Social scientists are typically interested in phenomena that are nested and span multiple levels of analysis: we investigate the political preferences of citizens who live in different countries, individuals who belong to families, pupils who are enrolled in different schools,…

This course teaches you how a variety of nested data structures that are common in social science research can be analyzed using multilevel models.
The course focuses on the estimation of multilevel models in practice as well as the interpretation of multilevel results. Several substantive applications in the area of cross-national comparative research, investigating how national context shapes public opinion.

Topics covered include:
• two-level linear models with random intercepts and/or random slopes;
• separating within from between effects;
• multilevel logistic models;
• more complex data structures (including multilevel models for longitudinal data).

The course combines interactive theoretical sessions and hands-on labs using software package R. Knowledge about the basics of linear regression analysis and hypothesis testing are a prerequisite for taking this course. Some previous experience with R is useful, but not mandatory.

For the evaluation of this course, students can work on a small multilevel research project of their choice.

Course dates: 23 & 24 Oct; 20 & 21 November

What does it take to critically reflect on complex social and political issues – and to take a well-reasoned, responsible stance? This interactive seminar helps students to develop essential skills to do just that. We connect current sociological topics with hands-on activities designed to strengthen your ability to express complex ideas in English – through discussions, short presentations, and teamwork. Together, we’ll explore pressing social issues, practice critical thinking, and learn how to communicate sociological perspectives clearly and effectively – both within and beyond academia. The focus is not only on disciplinary knowledge, but also about reflecting on one’s own stance in relation to society and the environment.

Research about sustainability concerns macro-, meso- and micro-phenomena, and many of them are of interdisciplinary interest. While political sciences and sociology focus foremost on the macro- and meso-level, this seminar situated between sociology and psychology aims also for an understanding of issues concerning the meso- and micro level, and this term particularly those emerging in the wake of the digital transformation.

Subject matters of this training seminar are, after an introductory step, interdisciplinary issues in the context of the digital transformation, e.g.: Are there measurable changes of the brain in result of the use of the internet, and in which respect? How does the internet change childhood and adolescence, and how does that impact on developmental areas? Does digitalisation promote equality – more chances for all like? Which work places are currently foremost endangered by the digital transformation, and what kind of new work opportunities are emerging instead? Which laws protect against unwanted side effects of the digitalisation? What is meant by the TESCREAL philosophies which many Silicon Valley managers do promote? And what does “digital literacy” mean in light of the above? With up-to-date interdisciplinary findings, these questions will be explored and possibly answered.

In this training seminar, socially sustainably methods of participation and democratic interaction based on TCI (Cohn) are used while working on selected topics. In an introductory workshop, the modus operandi and basic knowledge is conveyed, and participants choose a topic they would like to work on in teams. Based on that, student’s teams develop a workshop about their topics, so that it can be understood and explored together with all participants. Theoretical as well as practical insights become tangible through the setting. Upfront reading, short inputs and guided activities in small groups interlock beneficially for participants and the group. The lecturer provides methods and literature, offers practice examples, gives counsel to student’s teams in their preparations, and a differentiated feedback.

Requirement: Willingness of active participation, reflection and interaction are important for participation in this training setting over 7 workshops of 3 hours each.

The Module W5 is studied as a stand-alone seminar. It can be complemented with other seminars of the training-format “Sociology meets Psychology”, e.g. with other modules by the lecturer.
Recommended for 3rd semester Bachelor students of Sociology before their internship and thesis, but explicitly open from the 1st semester. As far as capacity allows, open to Master and Erasmus students, and to students from other faculties. The training group is limited to 20 participants.

2 SWS: Fortnightly, starting in the 2nd week of the term, Tuesdays 4-7 pm; 3 hours (s.t.). Please register reliably via Stud.IP for your participation.

Introductory references
Carvalho, Maria da Graca 2020: Report on Closing the Digital Gender Gap: Women’s Participation in the Digital Economy (2019/2168(INI)). Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality. European Parliament 2019-2024, plenary sitting 25.11.2020, A9-ß232/2020. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-9-2020-0232_EN.html
First, Joseph et al. (2019). The “online brain”: how the Internet may be changing our cognition. World Psychiatry 2019; 18:119–129. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wps.20617
Haidt, J. 2024. The Anxious Generation. How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Penguin Books.

