Seite 1 von 14 Bachelorstudiengang Politikwissenschaft (Bachelor of Arts, B.A.), Hauptfach 120 in Englisch Stand: 23.05.2008 A. Pflichtmodule Pflichtmodul 1 (P 1): 12 Introduction to Political Theory 1 The module introduces students to the subject of Political Theory and Philosophy. 2 The subject matter essentially follows the history of political thought ranging from classical theorists of the antiquity and modern times (for example Aristotle or Thomas Hobbes) to contemporary political thinkers (for example John Rawls). 3 The aim of the module is to acquire knowledge about the history of political thought from antiquity to modern times in its historical context, its reception and impact as well as its remaining problematic content. 4 Throughout the module a more critical examination of the theories and approaches will evolve. Political Theory 1 (P 1.1) Basic Course on Political Theory (P 1.2) Political Science Research Methods (P 1.3) 1 The lecture introduces students to Political Theory and Philosophy. 2 It examines some of the basic concepts and justification models and gives an overview of the fundamental philosophical and theoretical approaches from the history of political thought. 3 The aim is to understand and be able to place the classics of political thought into theoretical history. 1 The course delves more deeply into the topics of the lecture on the basis of particular questions. 2 This will include issues on the understanding of scientific knowledge and theory building, on the anthropological basis and the justification of rules for political action and political order as well as on the legitimacy of sovereignty and the state. 3 These questions will be dealt with using sample writings of diverse thinkers from different time periods (antiquity, the Middle Ages, modern and contemporary). 4 The aim is to understand and critically analyse the writings which deal with very different approaches to political theory. 5 The goal here is to comprehend the difficulties and function of political theory building and its importance for practice. 1 The course practically introduces scientific research methods and teaches important key qualifications: deliberation- and working techniques, for example finding appropriate research topics, researching literature, 3
Seite 2 von 14 information and time management, scientific presentation skills (oral and written). 2 The aim is to familiarise students with research methods in political science and help them gain important skills necessary for independently acquiring knowledge and fulfilling the degree requirements. Pflichtmodul 2 (P 2): 9 Introduction to the Political System of Germany 1 The module introduces the subject of Political Systems and conveys special knowledge on the political system of the Federal Republic of Germany. 2 In the process theoretical requirements of democracy will also be taken into consideration. 3 The aim of the module is for students to understand the types, structural principals and institutions as well as the functionality of political systems using the example of Germany. The Political System of Germany (P 2.1) Basic Course on Political Systems (P 2.2) 1 The lecture illustrates the German political system, especially the foundations under constitutional law, the political institutions and actors, the political processes the responsibility of the state and different policies areas. 2 The aim is to describe, explain and evaluate political institutions (polity), political processes (politics) and policy in the Federal Republic of Germany. 1 The course goes more deeply into some of topic areas encountered in the lecture such as the systematic categorisation of political systems, the constitutional foundations of liberal democracies, electoral systems, actors and institutions of the system of government and the intermedial spaces, joint decision traps in federalism and the multi-level system of the EU as well as political culture. 2 Fundamental concepts and models of system analysis will be developed and applied to the political system of the Federal Republic of Germany on the basis of respective scholarly literature. 3 The aim is to become acquainted with key concepts for the analysis of political systems and to learn how to independently apply them.
