The degree programme can be studied full-time or part-time and is divided into three areas: The subject specialization in social sciences, the inter- and transdisciplinary research practice and the interdisciplinary specialization.
A total of 36 CP are earned in the specialization in social sciences. Of these, 18 CP are allocated to the two compulsory modules, and a further 18 CP are allocated to the chosen specialization (political science, sociology or communication science). In the chosen specialization, two core modules must be completed, each with two related courses amounting to a total of 18 CP.
In the area of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research practice, you will acquire the required 27 CP by completing two modules. In addition to the project module (18 CP), you will complete the inter- and transdisciplinary bridge module in the first year of study.
The interdisciplinary specialization "Society, Environment and Technology in Transition" comprises 27 CP. You are free to choose the modules in this area, but modules with related content are recommended.
In total, all students take 4 modules from the social science subjects, 2 interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary modules and 4 to 6 modules from the area of "Society, Environment and Technology in Transition". On average, 10 to 12 modules are taken. In the final semester of the course, students complete the Master's thesis, which takes six months to complete and has a module size of 30 CP.
The social science core area
In addition to the two compulsory modules in sociology and political science, you choose two further core modules from the fields of sociology, political science and communication studies in the social sciences specialization. By choosing two core modules within a discipline, you determine your personal specialization.
With the specialization in sociology, you will acquire advanced theoretical and methodological knowledge of the analysis of social structures and processes. This mainly relates to the topics of social inequality, life course dynamics, educational and labor market processes and the interrelationship between working and private life. Other areas of focus include the current and future transformation of work and labour markets as well as organizational change and internal democracy.
If you choose to specialize in political science, you will learn specialized political science instruments, in particular from political field analysis, international relations and comparative government, in order to transfer and evaluate them to different areas. This includes in particular questions of conflict and cooperation in the organization of decision-making processes, e.g. in state-related policy fields such as health, transport, education or crime prevention, but also for individual controversial major projects or diplomatic crises.
The specialization in communication science enables you to apply communication science concepts, theories and methods to problem areas of the changing communication environment in the context of the individual and society. In terms of content, the focus is on communication science research on new media and science communication as well as individual and social usage and impact processes of digital and science communication and their application to other problem areas.
Inter- and transdisciplinary research practice
You will take two modules in the area of inter- and transdisciplinary research practice. The inter- and transdisciplinary bridge module is designed as a thematically open module, which is directly linked to ongoing inter- and transdisciplinary research projects at TU Braunschweig and thus brings you into contact with real research in the context of TU Braunschweig. It can be carried out with or without social science participation.
The project module is about the application and practical testing of the knowledge you have already acquired in the context of a project. The module can be carried out with or without social science participation and thus offers you a further opportunity to gain practical experience in inter- and transdisciplinary research.
The project can be integrated into ongoing research projects of the course lecturers. On the basis of cooperation with private or public organizations, you will also be made offers for projects which you can combine with an internship. At the same time, you are free to choose your own project topics and cooperation partners.
The project module can provide the basis for your six-month Master's thesis. University supervision is fundamental for all projects. The project phase is accompanied by specialist and methodological support at the university, which is thematically related to the requirements of the projects and covers issues such as project management or special methods. The project and the inter- and transdisciplinary specialization module underline the research orientation of the degree course.
The interdisciplinary specialization "Society, environment and technology in transition"
In the interdisciplinary specialization "Society, Environment and Technology in Transition", you will acquire sound skills in a wide range of subjects that are represented in research and teaching at TU Braunschweig. In particular, you will have the opportunity to combine social science and technical content and expertise.
A wide range of modules is available to you, from which you can choose an individual combination of modules tailored to your specialization. In addition to subjects in architecture and civil engineering, you can also choose modules in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, psychology, law and economics with an environmental science focus. If you would like to deepen your social science knowledge, you can take any social science modules in this area that you have not already taken in the subject specialization. If your interests are not covered by the modules on offer, you have the opportunity to apply for additional modules not yet listed in order to create your own individual specialization.
You are free to choose the modules in the interdisciplinary specialization.
The Master's thesis
The aim of the Master's thesis is to independently familiarize yourself with a social science topic and to work on it scientifically and methodically. It is possible to design the thesis in an interdisciplinary way, whereby the research focus should come from the social sciences.