Requirements for credit points: 6 CP
Active participation, preparation of an interactive workshop part and written documentary in a small group.

In der Veranstaltung werden einschlägige Literatur, aktuelle Projekte und Qualifikationsarbeiten im Arbeitsbereich Qualitative Methoden, Mixed-Methods und Mikrosoziologie vorgestellt und diskutiert.

This course is a seminar that introduces students to the study of Sociology. Sociology is the study of the way institutions structure how individuals live as well as the way individuals structure those same institutions. It seeks to ask and examine questions like: What is a society? How have societies developed over time? How and why are different societies more or less equal? This course seeks to examine these questions in ways that provide an introduction to the field of sociology. It focuses on a broad range of theory and research showing how sociologists think about and study these questions.

We have four goals for this course. The first is to provide you with a general overview of the discipline of Sociology. We will explore various social phenomena and discuss the explanations and interpretations of these phenomena offered by sociologists. The second goal is to understand how to look at the social world with a sociological thinking. We will explore what makes sociology different from other types of sciences and how sociologists seek to understand the world. The third goal is to improve your ability to discuss scientific ideas in the common international language of modern scientific publication and discussion, which is English. Finally, the course will help you to navigate, prioritize and choose between different learning, divulgation and scientific materials.

Inhalt: This course is a special offer for international students who are interested in Regional and Urban Geography, and the local history of Bremen and Northwest Germany.

• Students understand the historical development of cities and the processes connecting historical events and urban development
• Students understand the basic ideas of (Regional) and Urban Geography and History as a university science
• Students understand the most important historical events that shaped today’s Germany
• Students are able to give presentations about topics that they researched on their own (about an excursion destination as well as a unique city quarter of Bremen

In der Veranstaltung werden einschlägige Literatur, aktuelle Projekte und Qualifikationsarbeiten im Arbeitsbereich Qualitative Methoden, Mixed-Methods und Mikrosoziologie vorgestellt und diskutiert.

This course is a seminar that introduces students to the study of Sociology. Sociology is the study of the way institutions structure how individuals live as well as the way individuals structure those same institutions. It seeks to ask and examine questions like: What is a society? How have societies developed over time? How and why are different societies more or less equal? This course seeks to examine these questions in ways that provide an introduction to the field of sociology. It focuses on a broad range of theory and research showing how sociologists think about and study these questions.

We have four goals for this course. The first is to provide you with a general overview of the discipline of Sociology. We will explore various social phenomena and discuss the explanations and interpretations of these phenomena offered by sociologists. The second goal is to understand how to look at the social world with a sociological thinking. We will explore what makes sociology different from other types of sciences and how sociologists seek to understand the world. The third goal is to improve your ability to discuss scientific ideas in the common international language of modern scientific publication and discussion, which is English. Finally, the course will help you to navigate, prioritize and choose between different learning, divulgation and scientific materials.

What does it take to critically reflect on complex social and political issues – and to take a well-reasoned, responsible stance? This interactive seminar helps students to develop essential skills to do just that. We connect current sociological topics with hands-on activities designed to strengthen your ability to express complex ideas in English – through discussions, short presentations, and teamwork. Together, we’ll explore pressing social issues, practice critical thinking, and learn how to communicate sociological perspectives clearly and effectively – both within and beyond academia. The focus is not only on disciplinary knowledge, but also about reflecting on one’s own stance in relation to society and the environment.

Research about sustainability concerns macro-, meso- and micro-phenomena, and many of them are of interdisciplinary interest. While political sciences and sociology focus foremost on the macro- and meso-level, this seminar situated between sociology and psychology aims also for an understanding of issues concerning the meso- and micro level, and this term particularly those emerging in the wake of the digital transformation.

Subject matters of this training seminar are, after an introductory step, interdisciplinary issues in the context of the digital transformation, e.g.: Are there measurable changes of the brain in result of the use of the internet, and in which respect? How does the internet change childhood and adolescence, and how does that impact on developmental areas? Does digitalisation promote equality – more chances for all like? Which work places are currently foremost endangered by the digital transformation, and what kind of new work opportunities are emerging instead? Which laws protect against unwanted side effects of the digitalisation? What is meant by the TESCREAL philosophies which many Silicon Valley managers do promote? And what does “digital literacy” mean in light of the above? With up-to-date interdisciplinary findings, these questions will be explored and possibly answered.

