In what way does terrorism change our society? Do social media have an impact on political participation? How does a government affect the life of individuals? And how will I be able to get these things across to school pupils?
The German-taught teacher education programs in Political Science at the University of Mannheim provide the answers to these questions!
By cooperating with leading research institutions, you will acquire the tools to understand political processes, to analyze them, and to pass this knowledge on to pupils using sound instructional techniques. Our programs offer a vast array of practice-oriented courses that prepare you to become a teacher. We will also support you if you want to complete a period of study abroad, which is possible for up to one year. You can choose from more than 100 exchange programs.
Please note: the documents listed on this page are only available in German.
Political Science at the University of Mannheim
Political Science in Mannheim is all about political processes. This includes analyzing political systems, explaining political decisions, studying political actors, and calculating election results. Research at our Department covers a variety of areas, including:
In addition, the Department of Political Science has earned an international reputation for its strong focus on empirical-analytical research using quantitative methods, such as computer-assisted data analysis. That is why we offer special courses that allow you to practice carrying out your own research projects. Among other things, you will learn how to develop a concept for a survey, draw up questionnaires, devise measuring instruments, and set up research designs and schedules. The practical implementation of your study, such as data collection and analysis, is also part of these courses.
Not limited to current political affairs
You are interested in current political affairs? Excellent! But studying Political Science means much more than just discussing the news. We teach you sound methods that you can use to scientifically analyze politics and, much more importantly, to predict what is going to happen in the future. Political Science studies political processes and explains why voters and politicians make certain decisions.
No training to become a professional politician
Many research activities focus on political parties, but this doesn’t mean that you need to be politically active. With a degree in Political Science, you can be anything from a civil servant to a private sector employee and from a market researcher to a high-level politician. You can also choose to focus on the many other actors and areas that play a major role in Political Science.
Empirical social research concerns itself with the systematic collection of data on interdependences in society by way of observations, interviews, and experiments, and analyzes them using different statistical methods.
Quantitative methods employed in empirical social research comprise all procedures that enable the numerical representation of empirical facts on the one hand and that support conclusions drawn from empirical findings using inferential statistics on the other. Quantitative methods include sample selection, data collection, and data analysis, for example, and can be used to formulate new hypotheses as well as to test the validity of previously proposed hypotheses.
During the program, you will first take the mandatory module Methods and Statistics. It addresses the following topics: drawing up surveys, developing questionnaires, devising measuring instruments, and setting up research designs and schedules, as well as the practical implementation of a study, such as data collection and analysis using statistical methods. In the advanced module, you will attend exercise courses in methods, which require you to carry out your own research projects.
I decided to enroll in the Teacher Education program at the University of Mannheim because of the university’s outstanding reputation. I also really liked the city’s character. The university’s international focus impresses me – it is partners with numerous universities around the world. I was able to spend a semester studying in England. The Teacher Education program is diverse and gives its students a thorough insight into the different disciplines.
Stay abroad at one of our many prestigious partner universities
Students of the bachelor’s program in Teacher Education: Political Science at the University of Mannheim will acquire sound knowledge of political science as well as didactic and educational skills. Apart from Teaching Methodology and Education Sciences the program includes:
Students of the master’s program in Teacher Education: Political Science will build on the knowledge and skills acquired during the bachelor’s program. By choosing one out of the following three modules, they will focus on a specific area of political science.
Students who have passed examinations in elective modules during their bachelor’s program at the University of Mannheim must not choose the same modules again in their master’s program.
For an overview of the course contents and skills you are meant to acquire during the program, please refer to the module catalog. The examination regulations provide the legal foundation for the program.
Studying an extension subject in your teacher education program enables you to complement the two subjects you chose in the bachelor’s and master’s program in Teacher Education with a third subject, in this case Political Science. You may apply for admission to the Master of Science Extension Subject program and also start taking courses in it while still pursuing your bachelor’s degree (you must have obtained at least 24 ECTS credits in a bachelor’s program with a focus on teacher education). The examination regulations provide the legal foundation for the program.
You should demonstrate your interest in learning about interdependences in society and analyzing them using statistical methods, be committed to your studies, and be able to work independently. Apart from that, your application for admission to the bachelor’s program in Teacher Education must include the following:
The master’s program in Teacher Education and the Master of Education Extension Subject program are not selective.
Bachelor’s program in Teacher Education: Political Science
The bachelor’s program in Teacher Education: Political Science starts in the fall semester. The University of Mannheim accepts applications every year between May 15 and July 15. You must apply online. After that, you need to print the application form and send it by post to the Admissions Office of the University of Mannheim. Your letter must include any other documents required for your application and arrive at the university by July 15 at the latest. If you have any questions on the application process, please contact the Admissions Office.
For comprehensive information on the application process, please see the guide to applying for admission to a bachelor’s and teacher education program (particularly subsection 2.2.1).
Master’s program in Teacher Education: Political Science
The master’s program in Teacher Education: Political Science starts in the fall semester. The University of Mannheim accepts applications every year between March 15 and May 21. You must apply online. If you have any questions on the application process, please contact the Admissions Office.
Political Science as a further subject in the master’s program in Teacher Education
The University of Mannheim accepts applications every year between March 15 and May 31. You must apply online.
Please read the Admissions Office’s guide to applying for admission to a bachelor’s and teacher education program carefully (and pay particular attention to subsection 3.1.7.). It includes everything you need to know about the application process and the dispatch of official letters of admission.
Please go to the Admissions Office’s website for more information.
If you have any questions on your degree program (course contents, program structure, stays abroad), don’t hesitate to contact our program managers. For questions relating to the application process, please contact the Admissions Office.
