Module 30-M-Soz-M7c Social Structure Analysis and Social Inequality c

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), students in the profile programme expand their knowledge of social structure, life course and inequality research. In particular, they acquire the competence to carry out advanced analyses such as longitudinal and multi-level analyses with existing data and to present the results of their own analyses in a written and oral form in line with the standards of the subject.

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 the modules' decidedly research-oriented seminars, advanced analyses such as longitudinal and multi-level analyses are carried out with existing data.

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

The study of module 30-M-Soz-M7a should already be completed and the study of module 30-M-Soz-M7b started.

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