In this training seminar, socially sustainably methods of participation and democratic interaction based on TCI (Cohn) are used while working on selected topics. In an introductory workshop, the modus operandi and basic knowledge is conveyed, and participants choose a topic they would like to work on in teams. Based on that, student’s teams develop a workshop about their topics, so that it can be understood and explored together with all participants. Theoretical as well as practical insights become tangible through the setting. Upfront reading, short inputs and guided activities in small groups interlock beneficially for participants and the group. The lecturer provides methods and literature, offers practice examples, gives counsel to student’s teams in their preparations, and a differentiated feedback.

Requirement: Willingness of active participation, reflection and interaction are important for participation in this training setting over 7 workshops of 3 hours each.

The Module W5 is studied as a stand-alone seminar. It can be complemented with other seminars of the training-format “Sociology meets Psychology”, e.g. with other modules by the lecturer.
Recommended for 3rd semester Bachelor students of Sociology before their internship and thesis, but explicitly open from the 1st semester. As far as capacity allows, open to Master and Erasmus students, and to students from other faculties. The training group is limited to 20 participants.

2 SWS: Fortnightly, starting in the 2nd week of the term, Tuesdays 4-7 pm; 3 hours (s.t.). Please register reliably via Stud.IP for your participation.

Introductory references
Carvalho, Maria da Graca 2020: Report on Closing the Digital Gender Gap: Women’s Participation in the Digital Economy (2019/2168(INI)). Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality. European Parliament 2019-2024, plenary sitting 25.11.2020, A9-ß232/2020. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-9-2020-0232_EN.html
First, Joseph et al. (2019). The “online brain”: how the Internet may be changing our cognition. World Psychiatry 2019; 18:119–129. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wps.20617
Haidt, J. 2024. The Anxious Generation. How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Penguin Books.

Requirements for credit points: 6 CP
Active participation, preparation of an interactive workshop part and written documentary in a small group.

Social scientists are typically interested in phenomena that are nested and span multiple levels of analysis: we investigate the political preferences of citizens who live in different countries, individuals who belong to families, pupils who are enrolled in different schools,…

This course teaches you how a variety of nested data structures that are common in social science research can be analyzed using multilevel models.
The course focuses on the estimation of multilevel models in practice as well as the interpretation of multilevel results. Several substantive applications in the area of cross-national comparative research, investigating how national context shapes public opinion.

Topics covered include:
• two-level linear models with random intercepts and/or random slopes;
• separating within from between effects;
• multilevel logistic models;
• more complex data structures (including multilevel models for longitudinal data).

The course combines interactive theoretical sessions and hands-on labs using software package R. Knowledge about the basics of linear regression analysis and hypothesis testing are a prerequisite for taking this course. Some previous experience with R is useful, but not mandatory.

For the evaluation of this course, students can work on a small multilevel research project of their choice.

Course dates: 23 & 24 Oct; 20 & 21 November

In der Veranstaltung werden einschlägige Literatur, aktuelle Projekte und Qualifikationsarbeiten im Arbeitsbereich Qualitative Methoden, Mixed-Methods und Mikrosoziologie vorgestellt und diskutiert.

This course is a seminar that introduces students to the study of Sociology. Sociology is the study of the way institutions structure how individuals live as well as the way individuals structure those same institutions. It seeks to ask and examine questions like: What is a society? How have societies developed over time? How and why are different societies more or less equal? This course seeks to examine these questions in ways that provide an introduction to the field of sociology. It focuses on a broad range of theory and research showing how sociologists think about and study these questions.

We have four goals for this course. The first is to provide you with a general overview of the discipline of Sociology. We will explore various social phenomena and discuss the explanations and interpretations of these phenomena offered by sociologists. The second goal is to understand how to look at the social world with a sociological thinking. We will explore what makes sociology different from other types of sciences and how sociologists seek to understand the world. The third goal is to improve your ability to discuss scientific ideas in the common international language of modern scientific publication and discussion, which is English. Finally, the course will help you to navigate, prioritize and choose between different learning, divulgation and scientific materials.

