Social Sciences include the totality of Sciences about the Social life of the People.
Among the social sciences, there is a diverse group of different scientific disciplines, e.g. pedagogic/education sciences, psychology, political science, sociology, and social education.
Study programs related to social sciences are offered by universities, technical universities, some universities of applied sciences and are generally completed with a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree or, in some cases, a Diplom or even still a Magister’s degree.
Students of the social sciences should have a great interest in people and their social, economic, individual living condition. It is necessary to have an analytical rationalness and, depending on the subject and study focus, either researching distanced manner or on the contrary to enjoy practical, educational-instructing functions. General education, the ability to establish contact, empathy and the ability to work with people is essential.
For social scientists, there are no clear occupational areas, unlike scientists and law scientists. Hence, students should consider, how to structure their study close to a later work field. Therefore it can be useful to choose non-social scientific subjects at different places (temporarily abroad) or do internships during the study. Advanced training beyond university or a thesis that is close to a proper workplace can facilitate the transition to a certain occupational area. Knowledge of English and/or other foreign languages is indispensable.
Study Opportunities
Educational Science
Political Science
Psychology
Social Sciences, Sociology
Social Work, Social Education, Social Affairs
Sport
Theology, religion, philosophy
Social Sciences, Sociology
The social sciences and sociology are concerned with the principles, manifestations, and developments of human society. They study the purpose and structure of social systems as well as their origin, changes and mutual interactions.
Study Field Outline
In so doing, they take both an empirical approach based on exact and largely quantitative research of concrete situations as well as a systematic approach aimed at formulating relatively general and generally valid conclusions and socio-philosophical theories. As independent academic fields, they closely relate and interrelate with disciplines like economics (socio-economics), political science, philosophy, ethnology, psychology, and education.
The range of teaching offered by each university differs greatly, hence the choice of institution and degree or change of institution should be made with great care. In any case, students are recommended to extend and consolidate their knowledge in one of the above-specified neighboring fields. Some institutions also directly offer programmes with a sociological focus, e.g. in economics.
The acquisition of applied computing and foreign language skills is especially important to the career prospects. The study of social sciences for a teaching qualification in social studies has more of a political sciences focus than a sociological one.
Sociologists have no clearly defined field of responsibility and the career field will depend on the chosen study focus. And so sociologists can find positions in the most various of areas, e.g.
In higher education research and other state research institutions, with commercial market research and opinion polling institutes.
In teaching, e.g. in adult education centers and at schools and higher education institutions.
In public administration, e.g. in urban planning offices, in social work units, in youth work units, in the prison service, in federal and regional state ministries, in the health service.
In major corporations, e.g. in the fields of personnel management, continuing education, and training, statistics and market research, in PR work.
In industry, business and other working world organizations and associations, in the political parties.
In the media with radio and TV stations, or with publishing houses.
