Final thesis
We supervise literature-based as well as empirical theses, without any thematic restrictions.
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To ensure that you are familiar with the requirements of our chair, you should have completed at least one exercise course, seminar, or research course at Chair 01. Please also note the general information on final theses on the department homepage.
Bachelor thesis
In a Bachelor thesis (final module, 12 ECTS), students should work on a specific sociological problem. Writing a thesis documents the ability to work independently on a sociological problem using scientific methods and to present the results obtained in a professional manner.
The project module (6 ECTS) consists of an accompanying exercise course in which students are introduced to writing a longer academic paper. In addition, the current status of students' theses is presented and discussed.
- Time allowance
- 10 weeks
- Length
- 80,000 characters (approx. 40 pages)
In most cases, you will come up with a research question yourself and discuss it with your supervisor. Bachelor theses are usually literature reviews.
Interested candidates should contact a supervisor during the semester before registration to clarify the topic and plan which data can be used as the basis for their investigation.
You will remain in contact with your supervisor throughout your project and clarify any questions that arise together.
You should submit an exposé on your topic in which the following points are clarified no later than two weeks before the registration deadline:
- Working title
- Research question
- Data basis
- Structure of the thesis
- Initial literature research
The exposé is not binding: If, during the course of your work, it becomes apparent that the topic or methodological approach initially described in the exposé was not optimal, you may deviate from it accordingly, after consulting with your supervisor.
Submit your exposé as a PDF to your supervisor.
Fill in your details on the registration form available on the PAGS website and send it by email as a PDF document to your supervisor.
After discussing your exposé with your supervisor, take a printed copy of your exposé and the completed registration form to Professor Nassehi during his office hours and present your topic.
The completed registration form will then be forwarded to PAGS.
As registration times for Bachelor theses usually fall during lecture-free periods, please make sure to visit Prof. Nassehi during his office hours in good time—he is not always on campus during lecture-free periods, and his office hours do not take place every week. Please be sure to factor this into your preparations for registration!
The project module is a place to present your research question and approach to a larger audience of other Bachelor and Master candidates. Use this forum to discuss any problems and questions that may arise and to exchange feedback and suggestions.
A presentation of the Bachelor thesis is required as part of the final project module (6 ECTS).
max. 20 minutes with 10 minutes for discussion
The following points should be addressed:
- Research question
- Theory / state of research
- Methodological approach (if available: initial results)
- Open questions and problems
Students are required to submit two bound copies of their Bachelor thesis (printed double-sided) including a signed declaration of originality by the submission deadline to PAGS. Please note the detailed instructions from PAGS regarding submission, and direct all organizational inquiries (including extensions) to PAGS.
In addition, Bachelor theses must be submitted to the supervisor as a PDF via email. Please also submit analysis scripts as separate files.
File name:
Last name_First name_Bachelor thesis.pdf
Assessments will be completed approximately 6 weeks after submission. Essential information from the report will be sent to you via email.
Master thesis
In a Master thesis (final module, 24 ECTS), students should develop a sociological question based on the relevant state of research, present it precisely, and use methodological tools and methods.
The project module (6 ECTS) consists of an accompanying exercise course in which students present and discuss the current status of their Master thesis.
- Time allowance
- 18 weeks
- Length
- 140,000 characters (approx. 80 pages)
In most cases, you will come up with a research question yourself and discuss it with your supervisor.
Interested candidates should contact a supervisor during the semester before registration to clarify the topic and plan which data can be used as the basis for their investigation.
You will remain in contact with your supervisor throughout your project and clarify any questions that arise together.
You should submit an exposé on your topic in which the following points are clarified no later than two weeks before the registration deadline:
- Working title
- Research question
- Data basis
- Structure of the thesis
- Initial literature research
The exposé is not binding: If, during the course of your work, it becomes apparent that the topic or methodological approach initially described in the exposé was not optimal, you may deviate from it accordingly, after consulting with your supervisor.
Submit your exposé as a PDF to your supervisor.
Fill in your details on the registration form available on the PAGS website and send it by email as a PDF document to your supervisor.
After discussing your exposé with your supervisor, take a printed copy of your exposé and the completed registration form to Professor Nassehi during his office hours and present your topic.
The completed registration form will then be forwarded to PAGS.
As registration times for Master theses usually fall during lecture-free periods, please make sure to visit Prof. Nassehi during his office hours in good time—he is not always on campus during lecture-free periods, and his office hours do not take place every week. Please be sure to factor this into your preparations for registration!
The project module is a place to present your research question and approach to a larger audience of other Bachelor and Master candidates. Use this forum to discuss any problems and questions that may arise and to exchange feedback and suggestions.
A presentation of the Bachelor thesis is required as part of the final project module (6 ECTS).
max. 20 minutes with 10 minutes for discussion
The following points should be addressed:
- Research question
- Theory / state of research
- Methodological approach (if available: initial results)
- Open questions and problems
20 minutes
In the oral exam, you should present the following points in approximately 5 minutes:
- Topic
- Research question
- Sociological relevance of your topic
- Structure of your work
- (Ideally: preliminary results)
The presentation will be followed by a sociological discussion in which we will ask questions about your work, for example about the topic, your choice of analysis method, theoretical references, and/or possible results. The aim of the exam is for you to show us to what extent you can independently reflect on, argue, and discuss the structure and content of your work.
Students are required to submit two bound copies of their Master thesis (printed double-sided) including a signed declaration of originality by the submission deadline to PAGS. Please note the detailed instructions from PAGS regarding submission, and direct all organizational inquiries (including extensions) to PAGS.
In addition, Bachelor theses must be submitted to the supervisor as a PDF via email. Please also submit analysis scripts as separate files.
File name:
Last name_First name_Master thesis.pdf
Assessments will be completed approximately 6 weeks after submission. Essential information from the report will be sent to you via email.
Supervision
At Chair 01, final theses can be supervised by all academic staff members.
To ensure optimal supervision of your work, please contact the relevant supervisor by email as soon as possible to discuss your topic. Please inform yourself beforehand (!) about the exact procedures.
We recommend inquiring in advance as to which member of staff would be best suited to your project in terms of subject matter.