This course will explore sociological concepts and issues within contemporary family sociology. The intersections between the family and other social institutions will be one component of this course. The development of family forms and diversity of families will be another central topic. We will consider marriage and partner selection in historical context by exploring changes in peoples’ intentions to marry and form families. We will explore the development and the functions of couple relationships as well as the relationships between family members, and examine the meaning of couple and family relationships for broader societal developments and social inequalities. Further, we will acquire an overview of empirical research on families and discuss the role of family policies in contemporary societies.
Language of instruction is English, discussions and written contributions can be in English or German.

Suggested readings:
Huinink, Johannes & Dirk Konietzka. 2007. Familiensoziologie. Ein Lehrbuch. Frankfurt/M.: Campus
Oppenheimer, Valerie Kincade. 1988. A Theory of Marriage Timing. American Journal of Sociology, 94, 3: 563-591

The seminar provides an overview of studies on family dynamics in the context of migration from the perspective of sociology and social psychology. It focuses on effects of migration processes on family relations and arrangements, values and attitudes and brings together cross-sectoral contributions from research in the areas of migration and family from different countries.
Migration can mean different things, it can describe internal or international movements, can involve only one or several members of the family, can be voluntary or involuntary, can refer to permanent or temporary settlement. What is of interest for this seminar are the consequences of such movements for individuals, families and – to some extent – society in general. Residential mobility changes various aspects of family dynamics like partner choices, living arrangements, fertility decisions and intergenerational relations. It affects attitudes towards these aspects as well as actual behavior.
The course wants to introduce students to these topics and enable them to get a deeper understanding of the consequences of migration for families.

In contemporary societies, family does not only belong to the private realm anymore. Modern states actively interfere in the matters of family, such as childcare and long-term care. There exist various policies to unburden individual’s family responsibilities: leave policies, public childcare, family allowance, and public long-term care. However, states implement different sets of policies with different levels of benefit, depending on socio-economic factors, cultural attitudes toward the role of family and gender roles, the influence of international organizations, and existing constellations of welfare policies. This seminar will provide a comparison of family policies across the world from a macro-perspective, and explore the determinants of the different constellations of family policies.
This seminar is a part of the module Spezielle Soziologien Soz-SP (Sociology of the Family, 08-29-4-SP7). Students in BA-Sociology are required to complete the lecture course and one seminar offered in the module to fulfill the requirements for Spezielle Soziologie. The seminar, however, can also be taken separately as a General Studies course.

The seminar provides an overview of studies on family dynamics in the context of migration from the perspective of sociology and social psychology. It focuses on effects of migration processes on family relations and arrangements, values and attitudes and brings together cross-sectoral contributions from research in the areas of migration and family from different countries.
Migration can mean different things, it can describe internal or international movements, can involve only one or several members of the family, can be voluntary or involuntary, can refer to permanent or temporary settlement. What is of interest for this seminar are the consequences of such movements for individuals, families and – to some extent – society in general. Residential mobility changes various aspects of family dynamics like partner choices, living arrangements, fertility decisions and intergenerational relations. It affects attitudes towards these aspects as well as actual behavior.
The course wants to introduce students to these topics and enable them to get a deeper understanding of the consequences of migration for families.

In contemporary societies, family does not only belong to the private realm anymore. Modern states actively interfere in the matters of family, such as childcare and long-term care. There exist various policies to unburden individual’s family responsibilities: leave policies, public childcare, family allowance, and public long-term care. However, states implement different sets of policies with different levels of benefit, depending on socio-economic factors, cultural attitudes toward the role of family and gender roles, the influence of international organizations, and existing constellations of welfare policies. This seminar will provide a comparison of family policies across the world from a macro-perspective, and explore the determinants of the different constellations of family policies.
This seminar is a part of the module Spezielle Soziologien Soz-SP (Sociology of the Family, 08-29-4-SP7). Students in BA-Sociology are required to complete the lecture course and one seminar offered in the module to fulfill the requirements for Spezielle Soziologie. The seminar, however, can also be taken separately as a General Studies course.

How does the family of origin impact individuals’ life chances, in particular in the early life course? This course aims to deepen students’ familiarity with dynamics of the reproduction of social structure by focusing on the intergenerational transmission of advantages. We will read
and critically discuss classic and new literature in this field. Question we will cover are how the family of origin affects children’s cognitive, non-cognitive skills, educational transitions and attainment. Moreover, we will discuss to what extent family influences vary by the socio-economic position. In addition, we will critically discuss the question what (who) the family of origin actually is and how recent advances in behavioral genetics/ sociogenomics can enrich sociological research in this field.

