Social Sciences, M.A. - Conflicts in politics and society
Conflicts exist at all levels of social relations: between individuals and groups, within and between societies and cultures, as well as in inter- and transnational spheres. The master’s degree programme covers theories and methods of conflict analysis. It enables a comprehensive understanding of the causes of conflict and ways to handle them in politics and society.
- What contribution do conflicts make to societal cohesion? What conflicts typically arise in which social conditions? Which social and political problems are behind conflicts?
- How can potential conflicts be identified, theoretically and empirically analysed, and prevented at the personal micro level, the societal macro level, and at the transnational level?
- What role do actors, interests, resources, and political and social institutions play in causing and solving conflicts?
- What terms and arguments are used to interpret and resolve conflicts? What role do linguistic attributions and discourses play in conflict dynamics?
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Degree Structure
In the first semester, you will receive a sound overview of the current state of theoretical discussion in the social sciences and an overview of the relevant methods used in the empirical research of conflicts. In the following semesters, you can choose to specialise in an area of conflict analysis through the elective modules.
At the end of your master’s degree, you will…
... understand the key instruments of conflict analysis as well as political and societal strategies for regulating conflict.
Your Future Career
The aim of the master’s degree programme is to prepare you for consulting and research opportunities in politics or the social sciences, either in Germany or internationally. Political, social-cultural, societal, and economic organisations and institutions have a need for graduates with the relevant knowledge and analytic competencies. Government administrations and parties, associations, denominational organisations, unions, non-government organisations, and research institutes are your future employers. Possible activities range from personal management and organisational consultancy to public relations and political consultancy, as well as teaching and research.
About the Student Council
The student council SoWiSo is composed of social science students from the bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes. At the University of Augsburg, the student council is your contact for all questions about the degree programme as well as for explicit problems or more precise information about current study conditions.
Information for prospective students
Valid for a study start from the winter semester 2024/25 (Examination Regulations, 2024)
- Module Group A (Basic module): 5 courses, 21 CP (2 courses from SOW-4000 (Perspectives), 2 courses from SOW-6200 (Methodology and Methods - Introduction and Overview), 1 course from SOW-6201 (Methods in Conflict Analysis - Electives). Recommendation: Semester 1.
- Module Group B and C (Thematic module): 5 courses (which means 5 modules), 45 CP, free elective and combinations possibilities from 13 modules (SOW-4200 to SOW-6308). Please note: Each module can only be taken once! Each thematic area has, however, the purpose of developing a profile of either the A or B variation. Recommendation: Try it out in the 1st semester, complete it in the 2nd semester.
- Module Group D (Practical Module): Internship (min. 8 weeks), 12 CP. The internship should be agreed to by the Internship Officer (Dr Jan Grasnick), a 5-to-7-page internship report must be completed (350 words per page to be sent to Jan Grasnick). Recommendation: Take it at the end of the lecture period in the 1st semester. Further information: Overview of the Practical Module .
- Module Group E (Research Module): Research Seminar, 12 CP. Recommendation: Take it from the 2nd semester orientated by the selection of courses on offer.
- Module Group F (Final Module): Master’s thesis (27 CP) and participation in the relevant exercises (3 CP). The exercises should be completed before or in parallel to the master’s thesis. Before registering for the master’s thesis, a minimum of 60 CP must be completed, including all of the basic module (module group A). Recommendation: Find a topic and establish contact with a supervisor in the 3rd semester.
Valid for a study start from the winter semester 2016/17 Examination (Regulations, 2016)
Degree Structure (Examination Regulations, 2016)
- Studies include courses to the extent of 120 credit points (CP), divided among the following modules:
- Module Group A: 5 courses, 21 CP, 2 courses from SOW-4000 (Perspectives), 2 courses from SOW-4001 (Methods), 1 course from SOW-4100 (Methods: Specialisation 1 – Elective possibilities from the courses on offer). Recommendation: 1st semester 1.
- Module Group B and C: 5 courses (this means 5 modules), 45 CP, free electives and combination possibilities from 11 modules (SOW-4101 to SOW-4601). Please note: Each module can only be taken once! Each thematic area has, however, the purpose of developing a profile of either the A or B variation. Recommendation: Try it out in the 1st semester, complete it in the 2nd semester.
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Module Group D: Internship (min. 8 weeks), 12 CP. The internship should be agreed to by the Internship Officer (Dr Jan Grasnick), a 5-to-7-page internship report must be completed (350 words per page to be sent to Jan Grasnick). Recommendation: Take it at the end of the lecture period in the 1st semester. Further information: Overview of the Internship Module.
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Module Group E: Research Seminar, 12 CP. Recommendation: Take it from the 2nd semester orientated by the selection of courses on offer.
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Module Group F: Master’s thesis (27 CP) and participation in the relevant exercises (3 CP). The exercises should be completed before or in parallel to the master’s thesis. Before registering for the master’s thesis, a minimum of 60 CP must be completed, including all of basic module (module group A). Recommendation: Find a topic and establish contact with a supervisor in the 3rd semester.
- Completion of courses for the current semester: Check the module catalogue to find out which courses you can complete each semester. The final version of the module catalogue is published one week before the start of the lecture period, preliminary versions are available 6 weeks beforehand. From this time, you can find and register for courses in Digicampus. Please take note of the various registration periods that are noted there; typically, you can also register after the start of the lecture period.
- Job offers
Further Information
You can find further information on the website of the Institute of Social Sciences at the University of Augsburg: