Structure of the Bachelor’s Program
Sociology
In addition to the core subject, the bachelor's program in Sociology taught in Mannheim includes supplementary modules, comprising the Career Development Module (including a mandatory internship), the Social Skills Module and the minor. Take advantage of the program's interdisciplinary approach to hone your individual profile.
Program structure of the bachelor's program in Sociology (PDF)
Four areas of study
The bachelor's program in Sociology at the University of Mannheim imparts basic knowledge in the field of Sociology. The program is divided into basic and advanced modules focusing on four areas of study:
- General and Special Sociology
- European Societies in Comparison
- Social Psychology
- Methods of Empirical Social Research
General and Special Sociology covers the theoretical fundamentals of Sociology and their application in empirical analyses on topics such as the sociology of work, education, family, migration, economics, organization and stratification, primarily using the example of German society.
European Societies in Comparison, on the other hand, deals with macro-sociological theories of modern societies and international comparative empirical analyses of social sub-areas such as welfare states, education systems, labor relations, labor markets, and civil societies in Europe. The processes of Europeanization and globalization and their effects on individual states form another focus.
Social Psychology deals with questions and perspectives of social psychological research such as social self-concepts, group processes, attitudes and attitude change, stereotypes, health psychology and social psychology of gender.
In addition to lectures and seminars, the independent implementation of a research project is part of the practice-oriented training in Methods of Empirical Social Research.
Career-oriented studies: the Career Development Module
An internship forms an integral part of the bachelor's program in Sociology. This enables students to gain professional experience and establish contacts with companies at an early stage.
The Career Development Module comprises three parts:
- Sociology and practice I (lecture)
- Mandatory internship
- Sociology and practice II (exercise course)
With the “Sociology and practice I” lecture, the School's Internship Office will provide you with information about possible career paths and bring you up to date on how to write a successful application. Companies from the business world and employers from the public sector are regular guests to talk about career opportunities and CVs.
You will complete the mandatory internship in a professional field for social scientists, preferably during the semester break. The Internship Office will be happy to support you in your search for a suitable placement. Via a periodic newsletter and an internship database, the Internship Office informs all students of the school about vacancies such as internships and part-time jobs.
In the exercise course, you will recapitulate the experiences you have gained during your internship and research national or international master's programs as well as opportunities for a direct career entry.
Developing personal skills: social skills courses
In the Social Skills module, the Center for Development of Key Competencies (ZfS) offers a range of practice-oriented courses on topics such as presentation techniques, software and statistics programs, and media or language practice to complement the core subject and the minor. The interdisciplinary approach inherent to this program of study optimally prepares students for the demands of a constantly changing job market. Students must take two social skills courses during their studies: one in IT and one in another field.
to the courses offered by the Center for Development of Key Competencies (ZfS)
Program structure and module catalog
The examination regulations for the bachelor's program in Sociology are available on the examination regulations page.