Introduction to social sciences
Can’t choose between cultural studies and psychology, political science and ethnology ? Are your interests broad? Then a social science degree would be the right thing for you. There is hardly a field of study that combines so many different disciplines. It is a kind of melting pot that combines social, political, legal and cultural aspects . The social sciences deal with the various facets of human coexistence, with the emergence of social groups, with social policy or with cultural analysis. Numerous combinations with other subjects are possible. This is reflected not least in the names of individual courses. There are courses in “Economics and Social Science” (University of Tübingen), “Cultural and Social Science” (University of Lucerne) or “Integrative Social Science” (TU Kaiserslautern).
Bachelor’s degree in social sciences
According to Toppharmacyschools.org, the courses offered for a bachelor’s degree in social sciences vary from university to university. Some focus more on sociological or political, others on economic or legal aspects. You should find out about the various offers before starting your studies to make sure that the degree program on offer covers your interests.
The course usually lasts six semesters . In the first year of study, students learn the theoretical basics and methodological knowledge in lectures and basic courses. Which these are depends on where the individual universities focus. As a rule, the first year of study focuses on the basics of empiricism and statistics and a theoretical overview of social interrelationships. The concentration on a certain subject area takes place from the second year of study. Some universities also expect an internship and / or a semester abroad .
Master’s degree in social sciences
The master’s program is about deepening certain topics and disciplines. Here, too, the universities have different offers. The focus is mainly on research and on analyzes and reflections on social phenomena . Depending on the interests and focus, these are examined from a sociological, legal or cultural perspective. The Master of Social Sciences (Master of Arts) normally lasts four semesters . The admission requirements depend on the specialty and the university: In addition to a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, BA degrees in numerous other fields are conceivable.
An overview of social science disciplines
The social sciences are often used interchangeably with either the social sciences or with sociology . In fact, they are somewhere in between: They are part of the social sciences, while sociology, in turn, is part of the social sciences. Their common denominator is the relationship to the order and organization of human coexistence .
The aim is to examine individual phenomena (such as certain types of behavior, the role of the sexes or the commission of criminal offenses) in their social contexts. Each individual discipline has its own focus and pursues a specific interest. Their methods are based on the empirical-analytical sciences as well as on the humanities. Sociology, gender studies and criminology are all characterized by their interdisciplinary approaches .
Sociology – Social Action in Society
There is no social science course in which sociology does not play a role. It is their core area and often the link between the various disciplines. Sociology has only existed since the beginning of the 20th century. She is interested in the origin, development and relationships of society . It is about observing, describing, analyzing and interpreting human coexistence and social action.
Gender Studies – Gender Roles in Society
In Germany, are Gender Studies a young discipline. Regular courses that deal exclusively with gender as a socio-cultural construct have only existed for a few years . Gender Studies is interested in the prevailing social relationships between the sexes and the inequalities that arise from them. Ethnicity, social class and sexuality also play a role here.
Criminology – criminal acts in society
The criminology is the study of crime. She mainly deals with different ways of looking at criminal acts and also deals with the conditions of delinquency. In general, criminology asks how crime arises or the individual course of criminal careers (“developmental criminology”). Although it belongs primarily to the legal sciences , it also includes other specialist sciences, such as sociology or psychology . She also uses empirical methods to calculate crime statistics.
Occupational fields
If you want to study social sciences, you have to be aware that you will not receive any training for a particular profession. Where and what he will work later depends on the professional orientation . The good thing about it: The interdisciplinary orientation opens up various professional fields in a wide variety of industries after studying social science . Potential employers are research and educational institutions, public institutions and administrations or media companies. Many social scientists work in political parties, associations or clubs or are active as political advisors.
