Sociology in Dresden

Sociology, as a critical science, questions the origins and development paths of societies and deals with very different social phenomena, such as the emergence of social movements or punk rock, the change in family structures, educational inequality and globalization.

Sociologists adopt very different perspectives and examine society at all levels. They are interested in the behavior and actions of individuals and social groups, but also in the structures of the social order and their effects. A relationship between two people is just as much a subject of investigation in sociology as a social movement or a global trend towards networking.

It is central to sociology to consider the social effects of the phenomena under investigation and to use and apply the appropriate theoretical considerations and methods of empirical social research for this purpose.

The objects of study in the subject are not always easy to grasp. They are often hidden and only become visible through systematic sociological analysis. But it is precisely in this way that sociologists contribute to the development of solutions for social problems, both large and small.

The Institute of Sociology has five undergraduate Chairs. In addition, one Senior Professor, one Extraordinary Professor and three Honorary Professors are members of the Institute.

You can find information on teaching and core research areas in the overview of the Chairs.

From the winter semester 2024/25, Prof. Dr. Antonia Kupfer will take over as Managing Director of the Institute.

There are currently around 330 students enrolled on the Bachelor's or Master's degree course in Sociology (as of July 2020).