Program Overview

Politikwissenschaft (B.A.)

The Bachelor of Arts in Politikwissenschaft (Politics) is a comprehensive program that delves into the intricacies of political science, equipping students with a deep understanding of political systems, theories, and methodologies.

Program Overview

The program is designed to provide students with a thorough grounding in the principles of political science, including political theory, systems, and methodologies. The curriculum is structured to ensure that students gain a broad understanding of the field, as well as the ability to specialize in specific areas of interest.

Study Modules

The program consists of several study modules, including:

• Einführung in die Politikwissenschaft (Introduction to Political Science)
• Einführung in die Methoden wissenschaftlichen Arbeitens (Introduction to Research Methods)
• Einführung in qualitative und quantitative Methoden (Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Methods)
• Politische Theorie (Political Theory)
• Politische Systeme und Vergleich (Political Systems and Comparison)
• Theorie, Empirie und Geschichte der internationalen Beziehungen (Theory, Empiricism, and History of International Relations)
• Rechtliche und philosophische Grundlagen der Politik (Legal and Philosophical Foundations of Politics)
• Internationale Politische Ökonomie (International Political Economy)
• Politische Soziologie (Political Sociology)
• Politikfeldanalyse, insbesondere Umweltpolitik (Policy Field Analysis, especially Environmental Policy)
• Friedens- und Konfliktforschung (Peace and Conflict Research)
• Europäische Integration (European Integration)
• Regionale Politikanalyse (Regional Policy Analysis)

Study Area: Allgemeine Berufsvorbereitung (ABV)

The Allgemeine Berufsvorbereitung (ABV) study area is designed to provide students with a broad range of skills and knowledge that can be applied in various professional contexts.

Example Tasks

The program includes a range of example tasks and assignments that are designed to help students develop their skills and knowledge in political science. These tasks include:

• Politikbegriffe (Political Concepts)
• Ziele der Politikwissenschaft (Goals of Political Science)
• Die Studie von Marienthal (The Marienthal Study)
• Vor- und Nachteile sozialwissenschaftlicher Forschungsmethoden (Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Science Research Methods)
• Leviathan von Thomas Hobbes (Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan)
• Parlamentarisches Regierungssystem in der BRD (Parliamentary System of Government in Germany)
• Nichtstaatliche Akteure in der internationalen Politik (Non-State Actors in International Politics)
• Situative Impulse der Umweltpolitik (Situational Impulses of Environmental Policy)

Perspectives

The program provides students with a range of perspectives on political science, including:

• What can I do with a degree in political science?
• Examples of career paths and professional profiles, such as:
  • Melissa Günnewig, Policy Advisor
  • Alexandra Blöcker, Research Assistant, Parliamentary Office
  • Katrin Grothe, Office Manager and Personal Assistant, State Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia

Politikbegriffe

The concept of politics is complex and multifaceted, and there is no consensus on what exactly is meant by the term "politics." The scope and range of politics depend on the specific understanding of politics, which can be categorized into different types, including:

• Normativ orientierte Politikbegriffe (Normative Political Concepts)
• Macht- und herrschaftsorientierte Politikbegriffe (Power- and Domination-Oriented Political Concepts)
• Konfliktorientierte Politikbegriffe (Conflict-Oriented Political Concepts)