Politikwissenschaft

Tracks and specialisations

• Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · 120 ECTS

Semester plan

1. Semester 120 ECTS required depending on trackTechniques of Scientific Working · Political Systems · Introduction to Political Science

   Depending on track: Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach

   • Techniques of Scientific WorkingSummary by OWWZ: Practises literature searches, referencing and academic writing, developing skills for presentations, examination preparation and independent written work.Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · winter semester onlyExam (in German): Kurzhausarbeit, 6 Seiten (unbenotet)5 ECTS
   • Political SystemsSummary by OWWZ: Examines the German political system in European comparison, connecting institutions, political actors, decision-making and policy fields with concepts explaining political change.Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · winter semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur (40 %) und Seminarleistung mit schriftlicher Arbeit und Begleitleistungen (60 %)10 ECTS
   • Introduction to Political ScienceSummary by OWWZ: Introduces the concepts, theories and history of political science, surveying its subfields through their research questions and methods.Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · winter semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur (100 %)5 ECTS
2. Semester 218 ECTS required depending on trackPolitical Theory and the History of Political Thought · Quantitative and qualitative Methods of Empirical Social Research

   Depending on track: Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach

   • Political Theory and the History of Political ThoughtSummary by OWWZ: Political thought and modern theory introduce central political concepts. Classical texts and systematic questions develop interpretation, argumentation and political judgement.Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur (50 %) und Seminarleistung aus Referat und Hausarbeit (50 %)10 ECTS
   • Quantitative and qualitative Methods of Empirical Social ResearchSummary by OWWZ: Quantitative research combines statistics, research design and computer-based data analysis. Qualitative approaches cover interviews, textual analysis, case studies and the design and analysis of independent research.Semesters 2–3 · Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach15 ECTS
3. Semester 318 ECTS required depending on trackComparative GovernmentContinues: Quantitative and qualitative Methods of Empirical Social Research

   Depending on track: Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach

   • Comparative GovernmentSummary by OWWZ: Compares political system types, democracies, party systems and decision structures. Seminars apply comparative methods to specific political systems, linking institutional analysis with empirical research.Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · winter semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur (50 %) und Seminarleistung aus Referat und Hausarbeit (50 %)10 ECTS
4. Semester 410 ECTS required depending on track · 1 elective catalogueInternational Relations · Required elective from Europäische Studien und Internationale Organisationen

   Depending on track: Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach

   • International RelationsSummary by OWWZ: Situates central international relations theories historically and methodologically. Seminars apply these approaches to changing topics and cases and practise critical comparison.Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · summer semester only10 ECTS

   Required elective from Europäische Studien und Internationale Organisationen4 modules · choose 15 ECTS

   Depending on track: Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach

   • European StudiesSummary by OWWZ: Explains European integration, EU institutions and policymaking. A compulsory tutorial practises supranational decision-making through an EU simulation.Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur (100 %) und unbenoteter Leistungsnachweis in einer Simulation10 ECTSRequired elective
   • International OrganisationsSummary by OWWZ: Examines theories and policy areas of international organisations. Multilateral negotiation exercises and a UN simulation connect theoretical foundations with political practice.Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur (100 %) und unbenoteter Leistungsnachweis in einer Simulation10 ECTSRequired elective
   • European StudiesSummary by OWWZ: Explains European integration, EU institutions and policymaking in selected areas, connecting theories with the practice of European cooperation.Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur (100 %)5 ECTSRequired elective
   • International OrganisationsSummary by OWWZ: Introduces the development, institutional structures and activities of international organisations, connecting theory and practice through examples such as the UN and WTO.Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur (100 %)5 ECTSRequired elective
5. Semester 510 ECTS required depending on track · 1 elective catalogueInternship · Required elective from Zwei Vertiefungsmodule

   Depending on track: Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach

   • InternshipSummary by OWWZ: An internship in a politics-related field applies academic knowledge in professional contexts. A report reflects on experience, career requirements and personal professional orientation.Politikwissenschaft als KernfachExam (in German): Praktikumsbericht (unbenotet)10 ECTS