What does it take to critically reflect on complex social and political issues – and to take a well-reasoned, responsible stance? This interactive seminar helps students to develop essential skills to do just that. We connect current sociological topics with hands-on activities designed to strengthen your ability to express complex ideas in English – through discussions, short presentations, and teamwork. Together, we’ll explore pressing social issues, practice critical thinking, and learn how to communicate sociological perspectives clearly and effectively – both within and beyond academia. The focus is not only on disciplinary knowledge, but also about reflecting on one’s own stance in relation to society and the environment.

Research about sustainability concerns macro-, meso- and micro-phenomena, and many of them are of interdisciplinary interest. While political sciences and sociology focus foremost on the macro- and meso-level, this seminar situated between sociology and psychology aims also for an understanding of issues concerning the meso- and micro level, and this term particularly those emerging in the wake of the digital transformation.

Subject matters of this training seminar are, after an introductory step, interdisciplinary issues in the context of the digital transformation, e.g.: Are there measurable changes of the brain in result of the use of the internet, and in which respect? How does the internet change childhood and adolescence, and how does that impact on developmental areas? Does digitalisation promote equality – more chances for all like? Which work places are currently foremost endangered by the digital transformation, and what kind of new work opportunities are emerging instead? Which laws protect against unwanted side effects of the digitalisation? What is meant by the TESCREAL philosophies which many Silicon Valley managers do promote? And what does “digital literacy” mean in light of the above? With up-to-date interdisciplinary findings, these questions will be explored and possibly answered.

In this training seminar, socially sustainably methods of participation and democratic interaction based on TCI (Cohn) are used while working on selected topics. In an introductory workshop, the modus operandi and basic knowledge is conveyed, and participants choose a topic they would like to work on in teams. Based on that, student’s teams develop a workshop about their topics, so that it can be understood and explored together with all participants. Theoretical as well as practical insights become tangible through the setting. Upfront reading, short inputs and guided activities in small groups interlock beneficially for participants and the group. The lecturer provides methods and literature, offers practice examples, gives counsel to student’s teams in their preparations, and a differentiated feedback.

Requirement: Willingness of active participation, reflection and interaction are important for participation in this training setting over 7 workshops of 3 hours each.

The Module W5 is studied as a stand-alone seminar. It can be complemented with other seminars of the training-format “Sociology meets Psychology”, e.g. with other modules by the lecturer.
Recommended for 3rd semester Bachelor students of Sociology before their internship and thesis, but explicitly open from the 1st semester. As far as capacity allows, open to Master and Erasmus students, and to students from other faculties. The training group is limited to 20 participants.

2 SWS: Fortnightly, starting in the 2nd week of the term, Tuesdays 4-7 pm; 3 hours (s.t.). Please register reliably via Stud.IP for your participation.

Introductory references
Carvalho, Maria da Graca 2020: Report on Closing the Digital Gender Gap: Women’s Participation in the Digital Economy (2019/2168(INI)). Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality. European Parliament 2019-2024, plenary sitting 25.11.2020, A9-ß232/2020. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-9-2020-0232_EN.html
First, Joseph et al. (2019). The “online brain”: how the Internet may be changing our cognition. World Psychiatry 2019; 18:119–129. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wps.20617
Haidt, J. 2024. The Anxious Generation. How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Penguin Books.

Requirements for credit points: 6 CP
Active participation, preparation of an interactive workshop part and written documentary in a small group.

Inhalt: This course is a special offer for international students who are interested in Regional and Urban Geography, and the local history of Bremen and Northwest Germany.

• Students understand the historical development of cities and the processes connecting historical events and urban development
• Students understand the basic ideas of (Regional) and Urban Geography and History as a university science
• Students understand the most important historical events that shaped today’s Germany
• Students are able to give presentations about topics that they researched on their own (about an excursion destination as well as a unique city quarter of Bremen

Research about sustainability concerns macro-, meso- and micro-phenomena, and many of them are of interdisciplinary interest. While political sciences and sociology focus foremost on the macro- and meso-level, this seminar situated between sociology and psychology aims also for an understanding of issues concerning the meso- and micro level, and this term particularly those emerging in the wake of the digital transformation.

