Political Science Minor
Europeanisation and globalisation are creating a new framework for political structures and processes, the way in which politics operates and the impact it has. The minor gives you an overview of the discipline of political science.
Studying Political Science minor
The minor introduces you to fundamental questions and approaches in the field of political science. It also provides a more in-depth exploration of theory and methodology in traditional political science fields. These include government, comparative politics, political theory and the history of ideas, international relations and policy analysis.
The curriculum also links your studies to related social sciences and humanities subjects and to political practice.
Course content
The course starts with a general overview of key issues and fundamental concepts in political science, and the main theoretical and methodological approaches.
You will also explore the structures and functions of the political system in the Federal Republic of Germany and its development over the course of European integration. You will examine tensions between the German Basic Law and European Community law, and look at the Europeanisation of national institutions and decision-making processes. The central question here is how the German Bundestag, the German federal government and federal states, parties and associations approach the challenge of Europe.
This then forms the basis for a systematic investigation of the political systems of other countries and other eras, and an exploration of different theoretical and methodological approaches. Classes cover traditional questions of political philosophy and the history of ideas and the most important concepts of modern political theory – including their basis in social theory.
In policy analysis, you will explore how societal problems in modern democracies are discussed and addressed using political programmes and measures. You will also gain an overview of theories and perspectives for the analysis of international political relations.
Course Structure
The Political Science minor is embedded in the interdisciplinary College study model with Leuphana Semester, Major and Complementary Studies. You start your Bachelor studies with the Leuphana semester. The first semester at Leuphana College gives you the opportunity to deal fundamentally with science. The Minor deepens or supplements your Major with another subject area. In Complementary Studies you have the freedom to pursue your thirst for knowledge individually by immersing yourself in a different field of knowledge each semester.
Compulsory modules
Leuphana Semester
- Responsibility and Sustainability
- Humanities
- Methods I
- Methods II: Disciplinary Methods
- Introduction to the discipline
Second semester
- Introduction to Political Science
- 4 major modules
- 1 Complementary Studies modules
Third semester
- The German Political System in the European Context
- 1 Complementary Studies modules
Forth semester
- Political Theory and History of Ideas
- Comparative Politics
- 3 major modules
- 1 Complementary Studies module
Fifth semester
- International Relations
- Public Policy Analysis
- 3 major modules
- 1 Complementary Studies module
Sixth semester
- Bachelor dissertation
- 1 major module
- 2 Complementary Studies modules
Please note
Political Science is a German-language minor (subsidiary subject). You can study the Political Science minor entirely in English.
Study regulations / Subject-Specific Schedule
- You will find detailed information on the study contents of the minor modules in the Subject-Specific Schedule to Political Science minor.
Possible combinations of majors (main subjects)
The Political Science minor can be studied in combination with one of the following Major:
- Cultural Studies (GER)
- Digital Media (ENG)
- Economics (GER)
- Environmental Sciences (GER)
- Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENG)
- International Business Administration and Entrepreneurship (ENG)
- Law (Corporate and Business Law) (GER)
- Studium Individuale (ENG)
Language of instruction
ENG English-language major: no German required
GER German-language major: German required
Study objective
Students on the Political Science minor learn theoretical and empirical skills (subject-specific hard skills) and how systematically and critically to reflect on political processes, institutions and players from a theoretical and empirical perspective (methodological skills).
The minor therefore helps to develop your ability to argue on a sound scientific basis (social skills) and to place your standpoint in a global context (intercultural skills). The course thus forms the basis for developing independence, motivation and social responsibility (personal skills).
At a galnce
- final degree: Political Science minor can only be studied in combination with a major
- standard course length: 4 semesters (2 years)
- admission restrictions: yes
- deadline for applications: 15 July of each year
- beginning of the course: April of each year (summer semester)
- number of student places: 47
- teaching and examination language: German / English*
*German-language minor can also be taken in English.
Flyer
- Political Science minor [PDF, 819455]