Political Science at the Faculty of Social Sciences

Political Science at the University of Kaiserslautern (TUK) consists offive research groups: Political Science I (German Politics/Comparative Government and Politics), Political Science II (International Relations/Foreign Policy), Political Science III (Policy Analysis & Political Economy), Political Science IV (Didactics of Civic Education), and Political Science V (Transatlantic Relations).

Each group conducts research and teaches courses on current issues in domestic and international politics. At the Bachelor level, the courses are attended by students of “Social Studies” (Sozialkunde) aspiring to a teaching position at various types of schools in lower and upper secondary education and by those studying “Integrated Social Science” (Integrative Sozialwissenschaft). Thus, Bachelor level political science students spending their exchange semester at University of Kaiserslautern will attend courses in Political Science within the framework of either Sozialkunde (B.Ed.) or Integrative Sozialwissenschaft (B.A. or M.A.).

A new M.A. program in political science will start in the winter term 2021/2022 and gives students the opportunity to specialize either in “Foreign & Public Policy” or in “Digital Politics” within the framework of specialized modules. Furthermore, students will have the opportunity to further develop their profile by selecting courses of interest – both in terms of relevant topics and skills – from a broader menu when completing Module 6 (“Complementary Topics and Competences”) of the M.A. program either at the University of Kaiserslautern or at a partner university during a semester abroad.  

Curriculum B. Ed. Social Sciences
Curriculum M. Ed. Social Sciences
Curriculum M. A. Political Science

Students can select from a variety of courses offered within the framework of various modules mainly structured along and corresponding with major research areas of Political Science. Students will acquire solid knowledge of major theories and issue areas in Political Science. Furthermore, they can explore, analyze and interpret developments in contemporary domestic and international politics. Moreover, the academic program is supplemented with extracurricular events, activities, and field trips throughout the year organized by the Department’s research groups. In the summer term, for instance, students usually have the opportunity to participate in a field trip to Berlin, Vienna or Strasbourg, visiting various international institutions (EU, UN), learning more about their mission and goals, and receiving first-hand information from experts in the field. Overall, students are offered a comprehensive curriculum in Political Science. Please note that other departments at the University of Kaiserslautern also offer ample opportunities for extracurricular activities. For example, you can check the sports courses and workshops offered by UNISPORT here. For an overview of activities and events CampusPlus offers to improve students’ “bio-psycho-social health” visit this page. For all interested in culture and arts, activities and events offered by CampusKultur might be the right choice.

Students are expected to be fluent in German and capable of partaking in oral or written exams in German. However, the research group of Professor Georg Wenzelburger, Political Science III (Policy Analysis & Political Economy), offers a Master course in English during each winter term (for instance “The Politics of Advanced Capitalism: Europe and beyond” winter term 2020/21). Course work can be done in English in all other classes offered by Prof. Wenzelburger too. This applies to the classes of Professors Marcus Höreth, Inken Heldt and Florian Böller as well.

International students can attend German language courses which are offered by the University`s Language Department on a regular basis at levels A-1 to C-1. There are evening classes (A-1 to C-1) as well.

For more information see:

https://www.uni-kl.de/vkb/sprachkurse/deutsch-als-fremdsprache/