Political Theory (Master of Arts)
in cooperation with Goethe University Frankfurt am Main
(Politische Theorie, M.A.)
General Information
Brief Description
The Master of Arts in Political Theory takes place in cooperation between the Goethe University Frankfurt and the TU Darmstadt. Students are required to attend courses/lectures both at TU Darmstadt and at the Goethe University Frankfurt.
Besides the standard issues of justice, the focus of the programme is on the conceptual-historical examination of changes in political concepts, as well as theory-based analysis of power and hegemonic relationships in political reality. Political Theory is researched and taught under various perspectives: a conceptual historical, a philosophically-based, a theory-guided empirical and an institutional-theoretical perspective. The programme aims is to enable students to undertake a careful analysis of the current political scene and its dynamics.
The Master of Arts degree programme in Political Theory is divided into a Compulsory Course Area (66 CPs) and an Optional Course Area (11 CPs).
The Compulsory Course Area is divided into the following modules:
• Module 1: Theoretical Paradigms
• Module 2: Political Theory and Philosophy
• Module 3: The State and Democracy
• Module 4: Globalisation and International Politics
• Module 6: Semester abroad (optional)
• Module 7: Modern developments in Political Theory
• Module 8: Advanced Studies
• Module 9: Internship
• Module 10: Final module
Module 5 in this programme consists of the Optional Course Area. Students must choose among Social Theory or Constitutional and Legal Theory or Economic Theory and Political Economy.
Students going abroad for one semester have to pass a minimum of six courses at the Goethe-Universität Frankfurt and a minimum of three courses at the TU Darmstadt. Students not going abroad for a semester have to pass a minimum of eight courses at the Goethe-Universität Frankfurt and a minimum of four courses at the TU Darmstadt; further information.
The degree programme concludes with the Master’s Thesis (23 CPs).
Further information may be found at:
Advice for Prospective M.A. Students
While the Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science focuses mainly on the fundamentals of the field, the Master of Arts in Political Theory builds directly on this foundation by providing more breadth and depth scientifically and a more complete insight into the field. In contrast to the Bachelor degree programme, the Master of Arts enables and requires students to adopt their own major focal area and to work towards their own independent academic, scientific research profile. For these reasons it is recommended that students complete a Master of Arts degree.
Related Degree Programmes
| Political Science (B.A.) (Politikwissenchaft, B.A.) |
| Political Science (J.B.A.) (Politikwissenschaft, J.B.A.) |
| History (M.A.) (Geschichte, M.A.) |
| Governance and Public Policy (M.A.) |
| International Studies/Peace and Conflict Research (M.A.) (Internationale Studien/Friedens- und Konfliktforschung, M.A.) |
| Sociology (M.A.) (Soziologie, M.A.) |
Doctoral Studies
Upon successful completion of a Master of Science degree, there is the opportunity to begin working towards a Ph.D. either at the TU Darmstadt or at another national or international university. Further information on doctoral studies at TU Darmstadt:
Requirements, supervisors, funding, administrative steps
Structured Doctoral Programmes at TU Darmstadt
Junior Research Groups at TU Darmstadt
Ingenium – Young Researchers at TU Darmstadt (umbrella organisation for promoting early career researchers)
Career Perspectives
Further information about career opportunities on the German job market may be found on the following websites:Career prospects for social scientists in general and for graduates of Political Science in particular, i.e. Master of Arts holders in Political Theory, are widely varied. An important feature of this broad spectrum includes practical experience, which students may obtain during their degree, depending on which specialisations they wish to focus on.
In general, political scientists work with schoolbook and textbook editors, with publishing houses (e.g. as copy editors), with radio, television and newspaper editing desks, in PR and marketing agencies, in libraries and archives, with international organisations and in the cultural field. With additional business management qualification, political scientists may also find positions in business enterprises (e.g. in business and marketing or human resources). Other options include working in the public service, with press agencies or in journalism, which are fields in which social scientists often work.
Of course political scientists also often find themselves working in research and teaching at universities. In addition, they are also found in statistical, market and polling institutes for political parties, associations, international organisations or in public administration.
For this reason it is important to start early in the degree programme to gain practical work experience in relevant organisations. In this way students can promote themselves as competent professionals in practice and make important professional contacts. The likelihood of finding a good position is definitely heightened if the student is flexible when it comes to commuting or even moving abroad. Good English language skills are particularly important when it comes to the international job market.
TU Darmstadt's offer of Job Shadowing is a quick and simple method of career orientation by accompanying professionally experienced TU Darmstadt alumni for one day.
Further information about career opportunities on the German job market may be found on the following websites:
de'ge'pol – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Politikberatung e.V.
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Politikwissenschaft