Module 30-M-Soz-M7b Social Structure Analysis and Social Inequality b

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 in-depth knowledge of the state of research in social structure, life course and inequality research. Students learn to deal with research questions from the field of social structure analysis and social inequality research in a theoretically and empirically adequate manner and to use complex data sets from national and international social, behavioural and economic sciences.

The subject of the module is the manifestations, causes and consequences of social differentiation and inequality in social change. In terms of social structure, the focus is on the question of how mere differences between members of society - such as gender, age, ethnicity, social background - become social inequalities in terms of life chances and risks. This also involves the theoretical and empirical examination of postulated major trends in recent social development, for example with regard to the validity of meritocratic principles, disintegration, polarisation and pluralisation trends, the transformation of the working society or the repression of the nation-state frame of reference in favour of transnational references and regional affiliation.

Methodologically, the module focuses on longitudinal and life course research. Longitudinal analysis in particular is methodologically capable of empirically and adequately investigating the effects of structural and institutional developments on the development, life paths and behaviour of individual and collective actors and the social change induced as a result. The basic idea of the life course approach is that stability and change in social orders can best be captured by examining how cultural, institutional and structural conditions demand and promote certain characteristics and behaviours, and what consequences individual decisions and behaviour have in the face of cultural, institutional and structural conditions.

In more theoretically orientated seminars, students learn an in-depth critical-reflective approach, especially to

• newer behavioural science approaches,
• General theories of social structure, social change and social inequality and socio-structural organisational research;
• international comparative research;
• special theories of various subject areas of social structure analysis.

In empirical seminars linked to practical applications, students will engage in a theory-led examination of subject-related issues.

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

Completed or at least commenced study of module 30-M-Soz-M7a

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