Module 30-M-Soz-M13 Internship

Non-official translation of the module descriptions. Only the German version is legally binding.

The module teaches students the ability to apply the theoretical, methodological and empirical knowledge acquired during their studies in an exemplary manner in application contexts and to relate it to practical problems in an interpretative and solution-oriented manner. In particular, students acquire the competence to write a scientific paper within the framework of a practical activity.

Students are expected to develop and reflect on the structure and functions of a practical field largely independently (corresponding to the level of an MA degree programme), to analyse the limits and possibilities of applying social science knowledge and to identify a question in the context of the internship activity which can then be dealt with scientifically.

The internship is at the centre of the module, during which students will carry out their own small scientific study. The internship is completed in sociologically relevant fields of activity, e.g. in companies, administrations, social support departments, political parties, associations, international organisations, non-profit associations. The internship should total at least 240 hours and must be completed during the history of the Master's degree programme.

Employment or voluntary work carried out before (maximum one year) or during the course of study can be recognised upon application to the Internship Office, provided that these activities comply with the regulations of the internship and an academic paper is written in relation to this activity.

The search for suitable internships and the initiation of contact are part of the internship-related requirements for students; however, the Faculty's Internship Office is happy to provide support in this regard. The internship is supervised by a teaching staff member of the Faculty. The supervision of the internship by the teaching staff includes, in addition to the agreement on tasks to be carried out in the internship institution after consultation with the latter and a final discussion, in particular the supervision of the preparation of a term paper.

The following documents must be submitted to the Faculty's Internship Office as proof of the internship: A certificate from the employing department stating the date of the internship, the project duration and the type of activities carried out; a form to be completed by the supervisor (copies are available from the Internship Office, digital templates are available online) and a copy of the term paper, which will be archived in the Internship Office for inspection if consent is given.

The examination comprises a term paper of 20-30 pages. This term paper is not an internship report in which you reflect on your own activities during the internship, but your own scientific term paper. This paper can, for example, be a sociological analysis of the organisation in which the internship is completed, a sociological analysis of an aspect of the environment relevant to the internship position or a sociological analysis of an issue relevant to the internship position.

Consultation with the chosen mentor about the internship and its tasks.

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