Science
Between the third and fifth semesters, five of the twenty thematic modules listed below can be taken. A thematic module is composed of one seminar and can only be successfully completed once. Each thematic specialisation has the purpose of developing a profile, with an A and B variation.
The examinations for modules in the thematic module group are composed of a portfolio of oral and/or written assignments. The exact requirements will be specified before the start of the relevant semester in Digicampus or in the module catalogue.
Thematic modules to choose from:
- SOW-5301/-5302: Political Theory: The History and Politics of Political Ideas
- SOW-5303/-5304: General Sociology and Sociological Theory
- SOW-5305/-5306: Democracy, Conflict, and Society in Comparative Perspective
- SOW-5307/-5308: Sociology of Lifestyles and Stages of Life / Social Inequality
- SOW-5309/-5310: Peace and Conflict Studies
- SOW-5311/-5312: Sociology of Health
- SOW-5313/-5314: Sociology of Education/ Sociology of Work
- SOW-5315/-5316: Environmental and Climate Politics
- SOW-5317/-5318: Environmental Sociology
- SOW-5319/-5320: Knowledge, Discourse, and Culture
Module Group F: Research Module
SOW-5401: Research Project I (1 Seminar, 4 SWS)
SOW-5402: Research Project II (1 Seminar, 4 SWS)
Module Group G: Final Thesis
SOW-0018: Module Bachelor Thesis
You can find further information about the final thesis here.
Module information about the Social Sciences, B.A., for studies starting in the winter semester 2016/17 (Examination Regulations, 2016)
Modul Group A: Basic Module
SOW-0052: Social Theories and Social Structure (2 lectures and 1 introductory course)
SOW-0002: Principles of Political Science I (2 lectures and 1 introductory course)
SOW-0036: Theories of Society and Social Change (1 lecture and 1 introductory course)
SOW-0037: Principles of Political Science II (1 lecture and 1 introductory course)
Module Group B: Practical Module
SOW-0005: Social Science in Practice (2 exercises)
SOW-0006: Internship (internship and internship related exercises)
Module Group C: Methodology Module
SOW-0038: Methods of Quantitative and Qualitative Empirical Social Research (2 lectures)
SOW-0039: Statistics (1lecture and 1 exercise)
SOW-0040: Qualitative Methods – Processes of Interpretation (1exercise)
SOW-0041: Applied Methods of Empirical Social Research (2 exercises)
Module Group D: Elective / Language Module
XXX-xxxx: Elective / Language (according to chosen orientation)
Module Group E: Thematic Modules in the Fields of Social Science
Between the third and fifth semesters, three of the eight thematic modules listed below can be taken. A thematic module is composed of one seminar and can only be successfully completed once.
The examinations for modules in the thematic module group are composed of a portfolio of oral and/or written assignments. The exact requirements will be specified before the start of the relevant semester in Digicampus or the module catalogue.
Thematic modules to choose from:
- SOW-0042: Political Theory
- SOW-0043: General Sociology and Sociological Theory
- SOW-0044: Comparative Politics
- SOW-0045: Sociology of Lifestyles and Life Phases / Social Inequality
- SOW-0046: International Relations / World Politics
- SOW-0047: Sociology of Health
- SOW-0048: Sociology of Education / Sociology of Work
- SOW-0049: Methodology and Methods of Political Science and Sociology
Module Group F: Research Module
SOW-0050: Research Project I (1 Seminar, 4 SWS)
SOW-0051: Research Project II (1 Seminar, 4 SWS)
Module Group G: Final Thesis
SOW-0018: Module Bachelor Thesis
You can find further information about the final thesis module here.
Electives
Applicable to studies starting in the winter semester 2024/25 (Examination Regulations, 2024)
It is recommended to take minor subjects (Wahlfächer) from the second semester onwards.
You can take either D1, D2, or D3.
Elective module D1 – Studium Generale
Here you have a free choice of modules, including language modules, according to the second module table as outlined in the appendix of the Examination Regulations from Module Group D1 (Studium Generale), as well as other compulsory elective modules that are listed in the module catalogue under D1, of which up to 30 credit points can be taken. Despite the free choice, students are advised to try and concentrate their studies on a particular area so as to develop a corresponding profile.
Elective Module D2 – Communication Science
To complete this module a full 30 ECTS must be acquired in Communication Science.
Elective Module D3 –
Social Psychology
To complete this module a full 30 ECTS must be acquired in Social Psychology.
The criteria for successfully completing modules are determined by the respective subjects. Please contact them for information on admission requirements and other conditions (preferably in the semester beforehand).