Seite 3 von 14 Pflichtmodul 3 (P 3): Introduction to Comparative Political Science 1 The module introduces students to the comparative analysis of political systems. 2 Its content includes fundamental insights into the variance of institutions, actors and process in modern society. 3 The aim of the module is to acquire system theoretical and methodological as well as empirical knowledge (for example on the political systems in France, the United Kingdom, Russia and the United States). Comparative Political Science (P 3.1) Comparative Political Science Seminar (P 3.2) 1 The lecture introduces students to the comparative analysis of contemporary political systems. 2 Basic concepts of Comparative Political Science and important theoretical approaches will be conveyed systematically and illustrated with the help of empirical examples. 3 Emphasis will be placed on the comparison of institutional subsystems, selected aspects of political processes as well as the comparative evaluation of the capacity of modern political systems. 4 The aim is to obtain an understanding of basic concepts for comparative analysis in order to develop a fundamental understanding of relevant scientific problems of modern societies and the specifics of different political systems. 1 The course goes more deeply into the topics of the lecture. 2 It serves the purpose of developing specific subareas of Comparative Political Science (for example comparative party research, comparative political culture research etc.) and also includes studies of countries and serves to consolidate the knowledge on the political systems of individual countries or groups of countries (regions). 3 The aim is for students to be able to systematically compare the political institutions (polity), political processes (politics) and policy in different political systems using empirical knowledge, and to acquire fundamental methodological knowledge on comparison. 3
Seite 4 von 14 Pflichtmodul 4 (P 4): 9 Introduction to International Relations 1 The module introduces students to the subject of International Relations and deals with the discipline s fundamental research questions. 2 Thereby, it on the one hand considers central empirical problems of international, transnational and supranational politics, and on the other hand examines theoretical and methodological approaches with which these phenomena can be understood and explained. 3 The aim of the module is for students to understand, critically evaluate and apply basic concepts, theories and methods of the discipline of International Relations to the analysis of international politics. International Relations 1 (P 4.1) Basic course on International Relations (P 4.2) 1 The lecture offers an introduction into the problem areas of international politics. 2 Structures (for example anarchy, hegemony, bi-polarity and multi-polarity), actors (for example states, interest groups, international organisations and NGOs) and processes (for example development, juridification, globalisation) of international, transnational und supranational politics are illustrated and critically examined on the basis of respective theories of International Relations. 3 The aim is to gain an insight into the historical developments of international relations as well as the theoretical developments of International Relations as a subject. 1 The basic course delves more deeply into the topics of the lecture. 2 It will discuss and draw on specific theoretical approaches in order to understand the international system, its historical background and its contemporary problems (for example peace, security, human rights and terrorism). 3 The aim is for students to understand, critically evaluate and apply the basic concepts and theories of International Relations to empirical problem areas of international politics.
Seite 5 von 14 Pflichtmodul 5 (P 5): 9 Introduction to the Methods of Political Science 1 The module introduces the empirical methods of political science research. 2 The module will address theoretical scientific foundations, questions of research design, different procedures for data collection and quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis and evaluation. 3 The aim of the module is for students to acquire knowledge on and be able to independently apply methods of empirical political research to social scientific questions and thereby obtain problem solving competencies. Methods of Political Science (P 5.1) Methods of Political Science Seminar (P 5.2) Methods of Political Science Tutorial (P 5.3) 1 The lecture will present and illustrate the individual steps of a social science research process: the different possibilities of data collection, the typing and scaling of the data, the different presentation possibilities available for data as well as initial evaluation procedures. 2 The aim for students is to gain fundamental methodological competencies and to learn the terminology and the most important procedural methods. 1 This course will practice the topics of the lecture on the basis of concrete empirical questions and examples. 2 In doing so the social scientific research process will be made more comprehensible. 3 The aim is to apply the methods of empirical political research to concrete examples. 1 This course teaches the application of popular statistics software packages and practically utilises suitable statistical methods of analysis. 2 The aim is to practically apply methodological competencies and to learn key qualifications in the field of computer assisted data collection and evaluation. 3 Tutorial course 3 Pflichtmodul (P ): 9 International Relations Consolidation Module 1 The module goes deeper into the analysis of International Relations. 2 The subject matter includes different theoretical, methodological, empirical and normative questions of international politics including the foreign policy of states, international institution building and the development of specific policy areas. 3 The aim of the module is to understand and explain the diversity of international, transnational and supranational actors, structures and processes.
Seite von 14 International Relations 2 (P.1) International Relations Seminar (P.2) 1 The lecture goes deeper into the subject of international politics and examines a range of the following issues: problem areas of international politics (for example security policy or international economic policy), international institutions (for example the United Nations or regional organisations) or foreign policies of selected countries. 2 The aim is to understand and critically reflect on the theoretical problems, the practical dimensions and the normative implications of international politics, foreign policy decisions as well as international and transnational processes of interaction. 1 The delves more deeply into some of the questions encountered in central problem areas of International Relations. 2 Throughout, the course will showcase different theoretical and methodological approaches to capture the structures and actors within international, transnational and supranational political processes. 3 The aim is to extend the theoretical and methodological competencies, gain more detailed knowledge on special problem areas of International Relations and combine both in critical analysis of international and transnational processes of interaction or foreign policy decision-making processes. Pflichtmodul 7 (P 7): 9 Political Theory Consolidation Module 1 The module goes deeper into the study of Political Theory and Philosophy. 2 The subject matter thereby encompasses systematic questions and approaches. 3 The emphasis is on the systematic and contemporary political theory and philosophy, among other things with questions of political rationality, the normative foundations of democracy and contemporary thinkers such as John Rawls. 4 The aim of the module is to study approaches of contemporary political theory and philosophy and develop a systematic understanding of the normative dimensions of democratic politics.
