Our program offers students comprehensive insights into both classic and contemporary topics within urban and spatial sociology. Beyond foundational theories of city and space, accessible through an introductory lecture and seminars on seminal urban sociology texts and spatial theories, we also delve into various current urban and spatial issues reflecting our department's specialties. For more details on our research areas, please refer to the Profile of the Department of Urban and Spatial Sociology section.
The BA Sociology program offers a comprehensive introduction to sociology, including a core introductory lecture in urban and spatial sociology, supported by a tutorial. Students will also engage in a specialized seminar in the area of city and space, with the option to supplement this with a written term paper. Additional seminars on current topics in urban and spatial sociology are available in the special sociology section. The elective component allows for course selection from thematically related disciplines (e.g. 'History', 'Political Science', 'City and Architecture', 'Infrastructure, Planning and Transport', etc.). Last but not least, practical experience can be gained through a mandatory internship in fields such as urban planning, journalism, neighborhood management. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to focus their BA thesis on urban and spatial studies.
The Joint Bachelor (JBA) Sociology program offers a comprehensive introduction to sociology, including a core introductory lecture in urban and spatial sociology, supported by a tutorial. Students will also engage in a specialized seminar in the area of city and space, with the option to supplement this with a written term paper. Additional seminars on current topics in urban and spatial sociology are available in the special sociology section. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to focus their BA thesis on urban and spatial studies.
In the Master's degree program (MA) in Sociology, students have the opportunity to undertake a teaching research project with a focus on city and space as part of their core studies, offered regularly. Those who choose city and space as a specialization can attend a total of two specialization seminars in this field, enabling them to focus their entire MA coursework on urban and spatial sociology. In the compulsory elective area, courses from the module catalog of related disciplines (e.g. 'History', 'Political Science', 'Infrastructure, Planning and Transport', etc.) are available. Students can also gain practical experience in related fields such as urban planning, journalism, neighborhood management, etc. as part of an internship. Furthermore, the Master's thesis, supported by a colloquium, can be focused on urban and spatial topics.
Students can focus on city and space in their sociology studies through a two-semester teaching research project. Under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Sybille Frank, students engage in their own research project, collaborating with peers to explore diverse topics.
Completed teaching research projects by Prof. Dr. Sybille Frank at the TU Darmstadt:
- How modern is Darmstadt? Research project (M.A.) „Wie modern ist Darmstadt? Die Nominierung der Mathildenhöhe als UNESCO-Welterbe“, TU Darmstadt (2017-2018)
- Cities in the tourism trap? Research project (M.A.) „Städte in der Toursmusfalle? Tourismus und Wohnqualität“, TU Darmstadt (2020-2021)
In the BA degree program in Sociology, students must complete a compulsory internship ranging from 160 to 300 hours.
In the JBA Sociology program, a voluntary internship of 150 hours is available, which counts towards the optional section of the program..
In the MA Sociology program, students can undertake an internship of at least 320 hours in the compulsory elective component.
These internships provide valuable insights into various professional fields. To align with urban and spatial sociology, students can pursue internships in areas like urban planning, urban policy, mediation and conflict management, journalism and publishing, tourism and museum facilities, neighborhood management, or city marketing. This enables students to establish a connection to their preferred professional field during their academic journey.