The key competency gained in this course is to connect theoretical concepts and empirical applications. Moreover, by highlighting differences between classic approaches and more recent development students will be able to trace how research fields develop.
Students can use these tools in a variety of ways, such as placing single research question in a broader field and to apply theoretical approaches in other contexts. These competencies are useful for developing research questions for term papers or (BA or MA) theses.

Obligatory requirements: course readings, participating in discussions in class.

3CP: Input presentation (oral presentation, 10 minutes) and theses paper (2-3 pages) or protocol of the session (2-3 pages)
6CP: Input presentation (oral presentation, 10 minutes), term paper 8 pages.
The course language is English; final projects may be written up in German.

Objectives: Multivariate Research Methods course provides an introduction to the logic of statistical control and multivariate statistical models, as they are commonly applied in the social science disciplines. The course emphasizes the understanding of statistical concepts and usage of statistics rather than mathematical formulas. The goals are: to enhance the students’ awareness of various methods in design and analysis of various social science problems; to introduce students to different methods and techniques for analyzing quantitative data; to develop the skills necessary to critically evaluate published work in social sciences; to develop students’ skills in modelling and carrying out their own research; to learn how to interpret results of statistical analyses; to guide and prepare students for more advanced courses in statistical methods.

Participants: This course is designed for advanced BA-students who have command of the basic social science methodology and statistics, such as descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as an introductory methods course at the Masters' level. Interested participants from various social science programs and disciplines are welcome.

Language of instruction is English. Assignments and exam: English or German.

Grading: Students are expected to attend and actively participate in the class. There are several grading schemes and options:
General Studies 3 CP (pass/fail) or 6 CP (graded or pass/fail).

Suggested readings: Agresti, Alan and Barbara Finley (various editions): „Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences,” Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Additional readings will be provided in class.

Research on sustainability issues aims on the macro- meso- or micro level. While political sciences and sociology research on the micro- and meso-level, this General Studies on social sustainably (inter)action focuses on the bridge between sociology and psychology: micro practices in organisations, interaction between people, their needs and ways of coping.
In winter terms (parts 1, 3, 5), students explore in part 1 postmodern issues in organisations (e.g. work addiction, burnout, mobbing), in part 3 approaches for solutions (e.g. participation, acknowledgement, conflict management), and in part 5 sustainable leadership (e.g. micro politic, team cooperation, leadership ethic). In summer terms (parts 2, 4, 6), selected in-depth subjects are targeted: part 2 deals with psychological particulars (e.g. identity and work, institutional defence and adaptation, sense-making and work), in part 4 intercultural communication and cooperation is explored, and in part 6 selected approaches of counselling (e.g. systemic counselling, coaching, supervision) are focussed. In summer, field explorations enlarge the theoretical body of knowledge, while in all seminars of the series aspects of socially sustainably action in organisations are understood better.
In Part 6, during this summer term, approaches of counselling are explored: Which ways of counsel are helpful to support actors in organisations to act socially sustainably? After an introductory start workshop with the theoretical and cooperation framework for the seminar, students prepare workshops on selected topics which will allow interactive learning for all participants. Following a practical approach for General Studies, experience-based didactic is required in all workshops: preparation reading and field exploration of participants, short inputs and working in small groups are part of an interactive setting. The lecturer offers literature and examples, counsels student's teams in their preparation, and offers differentiated feedback afterwards. Topics of the term after the introduction in the discourse of social sustainability in organisations: selected approaches to communication and group cooperation, systemic counselling, supervision, intervision, and coaching. Field explorations in student's teams add to a literature based understanding.

Interest in work-related issues and interdisciplinary points of view, willingness of participants to active participation, interaction and refection are prerequisites for this trainings-seminar. English is used as a lingua franca; student's level must allow to partake actively.

The General Studies seminar can be studied as a stand-alone or as a series. Recommended for students in their 3rd semester or above, open to students from their 1st semester on, open to students from other faculties (BA, MA) and to Erasmus incomings. Please note that this trainings-seminar is limited to 20 participants.

2 SWS: fortnightly, starting in the 2nd week of the term, 3 hours (s.t.!), Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m. Please apply reliable via Stud.IP, all further information there.

Recommended literature
Sommers-Flanagan et al (2004). Counselling and psychotherapy theories in context and practice: skills, strategies, and techniques. Wiley.
Meyerhuber, Sylke 2014.Trust and Time in Reorganisations and the Role of Middle Managers. In: G. Becke (Ed.), Mindful Change in Times of Permanent Reorganisation. Organizational, Institutional and Sustainability Perspectives. Springer, 147-166.
Passmore, J. (2010). Leadership coaching. (Intern. association for coaching). Kogan.

Requirements for ECTS points
Preparation of an interactive workshop on a specific topic, including a field exploration and a written documentary in small teams of students (3/6 ECTS).