Teaching

Degrees Being Phased Out

The department is currently in the process of phasing out its non-consecutive M. A. (Magister Artium) degree in Political Science as well as the non-consecutive "Civics" study program leading to the German state examination for high-school teachers. Please note that as of Winter 2008/9, first-year students are no longer admitted to these programs!  

Current and Upcoming Degrees

Our Department offers a B. A. (Bachelor of Arts) in Political Science, which in the summer of 2011 will enter its 6nd semester. Political Science as a major can be combined with a minor in one of the other social sciences or in a fairly large number of other disciplines. Political Science can also be chosen as a minor in other B. A. programs.

Beginning with the winter semester of 2011/12, the Department will offer a consecutive M. A. (Master of Arts) in Democratic Studies that will focus on the study of democracy on the national, regional and international level, both from a theore­tical and an empirical perspective. Students wishing to enroll in this M. A. program must have completed a first university degree, most likely in Political Science or a neighboring social science, and should have acquired a solid base of knowledge and skills in the methods of empirical social-science research and statistics.

We are currently participating in the elaboration of the study program for a tri-national M. A. in European Politics which will be offered in cooperation with the University of Dijon (France) and the University of Opole (Poland), probably beginning in 2011. Students will study one semester each at Dijon, Mainz and Opole, and will then complete their degree at the participating university of their choice. Besides undertaking an intensive study program in European Politics, in this program students will also receive training in the two respective foreign languages. At Mainz, part of the study program will be offered in English for those participating students with little previous knowledge of German.

We also offer a Ph. D. in Political Science.

 

The International Dimension

The Department of Political Science currently maintains exchange agreements with more than 20 partner universities in Europe under the EU’s Erasmus programme. This includes both a student exchange programme through which students may spend a semester or an academic year abroad, and a staff exchange programme. The department also participates in international activities facilitated through the many bilateral co-operation agreements Johannes Gutenberg University has with partner universities in non-EU countries. All these programmes enhance our international perspective in learning and teaching. Besides, students have the opportunity to improve their language skills at the department, as we always offer several courses taught in English.