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The Department
Research at the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy covers a broad range of cultural and social science areas. The department's institutes and centers share a social science-based orientation and a reflective, problem-oriented and responsible understanding of science. Furthermore, it is part of the departments tradition – in the sense of Enlightenment – to contribute with its research results to the cultural and socio-political debate and policy advice. Research foci include, inter alia, critical security studies, politics and gender, Transitional Justice, processes of socio-cultural transformation and religious dynamics, Europeanization and ethnicization, conflict and development as well as the philosophy of Enlightenment. All our academics maintain close cooperation with national and international scientific institutions.
The department consists of five different institutes:
- Institute for Social Anthropology and the Study of Religions
- Institute of European Ethnology and Cultural Studies
- Institute of Philosophy
- Institute of Political Science
- Institute of Sociology
In addition, there are four independent centers that cooperate in teaching and research with the department:
- Center for Conflict Studies
- Center for Gender Studies and Feminist Research
- Center for Interdisciplinary Study of Religions
- Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (CNMS)
Our regional focuses in research and teaching ensure that our courses offer an international perspective. Instructors and students equally cultivate a distinctive debating culture. Become a part of our Faculty and join the discussion!
To help you get started with your degree program, we have developed a number of Helpful Hints (“Handreichungen”). You will find tips, for example, on giving a presentation, by yourself or as a group, and what our examiners expect to see in written examination achievements. The Helpful Hints are available under Downloads. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!