Subject matters of this training seminar are, after an introductory step, interdisciplinary issues in the context of the digital transformation, e.g.: Are there measurable changes of the brain in result of the use of the internet, and in which respect? How does the internet change childhood and adolescence, and how does that impact on developmental areas? Does digitalisation promote equality – more chances for all like? Which work places are currently foremost endangered by the digital transformation, and what kind of new work opportunities are emerging instead? Which laws protect against unwanted side effects of the digitalisation? What is meant by the TESCREAL philosophies which many Silicon Valley managers do promote? And what does “digital literacy” mean in light of the above? With up-to-date interdisciplinary findings, these questions will be explored and possibly answered.

In this training seminar, socially sustainably methods of participation and democratic interaction based on TCI (Cohn) are used while working on selected topics. In an introductory workshop, the modus operandi and basic knowledge is conveyed, and participants choose a topic they would like to work on in teams. Based on that, student’s teams develop a workshop about their topics, so that it can be understood and explored together with all participants. Theoretical as well as practical insights become tangible through the setting. Upfront reading, short inputs and guided activities in small groups interlock beneficially for participants and the group. The lecturer provides methods and literature, offers practice examples, gives counsel to student’s teams in their preparations, and a differentiated feedback.

Requirement: Willingness of active participation, reflection and interaction are important for participation in this training setting over 7 workshops of 3 hours each.

The Module W5 is studied as a stand-alone seminar. It can be complemented with other seminars of the training-format “Sociology meets Psychology”, e.g. with other modules by the lecturer.
Recommended for 3rd semester Bachelor students of Sociology before their internship and thesis, but explicitly open from the 1st semester. As far as capacity allows, open to Master and Erasmus students, and to students from other faculties. The training group is limited to 20 participants.

2 SWS: Fortnightly, starting in the 2nd week of the term, Tuesdays 4-7 pm; 3 hours (s.t.). Please register reliably via Stud.IP for your participation.

Introductory references
Carvalho, Maria da Graca 2020: Report on Closing the Digital Gender Gap: Women’s Participation in the Digital Economy (2019/2168(INI)). Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality. European Parliament 2019-2024, plenary sitting 25.11.2020, A9-ß232/2020. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-9-2020-0232_EN.html
First, Joseph et al. (2019). The “online brain”: how the Internet may be changing our cognition. World Psychiatry 2019; 18:119–129. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wps.20617
Haidt, J. 2024. The Anxious Generation. How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Penguin Books.

Requirements for credit points: 6 CP
Active participation, preparation of an interactive workshop part and written documentary in a small group.

What does it take to critically reflect on complex social and political issues – and to take a well-reasoned, responsible stance? This interactive seminar helps students to develop essential skills to do just that. We connect current sociological topics with hands-on activities designed to strengthen your ability to express complex ideas in English – through discussions, short presentations, and teamwork. Together, we’ll explore pressing social issues, practice critical thinking, and learn how to communicate sociological perspectives clearly and effectively – both within and beyond academia. The focus is not only on disciplinary knowledge, but also about reflecting on one’s own stance in relation to society and the environment.

This course is a seminar that introduces students to the study of Sociology. Sociology is the study of the way institutions structure how individuals live as well as the way individuals structure those same institutions. It seeks to ask and examine questions like: What is a society? How have societies developed over time? How and why are different societies more or less equal? This course seeks to examine these questions in ways that provide an introduction to the field of sociology. It focuses on a broad range of theory and research showing how sociologists think about and study these questions.

We have four goals for this course. The first is to provide you with a general overview of the discipline of Sociology. We will explore various social phenomena and discuss the explanations and interpretations of these phenomena offered by sociologists. The second goal is to understand how to look at the social world with a sociological thinking. We will explore what makes sociology different from other types of sciences and how sociologists seek to understand the world. The third goal is to improve your ability to discuss scientific ideas in the common international language of modern scientific publication and discussion, which is English. Finally, the course will help you to navigate, prioritize and choose between different learning, divulgation and scientific materials.

In der Veranstaltung werden einschlägige Literatur, aktuelle Projekte und Qualifikationsarbeiten im Arbeitsbereich Qualitative Methoden, Mixed-Methods und Mikrosoziologie vorgestellt und diskutiert.