Applicable to studies starting in the winter semester 2016/17 (Examination Regulations, 2016)
Students are recommended to take minor subjects (Wahlfächer) from the third semester onwards. Please note: These can only be completed in one subject area! Alongside foreign languages (see the module catalogue), modules from the following disciplines are offered.
- Economics
- Law
- History
- European Ethnology
- Geography
- Media and Communication Science
- Educational Science
- Philosophy
- Protestant Theology
- Psychology
- Foreign Languages
The criteria for achieving 30 credit points are determined by the relevant discipline. Please contact the relevant faculty (preferably in the semester beforehand) for information about admission requirements and other conditions relevant to successfully completing modules in the relevant discipline.
Internships
Please note: Preparation and follow-up sessions relating to the internship are offered every semester.
Registration: Please register for the internship in Digicampus within the first two weeks of the lecture period. It is not possible to take part after this time, other than in the next semester. The dates for the preparation and follow-up sessions will be announced after registration.
General information: The two-month internship in the Practical Module enables students to gather experience in a relevant professional field and develop professional contacts. The internship should be chosen in such a way that it connects with the thematic spectrum of topics in the social sciences.
The preparation and follow-up sessions for the internship take place through participation in an exercise on the internship. The focus of the exercise is reflection on the application of social science competencies in the chosen professional fields. The exercise is composed of two parts: a preparatory session and a follow-up session once the internship has been completed.
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)!
What work must be completed in order to pass the Practical Module for the internship? Credit points for the module (internship + exercise = 12 CP) are awarded after the following (in addition to the completion of the internship itself):
- Which internships in which fields of work are being considered?
- Joint reflection on the internship search and application processes
- Formulation of internship goals and expectations
- Completion of the Practical Module
- Description of the scope and content of the internship
- Description of the relevance of the internship to the social sciences (subject adequacy)
- Clarification of career prospects
- Critical reflection on the internship with reference to learning goals/expectations, subject adequacy, career prospects, and key qualifications.
Please do not prepare a presentation, as you will only report back on the internship orally. You should plan for a maximum of 7 minutes so that there is time for questions. The session will run for a total of 60 minutes. You have to register for the session in the first two weeks of the lecture period in Digicampus. The date of the session will be announced at the end of the first two weeks.
3. Internship report
Scope: At least 14,000 characters (including empty spaces, excluding cover sheet and table of contents)
Content: Description of the scope and content of the internship; formulation of reasons and goals associated with the choice of the internship; description of the relevance of the internship to studies in the social sciences (subject adequacy) and clarification of career prospects; critical reflection on the internship and associated goals/expectations, subject adequacy, career prospects, and key qualifications.
Please note: On the cover sheet of the report please include in addition to your personal details and enrolment number which semester you registered in STUDIS for the examination. This means in which actual semester (e.g., winter semester 2016/7) and not your subject semester!
3. Submission of work or internship certificate: It is not enough that the internship certificate only includes the period of time in which the internship was undertaken, i.e., from when to when. Rather, the internship certificate must describe the work undertaken and provide an evaluation, either in point form or as is more typical in approx. one-page continuous text.
Send the internship certificate, internship report, as well as your two certificates of participation in the preparatory and follow-up sessions by post or email to either Dr Höntzsch or Martin Blessinger, M.A. The person responsible is the staff member who signed the follow-up session participation certificate (postal addresses can be found on teaching staff homepages).
Please send the internship report via email to the relevant staff member as a Word or OpenOffice document so that the number of characters can be checked. Only fully completed documentation will be accepted. This means do not submit the report and then later the certificates. Rather, submit all documentation at the same time to the staff member who signed the follow-up session participation certificate. The 12 CP will be entered in STUDIS after all documentation has been submitted in full (you must, however, register independently in STUDIS beforehand during the registration period). Your performance will not be graded.
- Information on internships abroad (International Office)
- General internship information (Career Service at the University of Augsburg)
- Job Search
For any further questions relating to the internship and/or the exercises related to the internship, please contact the Internship Officers: Dr Frauke Höntzsch and Martin Blessinger M.A.
Further Information
Further information can be found on the website of the Institute of Social Sciences at the University of Augsburg:
Contacts
Degree programme coordination: Dr Jan Grasnick: Office hours by appointment, Room 3038 Building D
Subject advisor for sociology: Dr Anna Brake: Office hours: Wed. 17:30-18:30, Room 3050 Building D
Subject advisor for political science: Dr Jan Grasnick: Office hours by appointment, Room 3038 Building D