Political Science as a Minor
Please note: as the minor in Political Science is taught in German, the courses and documents listed on this page are only available in German.
What is Political Science?
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:
- European integration
- Political violence and civil wars
- Globalization
- Political communication
- Political participation
- Voter behavior
- Parties and political culture
- Political actors and institutions
- Election systems and development of democracy
- Political economy
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.
What is Political Science not?
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 might 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 to study Political Science. With a degree in Political Science, you can become anything from a civil servant to a private sector employee and from a researcher to a politician. The Internship Office offers an extensive range of career guidance services.
Degree plans and documents
Students at the School of Social Sciences
Bachelor’s program in Sociology
Sociology students can choose Political Science as a minor, requiring them to take courses worth 33 ECTS credits in total. They need to complete the following modules:1. The basic module Introduction to Political Science
Basic module Introduction to Political Science 1st semester (fall) Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten (exercise course) 2 ECTS credits 1st semester (fall) Einführung in die Politikwissenschaft (lecture)
or
Einführung in das Politische System der BRD (lecture)6 ECTS credits 2. One of the following three basic modules:
Basic module Comparative Politics 2nd semester (spring) Einführung in die Vergleichende Regierungslehre (lecture) 6 ECTS credits 2nd semester (spring) Einführung in die Vergleichende Regierungslehre (introductory seminar) 5 ECTS credits or
Basic module Political Sociology 3rd semester (fall) Einführung in die Politische Soziologie (lecture) 6 ECTS credits 3rd semester (fall) Einführung in die Politische Soziologie (introductory seminar) 5 ECTS credits or
Basic module International Relations 3rd semester (fall) Einführung in die Internationalen Beziehungen (lecture) 6 ECTS credits 3rd semester (fall) Einführung in die Internationalen Beziehungen (introductory seminar) 5 ECTS credits
3. Two out of three lectures from the advanced modules:4th semester (spring) / 5th semester (fall)
Ausgewählte Themen der Politischen Soziologie (lecture) 7 ECTS credits 4th semester (spring) / 5th semester (fall)
Ausgewählte Themen der Vergleichenden Regierungslehre (lecture) 7 ECTS credits 4th semester (spring) / 5th semester (fall)
Ausgewählte Themen der Internationalen Beziehungen (lecture) 7 ECTS credits Examination regulations for students whose program started in the 2015 fall semester
Students at the Business School
Bachelor’s program in Economic and Business Education
1) Mandatory course- Lecture Einführung in die Politikwissenschaft (6 ECTS credits) in the fifth semester (fall)
2) Students must choose three out of the following four courses:
Fall/
5th semesterDatenerhebung/ Empirische Methoden der Politikwissenschaft (lecture) 6 ECTS credits Fall/
5th semesterEinführung in die Internationalen Beziehungen (lecture) 6 ECTS credits Spring/
6th semesterEinführung in die Vergleichende Regierungslehre (lecture) 6 ECTS credits Spring/
6th semesterEinführung in die Vergleichende Regierungslehre (introductory seminar) 5 ECTS credits During the bachelor’s program in Economic and Business Education, students obtain 23–24 ECTS credits in their Political Science minor.
Master’s program in Economic and Business Education
1) Mandatory coursesFall Einführung in das politische System der BRD (lecture) 6 ECTS credits Fall Einführung in die Politische Soziologie (lecture) 6 ECTS credits Fall Einführung in die Politische Soziologie (introductory seminar) 5 ECTS credits Fall Einführung in die Internationalen Beziehungen (introductory seminar) 5 ECTS credits Spring Politikdidaktik (seminar) 4 ECTS credits 2) Students must attend one lecture from each of the following three areas respectively:
Fall/ spring Ausgewählte Themen der Vergleichenden Regierungslehre (lecture) 7 ECTS credits Fall/ spring Ausgewählte Themen der Politischen Soziologie (lecture) 7 ECTS credits Fall/ spring Ausgewählte Themen der Internationalen Beziehungen (lecture) 7 ECTS credits During the master’s program in Economic and Business Education, students obtain 47 ECTS credits in their Political Science minor.
