Sociology

The Department of Sociology offers a three-year post-graduate programme in Sociology with the theme "Comparative Sociology". Courses are held in German and English.

The overall aim of the departmental training programme is to train young postgraduate scholars in social issues and the state-of-the-art research methods and techniques to the highest international standards. The course offers basic training in social research, which includes advanced qualitative as well as quantitative methods along with evaluation research. In addition, more specialised seminars in aspects of contemporary society (including science and technology, social practices, innovation, knowledge and learning and the changing world of work) are offered by the Department staff. To enhance the programme and provide an international perspective, a range of prestigious guest professors from institutes and universities throughout the world are invited on a regular basis to give seminars and lectures. Scholars have an opportunity to work with these guest professors on a one-to-one basis. An important part of the study programme is the work that scholars undertake on their own projects under the supervision of departmental staff.

For each three-year programme, a maximum of eight students can be accepted, thus offering a very intensive and personalised study atmosphere. The Department invites graduates of Higher Education in all subjects to apply for a three-year programme of intensive training in social sciences leading to a diploma. For students accepted, there is a scholarship. Students can simultaneously register for a doctorate at the University of Vienna or other universities. The course for 2006-2009 follows the general theme of "Comparative Sociology" but allows for individual specialisation according to interests.

The course provides a general training in sociology at post-graduate level including theory, methods and contemporary research problems. At the end of the two-year period, participants are expected to be able to present an advanced research project at a level equivalent to a doctoral dissertation. The career prospects of graduates of the programme are generally better than those graduating from the University alone. Over the last ten years roughly one half of the IHS students go into the University system, one quarter into public administration and one quarter into the private sector.

The postgraduate programme at the IHS offers the following advantages:

• Excellent research facilities, including library, computing and academic support
• Professional contact with universities, public bodies and international organisations
• Access to a wide range of data bases and surveys
• The opportunity to participation in existing and future research projects carried out by the Department at either national or international level
• International scientific contact with visiting professors
• Opportunities to participate in a range of workshops and conferences organised by the Department
• Inter-disciplinary research through participating in lectures and workshops with other departments and through collaborative research projects.

Seminars and lectures

Guest professors

The basic programme of post graduate training is supported by a range of outstanding visiting guest professors. In the last few years these included:

Arlie Hochschild (University of Berkeley), Liz Spencer (University of Essex), Jo Reichertz (University of Essen/Duisburg), Maarten Hajer (University of Amsterdam), Martin Baethge (Universität Göttingen), Wim. J. Nijhof (University of Twente), Werner Schneider (Universität München), Neil Smelser (University of Berkeley), R.W. Connell (University of Sydney), Thomas Malsch (Technical University of Hamburg), Ayse Caglar (Central European University Budapest), Reinhard Bachmann (University of London), Thomas Cook (Northwestern University), Gabriella Christmann (Universität Dresden), Udo Kelle (Philipps-Universität Marburg).

Departmental teaching programme

The staff of the department offers a series of seminars on the topic of comparative sociology which include new approaches to employment and work, education, training and the knowledge society, gender issues, science and technology and the relationship between nature and society.

Individual research project

Scholars at the Sociology Department are expected to carry out individual research resulting in an interim report at the first and the second year and a final report at the end of the third year. These reports are at a doctoral level. Along with individual supervision by the faculty, there is the opportunity to join small "work groups" on different themes where project outlines and findings can be discussed on an on-going basis along with methodological and practical problems arising from the research. Timely delivery of the interim research reports after the first resp. for the second year are conditional for admission to the second resp. third. Completion of the final report in due time as well as a satisfactory record of course work is the precondition for earning an IHS diploma in Sociology.

Basic and advanced training in social research

At the beginning of the three year programme, the Sociology Department offers a series of seminars in research methods which cover the basic issues and techniques in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. This is taught partly by departmental staff and partly by invited external professors. Additional methodological seminars are offered as required later on as well.


Curriculum outline for Sociology 2006-2009

First Year

• Techniques and research design
• Theories and approaches to comparative sociological research
• Research seminar where students and staff present their work
• Optional courses and activities
• Individual project supervision and working groups of students to define the preferred topic, methods and working plan (1. semester), finalising literature review (2. semester)
• Guest professors

Second Year

• Continuing training in quantitative and qualitative methods
• Theories and approaches to comparative sociological research
• Training in soft skills and working methods
• Research seminars where students and staff present their work
• Optional courses and activities
• Guest professors

Third Year
 

• Research seminars where students and staff present their work
• Optional courses and activities
• Individual project supervision and working groups of students to carry out field work and complete literature review (5. semester), finalising individual research project and final report (6. semester)
• Guest professors