Content & Structure M.A. Economic Sociology

At a Glance

Standard period of study:

  

4 semesters (2 academic years)

Programme start:

 

Winter semester only

Admission restrictions:

 

Admission to the programme is restricted.

Scale:

 

120 credit points (CP)

Number of modules:

 

8 compulsory modules, 1 compulsory elective module

Module examination formats:

 

Term paper
Written test
Oral examination (only compulsory in Module 10)

Languages of instruction:

 

German, English

Programme Director


Professor Alexander Ebner

Video presentation on the organisation of the M.A. programme in Economic Sociology

Modules & Content Structure of the M.A. programme Economic Sociology

The MA Economic Sociology degree programme is modularised. It is divided into eight compulsory modules and one compulsory elective module.In detail, the MA Economic Sociology consists of the following modules:

Compulsory Modules

Content:

The module provides an overview of concepts of economic action and its social dimensions in the classics of economic sociology. The focus is on classical economic sociological contributions that deal with the embedding of economic action in institutional forms, social structures and cultural patterns of interpretation in modern capitalist market economies.


Final module examinations, coursework and proof of participation:

The course "Classics of Economic Sociological Theory" (3 CP) is compulsory and active participation in a seminar (3 CP) must also be demonstrated. The final module examination must take place in the course of the core curriculum "Classics of Economic Sociological Theory" (5 CP).

The module is completed with a total of 11 credit points.

Content:

This module focuses on teaching and acquiring empirical economic sociological research skills. Qualitative-interpretative and quantitative-statistical approaches are given equal consideration, with a particular emphasis on network research relevant to economic sociology. The module also offers method-critical content on the research logic of social research.

Final module examinations, coursework and proof of participation:

The module consists of two courses: a seminar (3 CP), which is part of the core curriculum and provides an overview of empirical methods and methodological controversies in economic sociology, and a further methods seminar (3 CP). The module concludes with a course-related written examination, oral examination or term paper (5 CP).

The module is completed with a total of 11 credit points.

Content

The module deals with the micro-level of sociological perspectives on economic actors and processes with regard to the subject areas of work, organisation and innovation. Thematic focuses are: social dimensions of work and labour relations; company, work organisation and personnel; conflict and cooperation in organisations; organisational change, entrepreneurship and technological innovation.

Final module examinations, coursework and proof of participation:

Students must provide evidence of active participation in two seminars (3 CP each). The module concludes with a written examination, oral examination or term paper (5 CP) following one of the seminars attended.

The module is completed with a total of 11 credit points.

Content:

The module deepens knowledge of current theoretical developments and discussions in economic sociology. Module 4 focuses on theoretical developments that deal with the action, institutional and cultural theoretical foundations of sociological analyses of the economy. This includes current discussions of sociological and organisational institutionalism as well as overlaps between economic sociology and sociology of knowledge. Interdisciplinary relationships with theoretical fields such as political economy and institutional economics are also covered.


Final module examinations, coursework and proof of participation:

The module consists of two courses: a seminar (3 CP), which is part of the core curriculum and provides an overview of current debates in economic sociology, and a further seminar on current economic sociological theory (3 CP).
The module concludes with a written examination, oral examination or term paper (5 CP) following one of the seminars attended.

The module is completed with a total of 11 credit points.

Content:

In this module, students' empirical research skills are to be deepened in their application and further opportunities for practical research specialisation are offered. Prior completion of Module 2 (Empiricism in Economic Sociology I: Research Methods) is recommended. The practical teaching of current methods of qualitative and quantitative
qualitative or quantitative empirical social research aims to apply acquired methodological skills to the analysis of specific issues in economic sociology. To this end, students attend a research internship in which they deal with practical research problems and solutions when implementing an empirical research design.


Final module examinations, academic achievements and proof of participation:

The research internship can be attended as a one-semester seminar with 4 SWS or as a two-semester seminar with 2 SWS each (6 CP).
The module concludes with a term paper (8 CP).

The module is completed with a total of 14 credit points.

Content:

This module focuses on markets as central institutions of modern capitalist economies. The module combines sociological micro and macro perspectives. The embedding of markets in social relations, institutional forms of order and cultural practices will be dealt with as well as the expansion of market logics in processes of economisation. Within this framework, variations of capitalist market economies in the context of international economic development will also be analysed.


Final module examinations, coursework and proof of participation:

The module comprises two courses. One seminar (3 CP), which is part of the core curriculum, deals with theoretical approaches and empirical findings on the economic-sociological view of markets, cultures and economic systems. In addition, there is a further seminar with corresponding content (3 CP).

The module concludes with a written examination, oral examination or term paper (5 CP) following one of the seminars attended.

The module is completed with a total of 11 credit points.

Content:

This module addresses the possibilities and limits of the political shaping of economic processes. In addition to the systematic interactions between economics and politics, it deals in particular with the state penetration of markets, also in the context of international economic development and globalisation. This subject area also includes the political and economic aspects of the welfare state from a historical and international comparative perspective. There is an interface here with the sub-disciplines of political sociology and international and comparative political economy.


