Module 30-M-Soz-M2a Sociological Theory a

Faculty

Faculty of Sociology

Person responsible for module

Regular cycle (beginning)

Every semester

Credit points and duration

14 Credit points

For information on the duration of the modul, refer to the courses of study in which the module is used.

Competencies

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

As part of the general competence concept for the MA in Sociology (see https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/soziologie/studium/master/pdf/Kompetenzkonzept_Masterstudiengaenge.pdf), the module provides basic training in sociological theory and at the same time gives students the opportunity to strengthen their theoretical knowledge in selected areas. Students acquire the ability to understand theories in their systematics, to assess them comparatively and to test their application to selected topics and problems.

Content of teaching

Sociological theory describes and explains social reality with a higher degree of abstraction than empirical research is capable of. It makes it possible to see every day experiences and empirical research results in larger contexts in which they present themselves in new and different ways.

The seminar program on sociological theory comprises three different types of seminar: A first type of seminar provides in-depth knowledge of a single sociological theory (such as systems theory, rational choice theories, critical theory, interpretative sociologies, etc.). A second type of seminar deals with several theories side by side and imparts knowledge of the technology of theory comparison. A third type of seminar focuses on specific topics (politics, religion, art, etc.) or problems (inequality, globalization, nationalism, etc.) and examines them from different theoretical perspectives.

Students with little prior knowledge of sociological theory are strongly recommended to choose theory seminars that provide a basic knowledge of one or more theories.

The module programme is always completed with a written assignment. This always takes the form of a seminar paper.

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge of sociological theory is assumed for all students of this module. We recommend refreshing or catching up on self-study:

Schneider, Wolfgang Ludwig (2008/2009), Grundlagen der Soziologischen Theorie, 3 Bde., Wiesbaden, 3. Aufl., VS.
Joas, Hans/Knöbl, Wolfgang (2004): Sozialtheorie. Zwanzig einführende Vorlesungen, Frankfurt a. M.: Suhrkamp, 2004

Necessary requirements

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Explanation regarding the elements of the module

As an alternative to studying Seminar 1 and Seminar 2, a large seminar with double the scope can be taken.

Module structure: 1-2 SL, 1 bPr ¹

Courses

Alternativ zu Seminar 1 und Seminar 2: großes Seminar

Type seminar

Regular cycle Unregelmäßig

Workload⁵ 240 h (60 + 180)

LP 8 [SL]

Seminar 1

Type seminar

Regular cycle WiSe&SoSe

Workload⁵ 120 h (30 + 90)

LP 4 [SL]

Seminar 2

Type seminar

Regular cycle WiSe&SoSe

Workload⁵ 120 h (30 + 90)

LP 4 [SL]

Study requirements

Allocated examiner	Workload	LP²
Teaching staff of the course Alternativ zu Seminar 1 und Seminar 2: großes Seminar (seminar) Teaching staff, instructors, lecturers Alternative to Seminar 1 and Seminar 2: large seminar (Seminar) Participation in group work (including working on exercises, development of research designs, data collection and evaluation), moderation or protocol activities and presentations as specified by the lecturer. The coursework is used for communicative (written and/or oral) practice and learning of the competences to be acquired with a focus on the interaction situation of the seminar. The coursework is part of the self-study and attendance time and corresponds to approximately 60 hours.	see above	see above
Teaching staff of the course Seminar 1 (seminar) Participation in group work (including working on exercises, developing research designs, collecting and analyzing data), moderation or taking minutes and presentations as specified by the lecturer. The coursework is used for communicative (written and/or oral) practice and learning of the competences to be acquired with a focus on the interaction situation of the seminar. The coursework is part of the self-study and attendance time and corresponds to approximately 30 hours.	see above	see above
Teaching staff of the course Seminar 2 (seminar) Participation in group work (including working on exercises, developing research designs, collecting and analysing data), moderation or taking minutes and presentations as specified by the lecturer. The coursework is used for communicative (written and/or oral) practice and learning of the competences to be acquired with a focus on the interaction situation of the seminar. The coursework is part of the self-study and attendance time and corresponds to approximately 30 hours.	see above	see above

Examinations

term paper

Allocated examiner Person responsible for module examines or determines examiner

Weighting 1

Workload 180h

LP² 6

term papers are approx. 20-30 pages in length.
The examination is taken by a teaching staff, instructors, lecturers of one of the courses of the modules.