   Required elective from Zwei Vertiefungsmodule10 modules · choose 20 ECTS

   Depending on track: Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach

   • Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany ISummary by OWWZ: Explores institutions, political participation and public policy in a European context. Political sociology and comparative empirical research connect theoretical concepts with independent analysis.Semesters 5–6 · Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany IISummary by OWWZ: Further topics in political systems and sociology deepen analysis of institutions, representation and policy. Comparative research examines elections, parties, elites and political culture in Europe.Semesters 5–6 · Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Political Theory ISummary by OWWZ: Selected problems in political theory and intellectual history are studied using advanced methods. Textual work and discussion deepen theoretical analysis, reasoned judgement and academic argument.Semesters 5–6 · Politikwissenschaft als KernfachExam (in German): Klausur oder mündliche Prüfung (40 %) und Seminarleistung aus Referat und Hausarbeit (60 %)10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Political Theory IISummary by OWWZ: Selected problems in political theory and intellectual history are studied using advanced methods. Textual work and discussion deepen theoretical analysis, reasoned judgement and academic argument.Semesters 5–6 · Politikwissenschaft als KernfachExam (in German): Klausur oder mündliche Prüfung (40 %) und Seminarleistung aus Referat und Hausarbeit (60 %)10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Comparative Government ISummary by OWWZ: Exemplary comparisons of political systems deepen theoretical and methodological knowledge. Literature studies and empirical investigations connect systematic analysis with concrete research problems.Semesters 5–6 · Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur (40 %) und Seminarleistung aus Referat und Hausarbeit (60 %)10 ECTSRequired elective
   • Comparative Government IISummary by OWWZ: Exemplary comparisons of political systems deepen theoretical and methodological knowledge. Literature studies and empirical investigations connect systematic analysis with concrete research problems.Semesters 5–6 · Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · summer semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur (40 %) und Seminarleistung aus Referat und Hausarbeit (60 %)10 ECTSRequired elective
   • International Relations ISummary by OWWZ: Explores peace and conflict research, foreign policy analysis and international organisations across changing policy fields. Case studies, primary texts and optional simulations connect theory with political practice.Semesters 5–6 · Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach10 ECTSRequired elective
   • International Relations (II)Summary by OWWZ: Explores peace and conflict research, foreign policy analysis and international organisations across changing policy fields. Case studies, primary texts and optional simulations connect theory with political practice.Semesters 5–6 · Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach10 ECTSRequired elective
   • European Studies ISummary by OWWZ: Explores European integration through democracy, constitutional questions, policymaking and the EU’s international role. Comparative analysis develops theoretical understanding, presentation and argumentation.Semesters 5–6 · Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · winter semester onlyExam (in German): Seminarleistung aus Referat und Hausarbeit (70 %) und Klausur (30 %)10 ECTSRequired elective
   • European Studies IISummary by OWWZ: Explores European integration through democracy, constitutional questions, policymaking and the EU’s international role. Comparative analysis develops theoretical understanding, presentation and argumentation.Semesters 5–6 · Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach · winter semester onlyExam (in German): Seminarleistung aus Referat und Hausarbeit (70 %) und Klausur (30 %)10 ECTSRequired elective
6. Semester 65 ECTS required depending on trackBachelor thesis

   Depending on track: Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach

   • Bachelor thesisSummary by OWWZ: An advanced seminar supports planning an independent political science thesis. Students present and discuss the topic, research question, methods and data before completing the bachelor’s thesis.Thesis · Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach10 ECTS
7. Semester 75 ECTS required depending on trackContinues: Bachelor thesis

Topic profile · Track Politikwissenschaft als Kernfach

ECTS by topic from the curriculum’s modules; together at most the programme’s ECTS.RequiredElective

• Political science41 ECTS: 30 required, 11 elective41 ECTS
• International relations and Europe29 ECTS: 10 required, 19 elective29 ECTS
• Empirical social research12 ECTS: 8 required, 4 elective12 ECTS
• Statistics8 ECTS: 8 required8 ECTS
• Philosophy7 ECTS: 5 required, 2 elective7 ECTS

Curriculum sources

• Modulkatalog zum Studiengang – PolitikwissenschaftModule handbook · Version PO-Version 2015; Stand (Druck) 07.09.2023 · checked 15 October 2026
• Musterstudienplan – PolitikwissenschaftStudy plan · checked 15 October 2026
• Studienordnung der Fakultät für Sozial- und Verhaltenswissenschaften für das Fach Politikwissenschaft als Kern- und Ergänzungsfach in Studiengängen mit dem Abschluss Bachelor of ArtsStudy regulations · Version Lesefassung Stand 26. Juni 2019; sechste Änderung vom 9. Februar 2017 · checked 17 October 2026