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Sociology and Technology Studies, B.A.

Program overview

According to Max Weber, sociology is "a science which attempts the interpretive understanding of social action in order thereby to arrive at a causal explanation of its course and effects". The Sociology and Technology Studies bachelor’s program offers both a broad overview as well as a deeper look into the complex relationships and interactions defining modern societies. The technization of work, everyday life, and communication is changing not only organizations and markets but also identities and lifestyles, resulting in a growing need for expert critical analysis of technology and its current and future impact on society. Combining material from social and technical sciences, the Sociology and Technology Studies program is unique in Germany. Students’ sociological examination of social processes is supplemented by a technical subject, in which they learn to consider and understand technical problems from a natural or planning science perspective.

DegreeBachelor of Arts
Standard period of study 6 semesters
Credit points180
Program start Winter semester
Admission Restricted admission
Language of instruction German

Admission requirements

As for every other bachelor’s degree program at TU Berlin, applicants must possess a university entrance qualification certificate to apply to the Sociology and Technology Studies program. Generally, the Abitur serves as the university entrance qualification certificate. If you do not have a formal university entrance qualification, you may still be able to study at TU Berlin if you can provide proof of certain professional qualifications.

The Sociology and Technology Studies bachelor’s program is taught in German. If you are applying with a foreign school-leaving certificate, you must provide proof of German skills at a specific level. This is a prerequisite for admission.

Program structure

In addition to introductory lectures, you will be working in seminars right from the first semester of this bachelor’s program. These seminars are closely interlinked and - depending on the topic - have a focus on either discussion or project-oriented learning. This way you will learn to argue and defend your own point of view - an important skill beyond your studies. The curriculum also includes an internship to provide you with insights into potential career fields. 

In the first half of the program you will mainly take basic modules, familiarize yourself with the methods of empirical social research and get an overview of the thematic focus of the program. The second half of the program offers you the opportunity to specialize by choosing from a range of elective and compulsory elective subjects as well as taking a technical minor subject. 

You are required to earn a total of 104 credit points (CP) in compulsory modules. This also includes the internship and the bachelor’s thesis. The compulsory elective component amounts to 58 CP and is divided into the areas sociological compulsory elective 1, sociological compulsory elective 2, and the technical minor subject. The elective component totals 18 CP. 

The objectives and structure of the program as well as the examination requirements and details on how the examinations are conducted are set down in the study and examination regulations.  

There is a proposed course schedule for the degree program, providing students with a possible option for how to complete the degree program within the standard period of study of four semesters. You can find this as an annex to the study and examination regulations. The most current version of the regulations applies to applicants. Further exemplary course schedules are available on the program website.

Content and modules

The bachelor’s program “Sociology and Technology Studies” offers a classical sociological education that includes basic theories and methods of empirical social research. A wide range of elective subjects offers opportunities for in-depth study and specialization. You can choose from current and changing courses in the fields of general sociology and theories of modern societies, digitization of the working world, methods of empirical social research, organizational sociology, planning and architectural sociology, sociology of politics, spatial sociology, as well as technical and innovation sociology. 

A specialty of the program is its dedicated focus on technical science. Technical and innovation sociology play a central role in the sociology curriculum and are thus at the heart of this program. You will also take a technical minor subject from TU Berlin’s technical science spectrum, which means that you will be working together with students from the natural sciences, engineering and planning sciences from the very beginning. 

The bachelor’s degree program is modular in design. A module combines curriculum content relating to a certain topic and offers various study and teaching formats such as lectures, practical tutorials, seminars, and practical projects. Seminars focusing on discussion are the most common teaching format. 

Students are required to earn a specific number of credit points and complete certain coursework and assessments in each module. These assessments most frequently take the form of portfolio assessments, a combination of oral examinations and written assignments. 

A current overview of all modules is available in TU Berlin’s module transfer system (MTS). The MTS also provides an overview of which modules are mandatory for your degree program and which are elective. Detailed module descriptions provide information about the contents of modules, learning objectives, participation requirements, workload, types of assessment, etc. The module catalog is based on the study and examination regulations. The most current version of the regulations applies to applicants.

To module database

Internships

As part of your studies, you will be required to complete a mandatory internship of 120 hours to provide you with insights into potential future career fields. 5 credit points are awarded for this. Students are recommended to complete the internship during the lecture-free period.

Further information is available in the program’s internship regulations.

Stays abroad

You can generally complete parts of the program abroad, either in the form of study abroad or internships. General information concerning stays abroad is available from the TU Berlin International Office (study abroad) or the Career Service (internships abroad).

Acquired skills

With a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Technology Studies, you will not only be familiar with various approaches to sociology, you will also be able to combine your knowledge with selected competences of the natural, engineering or planning sciences. As a graduate, you will be able to analyze and discuss events, activities, developments and correlations in various areas of society and fields of activity from the perspective of relevant sociological categories. In addition, you will have a basic understanding of empirical social research, knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methods as well as fundamental academic reading and writing skills. In all modules of the sociology program you will also learn to identify, analyze, classify, and evaluate various aspects and dimensions of social inequality, particularly with respect to ethnicity, generation, gender, social stratification, and cultural milieu. You will be able to work in interdisciplinary teams and have gained insights into sociological career fields both within and outside academia.

After your studies

This bachelor’s degree provides the foundation for an academic career such as a master’s in sociology and technology, while broad and extensive training in theory and methodology also qualify you for careers outside of academia, including in politics, business, the natural sciences, and social affairs. The compulsory internship and examination of issues in technical sociology provide you with an opportunity for career orientation.

Further information & downloads

Website of the Degree Program

Questions about the degree program: Course Guidance and Student Infotalk (in German)

Recognition of previously acquired credits: Examination Board

Subject-specific Counseling and Services

Office of Academic and Student Affairs of the Faculty

 

General guidance and choosing the right degree program: Academic Advising Service

Application and enrollment: Office of Student Affairs