Final module examinations, coursework and proof of participation:

Students must provide evidence of active participation in two seminars (3 CP each). The module concludes with a written examination or term paper (5 CP) following one of the seminars attended.


The module is completed with a total of 11 credit points.

Compulsory elective area: Students complete either Module 8 at Faculty 03 or Module 9 at Faculty 02 

Content:

In this module, students have the opportunity to deepen their theoretical and methodological skills in one of the content areas in modules 1-4, 6 and 7. Multiple crediting of courses is not possible.

Final module examinations, coursework and proof of participation:

Students must provide evidence of active participation in two seminars (3 CP each). The module concludes with a written examination or term paper (5 CP) following one of the seminars attended.

The module is completed with a total of 11 credit points.

In this module, instead of courses from the Department of Social Sciences, students can choose two options from the courses offered by the Department of Economics, in which they acquire basic economic knowledge in three areas.

Economics-Microeconomics I (Module BMIK of the Department of Economics

Content: Module BMIK (Microeconomics I): 

Three subject areas are addressed: 

In the first topic area, the basic model of perfect competition (including household theory, firm theory, market equilibrium) is considered. 

In the second topic area, monopoly markets and asymmetric information are analysed in particular. 

Finally, general equilibrium theory is part of the third topic area. 

Economics-Macroeconomics I (Module BMAK of the Department of Economics)

ContentModule BMAK (Macroeconomics I): 

The object of study of macroeconomics is the consideration of the economy as a whole, e.g. aggregated variables such as total income, the level of employment, the inflation rate or economic indices. On the one hand, students should learn about the relationships and laws that exist between macroeconomic variables, and on the other, the role of the state is analysed. The course content includes: Concepts of macroeconomics, circular flow theory, static and dynamic analysis, crises, economic policy

Economics-Microeconomics I (Module BMIK of the Department of Economics

Content: Module BMIK (Microeconomics I): 

Three subject areas are addressed: 

In the first topic area, the basic model of perfect competition (including household theory, firm theory, market equilibrium) is considered. 

In the second topic area, monopoly markets and asymmetric information are analysed in particular. 

Finally, general equilibrium theory is part of the third topic area. 

Economics-Macroeconomics I (Module BMAK of the Department of Economics)

ContentModule BMAK (Macroeconomics I): 

The object of study of macroeconomics is the consideration of the economy as a whole, e.g. aggregated variables such as total income, the level of employment, the inflation rate or economic indices. On the one hand, students should learn about the relationships and laws that exist between macroeconomic variables, and on the other, the role of the state is analysed. The course content includes: Concepts of macroeconomics, circular flow theory, static and dynamic analysis, crises, economic policy

Final module examinations, coursework and certificates of attendance:

If one of these options is chosen, the rules (registration, withdrawal, organisation, form of examination, etc.) of the current version of the regulations of the Department of Economics at Johann Wolfgang Goethe University for the minor subject of Economics apply to the acquisition of CP for the above-mentioned modules.

The modules consist of a lecture (4 CP), an exercise (2 CP) and a mentorium (1 CP) and conclude with a written examination (5 CP).

The module corresponds to a workload of 12 CP, but is credited with 11 CP in the MA in Economic Sociology.

Compulsory Module

Content:

Preparation of an MA thesis on a topic of your choiceDiscussion and reflection on their own research projectThe students should demonstrate their ability to develop, appropriately present and argumentatively answer a comprehensive scientific question in the form of a Master's thesis. They attend an accompanying colloquium, present and reflect on their research work and put it up for discussion.


Final thesis and proof of participation:

In the colloquium, students provide proof of participation and receive 3 CP for this. If possible, we recommend taking the colloquium in the semester before writing the final thesis or alongside it. If possible, students should attend the colloquium with the person who is also supervising their final thesis.

Students receive 21 credit points for the final thesis. The thesis is not registered via the electronic examination registration. Students use the form to register for the Master's thesis. Students must find their own supervisor at least one semester in advance. T

he second supervisor can also be assigned by the Examination Office on request.

Students have 16 weeks from the time of registration to complete their thesis. Admission to the Master's thesis requires proof of completion of five modules from the Master's degree programme in Economic Sociology.

Students take the oral examination (defence of the Master's thesis) after the thesis has been corrected. Students agree the date with their supervisor. Students receive 3 credit points for the oral examination.

The entire module is completed with 29 credit points.

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Contact

Dipl.-Soz. Alexander Simon

Student counselling for B.A. programs in Political Science and Sociology / Student counselling for M.A. programs / M.A. admission / B.A./M.A. internship counselling 

Telephone: +49 069/798-36596

E-Mail:
studienfachberatung.fb03@soz.uni-frankfurt.de

PEG Room 2.G 133

Open consultation hours:

Tuesday 11a.m - 1p.m.

Thursday 11a.m. - 1 p.m.

In lecture free time only on Tuesdays

Open telephone consultation hours:

Wednesday 11a.m - 1p.m.

or by individual arrangement

Goethe-University
Department 03
PEG-Building
Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 6
60323 Frankfurt am Main