Master's Programme Sociology: Social and Political Theory
Faculty | Faculty of Social and Political Sciences |
Duration / ECTS-Credits | 4 semesters / 120 ECTS-Credits |
Academic Degree |
Master of Arts (MA) |
Qualification Level |
Master (Second Cycle) ISCED-11: Level 7, EQF/NQF: Level 7 |
ISCED-F | 0388 Inter-disc. Progr. involv. Social Sciences, Journalism a. Inform. |
Mode of Study |
Full-Time |
Study Code |
UC 066 905 |
Curriculum | Information on the Curriculum (2008W)* |
Language of Instruction | German |
Admission Requirements |
Relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent and Language Certificates |
Application |
* Information on the Curriculum (2008W)
The complete version of the curriculum reflects the currently valid version of the curriculum. It is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding. The legally binding version of the curriculum, including any amendments, may be found in the University of Innsbruck Bulletins.
In order to determine which version of the curriculum is applicable in your case, see the Catalogue of Studies,
available at: https://lfuonline.uibk.ac.at/public/lfuonline_meinestudien.studienblatt
Section: Current Curriculum version.
University of Innsbruck Bulletins »
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin May 5 2021, Issue 62, No. 715 (amendment of the curriculum)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1st 2020)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin July 23 2020, Issue 43, No. 492 (modification of the curriculum)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1st 2019)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 2019, Issue 67, No. 593 (modification of the curriculum)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1st 2014)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin September 2014, Issue 46, No. 663 (Equivalence list)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 27 2014, Issue 36, No. 541 (modification of the curriculum)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1st 2008)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin February 19 2008, Issue 21, No. 188
Requirements
Relevant bachelor's degrees at the University of Innsbruck:
Proof of general university entrance qualification:
The general university entrance qualification for admission to a master's programme must be proven by the completion of a subject-related bachelor's programme, another subject-related programme of at least the same higher education level at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution, or a program defined in the curriculum of the master's programme. To compensate for significant differences in subject matter, supplementary examinations (maximum 30 ECTS credits) may be prescribed, which must be taken by the end of the second semester of the master's programme.
The rectorate may determine which of these supplementary examinations are prerequisites for taking examinations provided for in the curriculum of the master's programme.
In the course of the proof of the general university entrance qualification, the completion of the following core areas within the framework of the completed bachelor's degree programme shall be examined in any case:
- 15 ECTS-Credits Core Area: General Social Theories
- 9 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Special Sociology (incl. Gender)
- 15 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Methods on Empirical Social Research (incl. Statistics)
Recommended Course Sequence
The exemplary course sequence given below is recommended for full-time students beginning their study programme in the winter semester. The table shows one possible course sequence for the bachelor's programme and is not compulsory. Delays resulting from repeated examinations are not taken into account.
The standard duration of the study programme is 4 semesters or 120 ECTS-Credits, whereby according to the Universities Act of 2002, a workload of 1,500 (real) hours per academic year must be fulfilled, corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits (one ECTS-Credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 hours).
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Compulsory Module Philosophy of Science and Methodology of Social Sciences
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module History of Social and Political Thought
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module Classical Sociological Theory
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module Contemporary Sociological Theory
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module Systemic Social Theories
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module Theories of Action
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Compulsory Module Theory-Based Empirical Social and Policy Analysis
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module Theories of the State, Democracy and Power
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module Culture and Society
2.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis Colloquium
25.0 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis
2.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis Defense
Alternative Elective Modules »
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module Gender Theories
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module Individual Focus or Elective Module Professionals Practical Training
Qualification Profile and Skills
The Master’s programme provides students with a sovereign approach to sociological, social and political method and theory, skills that are key to the proper assessment of socio-scientific studies in applied fields of sociology, political science and empirical social research.
Socio-scientific perspectives sharpen the view for social phenomena on the macro, meso and micro level. Thus, power structures, social differentiation and inequality, state, culture, religion, ethnicity, globalisation processes, socio-cultural conflicts, aesthetics, gender as well as action mechanisms, interaction orders, familial structures, socialisation and identity are central topics dealt with in the Master’s programme.
Extra-functionally, the students acquire mental flexibility, analytical skills, communicative understanding of the new and generalisable knowledge as key qualifications. In addition, they acquire social skills, mediation and presentation techniques, teamwork skills and improve their verbal and written communication. The Master’s programme also contributes to the strengthening of independent performance and promotes critical reflection and tolerance towards other positions.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Graduates possess sound knowledge of the fundamental theoretical paradigms and discourses of the social sciences and understand their relevance for empirical social research and social practice. This enables them to address problems independently, to assess scientific knowledge and its motivation, to apply it in new research contexts and further its development creatively. Graduates are prepared for activities in scientific facilities and institutions (especially for the continuation of their studies in a doctoral programme) and for positions requiring leadership, planning, analysis and consultation in the private sector, in public administration and in international non-governmental and governmental organizations.
Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and Career Opportunities
By focusing on the central key competences in theory and method, the study programme prepares graduates with a maximum of feasibility for
- sociological research activities in scientific facilities and institutions or a continuing doctoral study programme just like for
- positions requiring leadership, planning, analysis and consultation in public administration, politics and in the private sector as well as in international governmental and non-governmental organisations,
- last but no least, for activities in the broad field of social research, social counselling or the rapidly growing media sector.
Postgraduate and further Studies at the University of Innsbruck
Minor
As part of the Master’s Programme, a Minor of 30 ECTS-Credits can be completed.
More information and a list of possible Minors can be found at:
https://www.uibk.ac.at/studium/angebot/wahlpakete/
Supplementary Programme
Within the scope of the Study Programme, a Supplementary Programme corresponding to 45 ECTS-Credits may be passed. Admission to the Supplementary Programme requires the admission to or the having passed of one of the selected Study Programmes. Detailed information: https://www.uibk.ac.at/studium/angebot/es-entrepreneurship/
Information about examination regulations, assessment and grading
Examination regulations
The examination regulation is an integral part of the curriculum, detailed information can be found under the paragraph examination regulations.
Description of the applied grading system (including the grade distribution table) »
The grade distribution table is a statistical representation of the distribution of all successfully completed examinations in a given programme of study or subject (based on all registered students for the programme or subject). The grade distribution table is updated in regular intervals.
Austrian grading scheme |
Definition |
%-age |
||
1 | EXCELLENT: Outstanding performance |
51.6 |
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= 100% |
2 |
GOOD: Generally good, but with some errors |
34.6 |
||
3 | SATISFACTORY: Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors |
10.4 |
||
4 | SUFFICIENT: Performance meets the minimum criteria |
3.4 | ||
5 | INSUFFICIENT: Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work |
December 2021
Overall classification of the qualification
Not applicable
Explanation: An overall classification (mit Auszeichnung bestanden/pass with distinction, bestanden/pass, nicht bestanden/fail) – is awarded only for examinations that conclude a programme of study and consist of more than one subject (an examination of this type is not specified in the curriculum of this programme of study).
Information about the Programme (in German only)
Recognitions (in German only)
Forms (in German only)
- Practical Agreement
- Examination Records
- Application for the Master's Thesis
- Assessment of the compulsory module: Preparation of the Master’s Thesis
- Cover Sheet for the Master's Thesis
- Declaration of Academic Honesty
- Submission of the Master's Thesis
- To block the Master's Thesis
- Application for Admission to the third and fourth repetition of a course examination
Contact and Information
Examination Office
Standort Universitätsstraße 15
Associate Dean of Studies
Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr. Bernhard Weicht
Dean of Studies
Assoz. Prof. Mag. Dr. Petra Missomelius, MA