Seite 7 von 14 Political Theory 2 (P 7.1) Political Theory Seminar (P 7.2) 1 The lecture will systematically illustrate the most important topics and concepts of contemporary Political Theory and Philosophy and its connection with classical positions. 2 Among others this will include the new contractual theorists, liberal, communitarian and neoaristocratic approaches. 3 The aim is to capture the most important paradigms of contemporary normative political thinking, to develop an awareness of the problems of the normative dimension of democratic politics and to strengthen the systematic political powers of reasoning. 1 The deepens selected topics of Political Theory. 2 In the process the class will jointly explore works by specific theorists from the history of political thought to the present, trace theoretical debates and apply them to current political questions. 3 The aim is to grasp the most important paradigms of contemporary normative political thinking on the basis of selected topics of the lecture, to develop an awareness of the problems of the normative dimension of democratic politics and to strengthen the systematic political powers of reasoning. Pflichtmodul 8 (P 8): 9 Europe 1 The module addresses the change states have faced in Europe. 2 Emphasis will be placed on the European integration process as well as the European Union. 3 The aim of the module is to understand and analyse structures, actors, processes and content of the European dimension of politics in a problem orientated manner. European Integration (P 8.1) European Integration Seminar (P 8.2) 1 The lecture introduces students to the topic of European integration. 2 It will address the foundations of the political system of the European Union (for example the questions concerning the contractual basis, the institutional system, the decision-making process, the policy content and the political culture), its role in the world as well as theories of integration. 3 The aim is for students to understand the process and perspectives of European integration and comprehend how Europe is governed. 1 The course deepens and analyses the topics of the lecture on the basis of selected exemplary questions. 2 The aim is for students to deal with and reflect on
Seite 8 von 14 specific questions and problems of European integration in a differentiated manner. Pflichtmodul 9 (P 9): 9 Political Systems Consolidation Module 1 The module delves deeper into the analysis of political systems. 2 The subject matter includes the topics such as systems of government, economic systems, social and judicial order of different democratic states as well as the subject of political-culture research. 3 The aim of the module is to scientifically consolidate knowledge, describe, explain and evaluate political institutions, political processes and policies in democracies in a methodological appropriate manner. Political Systems (Consolidation) (P 9.1) Political Systems Seminar (P 9.2) 1 The lecture examines questions concerning topics such as systems of government, economic systems, social and judicial systems as well as cultural foundations of politics in a historical and international comparison. 2 These topics will draw on the development of the Federal Republic of Germany and possibly at least one other important contemporary political system. 3 The aim is to gain more consolidated knowledge on political systems and understand the specific differences regarding the systems of government or the economic systems and the social and judicial order of different countries. 1 The consolidates the topics of the lecture on the basis of specifically selected questions, policies and countries. 2 Here the emphasis will be on the area of theoretical approaches and typologies for the analysis of political systems or on the empirical investigation of effectiveness of different political systems. 3 The aim is to critically evaluate the political system of one or more countries and assess its concrete empirical characteristics on the basis of theoretically designed approaches and criteria.