Mannheim Master in Management program
Students on the Mannheim Master in Management program can take up to three the following courses in their minor in Political Science:Basic module: two lectures from the following list
Fall Einführung in die Politikwissenschaft (lecture) 6 ECTS credits Fall Einführung in die Politische Soziologie (lecture) 6 ECTS credits
Spring Einführung in die Vergleichende Regierungslehre (lecture) 6 ECTS credits
Fall Einführung in die Internationalen Beziehungen (lecture) 6 ECTS credits
Fall Einführung in das politische System der BRD (lecture) 6 ECTS credits
Advanced module: two lectures from the following list
Fall/
springAusgewählte Themen der
Vergleichenden Regierungslehre (lecture)7 ECTS credits Fall/
springAusgewählte Themen der
Politischen Soziologie (lecture)7 ECTS credits
Fall/
springAusgewählte Themen der
Internationalen Beziehungen (lecture)7 ECTS credits
Students at the Department of Economics
Bachelor’s program in Economics
Economics students need to obtain at least 6 ECTS credits and may obtain up to 33 ECTS credits in their Political Science minor.1. Mandatory course:
1st semester (fall) Lecture Einführung in die Politikwissenschaft 6 ECTS credits
2. Elective coursesIntroductory lectures 1st semester (fall) Lecture Einführung in das politische System der BRD 6 ECTS credits 2nd semester (spring) Lecture Einführung in die Vergleichende Regierungslehre 6 ECTS credits 3rd semester (fall) Lecture Einführung in die Politische Soziologie 6 ECTS credits 3rd semester (fall) Lecture Einführung in die Internationalen Beziehungen 6 ECTS credits Introductory seminars and exercise courses 1st/ 3rd semester (fall) Lecture Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten 2 ECTS credits Spring Introductory seminar Einführung in die Vergleichende Regierungslehre 5 ECTS credits Fall Introductory seminar Einführung in die Politische Soziologie 5 ECTS credits Fall Introductory seminar Einführung in die Internationalen Beziehungen 5 ECTS credits - Students who wish to attend an introductory seminar must complete the “Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten” exercise course first.
- In the minor in Political Science, they can take one introductory seminar at most.
- For the introductory seminar to be recognized, they need to attend the corresponding introductory lecture.
Advanced module 4th/ 5th/6th semester
spring/fall Lecture Ausgewählte Themen der Vergleichenden Regierungslehre 7 ECTS credits 4th/
5th/6th semester
spring/fall Lecture Ausgewählte Themen der Politischen Soziologie 7 ECTS credits 4th/
5th/6th semester
spring/fall Lecture Ausgewählte Themen der Internationalen Beziehungen 7 ECTS credits Students who wish to attend a lecture from one of the advanced modules are required to have successfully completed the corresponding introductory lecture.
FAQ
How do I register for courses and examinations?
Each semester, you need to register online for those examinations you would like to take at the end of the lecture period. You will need to do so within a period defined by Student Services.
If you are a bachelor’s student, you will also need to register for all courses that you are meant to take in the respective semester as per the degree plan (including social skills courses). That way, the Student Services’ electronic campus management system (Portal²) keeps track of which student has already attended which courses and how often they have taken exams in those courses.PLEASE NOTE: The exam registration period falls within the lecture period, which means that you cannot register for your examinations via the Student Services’ campus management system before the lecture period starts.
Each semester, the periods during which you can register for exams will be published on the Student Services’ website.
Online registration is done via Portal².Can I change my minor?
Usually, first-year students can select their minor for the fall semester in August and for the spring semester in January. Student Services will inform you about the relevant procedures about four weeks before the selection period begins. You can change your minor again after your first or second semester. Please contact Student Services for further information.
Can I have credits obtained abroad recognized for my minor?
If you have the opportunity to take courses in other subjects abroad, it is also possible to have courses recognized for your minor. The decision on the recognition of courses for the minor lies with the respective departmental exchange coordinator or with the teacher. Please inquire about the respective regulations at the school in question.
Specific regulations for Sociology/
Political Science: - ZfS courses: Courses on cultural studies and language courses may also be recognized. Language courses are recognized by the departmental exchange coordinators. Courses on cultural studies and other courses have to be approved by the Center for Development of Key Competencies (ZfS) .
Psychology
- The recognition of applied subjects can also take place, for example, by attending courses in Business Administration, which can be recognized for Work and Organizational Psychology or Consumer Psychology.
What is Portal²?
Academic advising
Do you have any more questions? We’re happy to advise you!
Please do not hesitate to contact the program manager for Political Science, who will be at your disposal as long as you take courses in your minor, if you have any subject-specific questions on structuring your minor or on the recognition of credits obtained abroad.