The module is used in these degree programmes:

Degree programme	Profile	Recommended start ³	Duration	Mandatory option ⁴
Political Science / Master of Arts [FsB vom 15.05.2019 mit Änderungen vom 01.11.2022, 28.06.2024 und 15.11.2024]	General Profile	2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Compulsory optional subject
Political Science / Master of Arts [FsB vom 15.05.2019 mit Änderungen vom 01.11.2022, 28.06.2024 und 15.11.2024]	Political Theory and International Political Theory	2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Compulsory optional subject
Political Science / Master of Arts [FsB vom 15.05.2019 mit Änderungen vom 01.11.2022, 28.06.2024 und 15.11.2024]	Public Sphere, Media, and Political Sociology	2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Compulsory optional subject
Political Science / Master of Arts [FsB vom 15.05.2019 mit Änderungen vom 01.11.2022, 28.06.2024 und 15.11.2024]	Public Policy, Governance and Regulation	2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Compulsory optional subject
Political Science / Master of Arts [FsB vom 15.05.2019 mit Änderungen vom 01.11.2022, 28.06.2024 und 15.11.2024]	World Politics	2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Compulsory optional subject
Political Communication / Master of Arts [FsB vom 22.07.2013 mit der Änderung vom 17.03.2014]		2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Compulsory optional subject
Sociology / Master of Arts [FsB vom 17.12.2012 mit Änderungen vom 17.03.2014, 30.11.2018, 01.11.2022, 28.06.2024 und 15.11.2024]	General Profile	1. o. 2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Obligation
Sociology / Master of Arts [FsB vom 17.12.2012 mit Änderungen vom 17.03.2014, 30.11.2018, 01.11.2022, 28.06.2024 und 15.11.2024]	Sociology of Work and Economics	1. o. 2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Compulsory optional subject
Sociology / Master of Arts [FsB vom 17.12.2012 mit Änderungen vom 17.03.2014, 30.11.2018, 01.11.2022, 28.06.2024 und 15.11.2024]	Organizational Sociology	1. o. 2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Compulsory optional subject
Sociology / Master of Arts [FsB vom 17.12.2012 mit Änderungen vom 17.03.2014, 30.11.2018, 01.11.2022, 28.06.2024 und 15.11.2024]	Political Sociology	1. o. 2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Compulsory optional subject
Sociology / Master of Arts [FsB vom 17.12.2012 mit Änderungen vom 17.03.2014, 30.11.2018, 01.11.2022, 28.06.2024 und 15.11.2024]	Social Structures and Social Inequality	1. o. 2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Compulsory optional subject
Sociology / Master of Arts [FsB vom 17.12.2012 mit Änderungen vom 17.03.2014, 30.11.2018, 01.11.2022, 28.06.2024 und 15.11.2024]	Sociology of the Global World	1. o. 2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Compulsory optional subject
Sociology / Master of Arts [FsB vom 17.12.2012 mit Änderungen vom 17.03.2014, 30.11.2018, 01.11.2022, 28.06.2024 und 15.11.2024]	Sociological Methods	1. o. 2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Compulsory optional subject
Sociology / Master of Arts [FsB vom 17.12.2012 mit Änderungen vom 17.03.2014, 30.11.2018, 01.11.2022, 28.06.2024 und 15.11.2024]	Sociological Theory	1. o. 2. o. 3.	one or two semesters	Obligation

Automatic check for completeness

The system can perform an automatic check for completeness for this module.

Legend

1: The module structure displays the required number of study requirements and examinations.
2: LP is the short form for credit points.
3: The figures in this column are the specialist semesters in which it is recommended to start the module. Depending on the individual study schedule, entirely different courses of study are possible and advisable.
4: Explanations on mandatory option: "Obligation" means: This module is mandatory for the course of the studies; "Optional obligation" means: This module belongs to a number of modules available for selection under certain circumstances. This is more precisely regulated by the "Subject-related regulations" (see navigation).
5: Workload (contact time + self-study)
SoSe: Summer semester
WiSe: Winter semester
SL: study requirement
Pr: Examination
bPr: Number of examinations with grades
uPr: Number of examinations without grades
: This academic achievement can be reported and recognised.