Seite 9 von 14 Pflichtmodul 10 (P 10): 18 Final Module 1 The final module of the bachelor degree asks students to independently author a scientific thesis. 2 Here students have to attend to and present a relevant and suitable topic of political science using the techniques of scientific research learned throughout the degree. 3 The aim of the final module is to research a complex political scientific question efficiently, in a theoretically substantiated and suitable manner as well as present the results of the project in a written form in the framework of the thesis and in an oral form in the framework of the. 4 Thereby students show that they have successfully completed the bachelor degree in political science and are capable of conducting independent scientific work. Bachelor Thesis Seminar (P 10.1) Bachelor Thesis (P 10.2) 1 In this students will present and critically discuss their bachelor thesis project. 2 Apart from the presentation of the students projects the will discuss the fundamental approaches to writing and presenting a scientific final degree thesis on the basis of appropriate educational readings. 3 In the process this will cover a selection of the following topics geared towards the students needs: finding an appropriate question, structure and style of scientific work, how to set up a hypothesis and problems of ascertainment and evaluation. 4 The aim of the is to support the students with the writing of their bachelor thesis by practising the design, structure and the formulation on the basis of concrete questions. 5 In addition the course gets students to practise oral and written presentation techniques for complex scientific problems and questions in the framework of a final degree thesis. 1 The bachelor thesis is a written text with approximately 80.000 characters concerned with a question or subject of political science. 2 The bachelor thesis should show that the student is able to independently and scientifically deal with a problem within the subject of political science within a 10 week time period. 12
Seite 10 von 14 B. Wahlpflichtmodule Wahlpflichtmodul 1 (WP 1): Specialisation in Political Theory and Methods 1 In this module students specialise in the subject of Political Theory as well as Political Science Research Methods. 2 This combination commences with questions concerning philosophy of science and epistemology. 3 Building on this the module emphasises a number of the following topics: symbolic logic, decision- and game theory, the logic of collective decisions, methods of statistical analysis and empirical politics research. 4 The aim of the module is to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the methods of political science and of political theory and to enable students to independently read and criticise scientific methods and texts. 9 Political Theory and Methods (WP 1.1) Political Theory and Methods Seminar (WP 1.2) 1 The lecture introduces logic and deals with key concepts of epistemology and philosophy of science in general or the methods of empirical social-scientific research. 2 The aim is to understand concepts central to philosophy of science, to develop a methodologically appropriate scientific understanding and combine this with methodical problem solving abilities. 1 The delves more deeply into certain questions of the module in areas concerning the philosophy of science, decision theory, logic or statistical methods of analysis used in empirical politics research. 2 The aim is to independently work with questions in philosophy of science or tasks in empirical politics research on the basis of selected readings, thinkers and methods.
Seite 11 von 14 Wahlpflichtmodul 2 (WP 2): Specialisation in Governance 1 The module examines new forms of governing in complex rule-based systems beyond the nation state, which in political science are subsumed under the term Governance, from a national and international perspective. 2 Some of the topics of the module include non-hierarchical, consensus orientated means of decision making, the inclusion of new societal actors in decision making and the policy implementation as well as the use of soft, non-judicial control instruments. 3 The aim of the module is to scientifically understand and critically evaluate the achievements, limits and problems of governance. 9 Governance (WP 2.1) Governance Seminar (WP 2.2) 1 The lecture gives an overview of the different forms of governance. 2 From a national perspective this will include topics in the area of new public management, publicprivate partnerships and corporatism, in the area of international politics this will include the topic-areas of global governance and multi-level-governance. 3 The aim is to identify and understand the different forms of governance. 1 The will delve deeper into the topics of the lecture on the basis of certain selected questions in the area of national and international politics. 2 The aim is to analyse the development of material politics beyond (nation-) state actors and processes and to critically evaluate the effectiveness, limits and consequential problems of governance. Wahlpflichtmodul 3 (WP 3): Specialisation in Europe 1 The module delves deeper into topics of European politics. 2 A focus will be placed on the questions which arise out of integration or transformation processes and the system transformation in Europe. 3 The subject matter will include types of institutional change in European states as well as Europeanization processes including the legitimacy problems and the global dimension. 4 The aim of the module is to understand and systematically examine the complexity of European politics from a theoretical as well as empirical perspective. 9
