Course objectives:

Students become familiar with and discuss basic theories, concepts, methodologies and methods of sociology from a gender perspective. The aim is to impart and gain knowledge about the historical, social, cultural and political conditions under which gender orders and inequalities have emerged, what effects they have and how they are perpetuated. The gendering of society, of social spheres and areas such as work and everyday life, organisations and public spheres, but also of cognitive processes in science is made visible and subject to analysis. Overlappings with other dimensions of inequality, such as class and ethnicity, and possibilities for a change towards gender equality are also in the focus.

Graduates of sociological gender studies are enabled to

• apply theoretical and empirical knowledge about gender, gender relations and gender differences;
• recognise the importance of social change in gender relations in various social fields as well as with regard to national and international perspectives;
• use and reflect upon gender-related knowledge as instrumental, reflective and explanatory knowledge, taking the given contextual conditions into account;
• implement gender-related competences in various fields of work such as organisations, educational contexts, politics, administration, economy, health and sport, which require close cooperation between scientists and practitioners.

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Teaching content/subject-specific gender studies content:

In terms of content, sociological gender studies deal with the fact that the cultural, social and political dimensions of societies are permeated by (historically grown) gender orders. This opens the way to a comprehensive understanding of the structures of societies, of work and power relations, of practices of evaluation and exclusion and socialisational and media influences on social structures. Contents of the study courses are, in particular, the theoretical controversies of contemporary sociology and social analysis, analyses of social inequalities and their transformation as well as cultural and symbolic representations.

Students acquire skills for critical analysis of social processes, independent scientific work and scientific reflections from a gender perspective. They gain insights into the possibilities of shaping social forms of organisation and processes and acquire competences for the application of these possibilities in public contexts. Such knowledge about the category of gender and its effects is taught in modules that specifically deal with gender orders and relations in order to understand central lines of development, directions and stages of sociological women's, masculinity and gender studies and to shed light on different fields of research. At the same time, awareness of the structural category of gender and its effects should be an integral part of all sociology modules, even if at first glance they do not deal exclusively with gender-related issues.

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Integration of gender studies content into the curriculum:

Possible sociological gender studies modules are:

• Gender-based Social Analyses
• Constructions of Gender
• Methods and Methodologies of Gender Studies
• Work and Gender
• Gender-related Body Discourses and Practices

Graduates can work in a broad variety of fields (e.g. for companies, public organisations and administrations, in the media or publishing, for political parties, associations, trade unions, foundations or aid organisations). The major field of study and the thematic focus of internships as well as the Bachelor's or Master's thesis may influence the student’s choice for a future professional field of action to a great extent. Research work at universities and non-academic institutions (e.g. a doctoral study programme) are also possible.

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Degree Stage:

At Bachelor's level, basic concepts and theories, the history as well as methodology and methods of sociological gender studies are introduced. At the same time, it is pointed out how the acquired gender knowledge can be applied. Application-oriented gender knowledge enables students to actively shape social processes towards gender equality and opens up career prospects even if they do not want to continue with the Master's study degree course. At Master's level, gender theories and gender relations as well as cultural and symbolic representations are in the focus and will be further studied. By analysing specific fields of research such as socialisation and symbolic representation, division of labour and organisation, family or body practices, scientific and application-related competences are extended.

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