Sociology (accreditation in progress*)
Overview
| Degree | Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) |
| Standard program duration | 6 semesters |
| Admission restrictions | None |
| Start of study | Winter term |
| Language | German |
| Further information | Department of Social Scienes |
Short profile
In addition to providing general sociological skills in the areas of sociological thinking, theories, and social structure, we offer a focus on six key fields of social change (students choose two of them): Social inequalities and cultural differences, Life course and biography, Health and well-being, Work, organization and technology, Knowledge and education, and Environment and innovation.
Competencies in both qualitative-interpretative and quantitative research methods are taught; research workshops enable research-based learning on concrete practical examples in both method strands for each student.
Courses on professional fields and key qualifications, writing workshops, language courses and the option to take up tutoring activities provide additional qualifications for professional practice.
English-language courses are offered during the course of study. An anchored semester abroad is intended to provide the opportunity to get to know other study and life contexts; in addition, foreign 'incomings' enrich the studies with their perspectives.
Knowledge and skills
No previous knowledge is necessary. Applicants should bring curiosity and ask themselves whether and why things that are "just the way they are", actually are the way they are.
One should bring an interest in questions about social contexts and about individuals. Even in everyday life, we constantly find explanations for the actions of others as well as their causes. Sociology as a science is characterized by the fact that it is not satisfied with short-cut everyday explanations - in the interest of avoiding prejudices and generalizations. Therefore, the willingness to engage in new things is as important as a high motivational ability.
Knowledge of English is very useful, but no certificates are required for the admission to the degree program.
Occupation and fields of activity
The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology prepares students for jobs in a variety of career fields and industries that are not clearly defined in advance. Some possible fields of activity are:
- Public administration (especially in the fields of health, education, culture, urban planning and social services),
- Political parties and other interest groups, associations or organizations (for example, party-affiliated organizations, scientific services in the Bundestag and state parliaments, business and professional associations, foundations, NGOs),
- Market and opinion research, institutions of official statistics,
- Universities, universities of applied sciences, vocational and technical academies, non-university research institutes,
- Media (e.g., radio and television stations, online media, etc.),
- Publishers (e.g., technical editorial offices, proofreaders),
- Information economy (e.g., libraries and archives),
- Education and culture/sports (e.g., adult education, public relations),
- Corporate and public relations consulting,
- Healthcare (e.g. quality management or occupational health management),
- Administration of private companies, such as industry and commerce
Further information
A semester abroad is part of the degree program (usually obligatory). Contact persons in the department and an extensive offer of events and counseling services of the International Office will jointly ensure that students are comprehensively informed and accompanied right from the start.
In the complementary field, students can choose from Applied Literary and Cultural Studies, Applied Linguistics, Education in International Perspective, Journalism and Science Communication, Cultural Anthropology of Textiles, Music, Political Science, Psychology, Rehabilitation Education, Physical Education, Urban and Regional Sociology, and Statistics.
*) Please note: The degree program is currently still in the accreditation process. Any conditions imposed by the accreditation agencies may result in the modification or cancellation of the program.
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Location & approach
The campus of TU Dortmund University is located close to interstate junction Dortmund West, where the Sauerlandlinie A 45 (Frankfurt-Dortmund) crosses the Ruhrschnellweg B 1 / A 40. The best interstate exit to take from A 45 is “Dortmund-Eichlinghofen” (closer to South Campus), and from B 1 / A 40 “Dortmund-Dorstfeld” (closer to North Campus). Signs for the university are located at both exits. Also, there is a new exit before you pass over the B 1-bridge leading into Dortmund.
To get from North Campus to South Campus by car, there is the connection via Vogelpothsweg/Baroper Straße. We recommend you leave your car on one of the parking lots at North Campus and use the H-Bahn (suspended monorail system), which conveniently connects the two campuses.
TU Dortmund University has its own train station (“Dortmund Universität”). From there, suburban trains (S-Bahn) leave for Dortmund main station (“Dortmund Hauptbahnhof”) and Düsseldorf main station via the “Düsseldorf Airport Train Station” (take S-Bahn number 1, which leaves every 15 or 30 minutes). The university is easily reached from Bochum, Essen, Mülheim an der Ruhr and Duisburg.
You can also take the bus or subway train from Dortmund city to the university: From Dortmund main station, you can take any train bound for the Station “Stadtgarten”, usually lines U41, U45, U 47 and U49. At “Stadtgarten” you switch trains and get on line U42 towards “Hombruch”. Look out for the Station “An der Palmweide”. From the bus stop just across the road, busses bound for TU Dortmund University leave every ten minutes (445, 447 and 462). Another option is to take the subway routes U41, U45, U47 and U49 from Dortmund main station to the stop “Dortmund Kampstraße”. From there, take U43 or U44 to the stop “Dortmund Wittener Straße”. Switch to bus line 447 and get off at “Dortmund Universität S”.
The AirportExpress is a fast and convenient means of transport from Dortmund Airport (DTM) to Dortmund Central Station, taking you there in little more than 20 minutes. From Dortmund Central Station, you can continue to the university campus by interurban railway (S-Bahn). A larger range of international flight connections is offered at Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), which is about 60 kilometres away and can be directly reached by S-Bahn from the university station.
The H-Bahn is one of the hallmarks of TU Dortmund University. There are two stations on North Campus. One (“Dortmund Universität S”) is directly located at the suburban train stop, which connects the university directly with the city of Dortmund and the rest of the Ruhr Area. Also from this station, there are connections to the “Technologiepark” and (via South Campus) Eichlinghofen. The other station is located at the dining hall at North Campus and offers a direct connection to South Campus every five minutes.
The facilities of TU Dortmund University are spread over two campuses, the larger Campus North and the smaller Campus South. Additionally, some areas of the university are located in the adjacent “Technologiepark”.
Site Map of TU Dortmund University (Second Page in English).