Seite 12 von 14 Politics in Europe (WP 3.1) European Politics Seminar (WP 3.2) 1 The lecture deals with the challenges of European politics from an individual states and European perspective. 2 The developments within the European states, the interdependence in the European multi-level system as well as the networks to non-eu members will be of particular interest. 3 The aim is to identify and assess the complex political, economic and societal processes of change in Europe. 1 The will delve deeper into the questions raised in the lecture. 2 For example by examining the processes of Europeanization in selected policy areas (such as trade, environmental and security policy). 3 The aim is to independently analyse the problems of European politics in a methodologically suitable manner. Wahlpflichtmodul 4 (WP 4): Research Module 1 The research module establishes a link to political scientific research and singles out topics from one of the three branches of political science (Political Theory, Political Systems and International Relations). 2 The aim of the module is to give students orientation and insight into political scientific research in view of continuing social scientific studies. 12 Research Design (WP 4.1) Advanced Seminar Political Theory (WP 4.2.1) 1 The will examine concrete questions concerning problem identification, conceptualisation, theory building and the choice of research method in view of degree papers and the final thesis. 2 The will introduce the relevant theoretical and methodological problems, discuss possible solutions and help develop own questions and research designs. 3 The aim of the is to help students make substantiated choices with regards to their theory and method and help them compose a research design in a proposal for a scientific piece of work in political science. 1 The advanced deals with one research object out of the area of Political Theory and Philosophy. 2 The reading of respective current research literature is an essential part of the course. 3 The subject matter orientates itself along the topics in the introductory and consolidation modules in Political Theory and expands them by including problems and questions in current research, for example in the area of history of political thought or the systematic and contemporary political Advanced
Seite 13 von 14 theory and philosophy. 4 The aim of the advanced is to analyse and criticise theoretical and methodological research approaches and subjects in the area of Political Theory and Philosophy as well as relate these to one s own research orientated course paper. Advanced Seminar Political Systems (WP 4.2.2) 1 The advanced deals with one research object out of the area of Political Systems or Comparative Political Science. 2 The reading of respective current research literature is an essential part of the course. 3 The subject matter orientates itself along the topics in the introductory and consolidation modules in Political Systems and Comparative Political Science and expands them by including problems and questions in current research, for example in the area of policy analysis, the problems and strategies of applied political research or governing in a multi-level system. 4 The aim of the advanced is to analyse and criticise theoretical and methodological research approaches and subjects in the area of Political Systems and Comparative Political Science as well as relate these to one s own research orientated course paper. Advanced Advanced Seminar International Relations (WP 4.2.3) 1 The advanced deals with one research object out of the area of International Relations or European Integration. 2 The reading of respective current research literature is an essential part of the course. 3 The subject matter orientates itself along the topics in the introductory and consolidation modules in International Relations or European Integration and expands them by including problems and questions in current research, for example in the area of foreign and security policy, international institutions, conflict research or the theoretical debates in International Relations. 4 The aim of the advanced is to analyse and criticise theoretical and methodological research approaches and subjects in the area of International Relations or European Integration as well as relate these to one s own research orientated course paper. Advanced
Seite 14 von 14 Wahlpflichtmodul 5 (WP 5): Module 1 The practical module establishes a connection between the degree and the career after university. 2 Apart from the specific tasks within the framework of the internship the module will teach important key qualifications such as organisational and team working skills. 3 The aim of the module is to prepare students for their professional career after the degree, to gain important key qualifications and learn how to combine their acquired theoretical and empirical knowledge and competencies with practical career tasks. 12 Internship in a company, organization or institution (WP 5.1) Internship Support (WP 5.2) 1 The internship generally covers a period of 0 days and has to be completed at an institution, organization or company which offers activities related to the future career choice of the political science graduate. 2 For example in parties, factions, interest groups, in the office of a member of parliament, NGOs, in parliaments, government and administrative agencies, international organisations such as the departments of the European Union or the United Nations, in political foundations and academies, scientific institutions, publishers, editorial offices, PR and marketing companies or management consultancies. 3 During their internship the students should be involved in the day-to-day business or project responsibilities of the organisation or agency. 4 The aim of the internship is to collect and build up practical experience and contacts. 1 The helps and supports students with finding and planning their internship. 2 The completion of the internship is accompanied and prepared by an exchange of experience with other interns as well as with professionals (from organisations, institutions and companies). 3 Here topics will include for example job application training, information on possible career paths and application possibilities for graduates of political science (among other things in international organizations) or occupational key qualifications (for example teamwork or mediation expertise). 4 The aim of the is to support the students with their search, their application and their decision on where to complete their internship as well as offer a forum for exchanging experience and communicating key qualifications. 9 3