Please note: The degree program was reformed for the autumn semester 2026. This page contains an overview of the curricula according to the old study regulations. For information on the current program structure, please click here. Students who are already matriculated can still complete their studies in a transitional phase under the previously applicable conditions. However, you must complete your studies by January 31, 2029 at the latest. If you graduate later, you must transfer to the revised study program. Upon application, students who are already matriculated can transfer to the Changing Societies master's degree program from the fall semester 2026 in accordance with the revised study program.

The master's degree program Changing Societies: Migration - Conflicts - Resources passes the six modules "Theories for Understanding Changing Societies" (6 CP), "Methods for Analyzing Changing Societies" (6 CP), "Migration, Mobility and Transnationalism" (10 CP), "Conflicts and Peacebuilding" (10 CP), "Resources and Sustainability" (10 CP) and "Changing Societies Lab" (18 CP). To pass the degree program, a seminar paper must be written in two of the three modules "Migration, Mobility and Transnationalism", "Conflicts and Peacebuilding" and "Resources and Sustainability".

The courses in this module provide an overview of the various general social theory foundations for understanding and analyzing "changing societies". The courses introduce students to the theories that seek to explain society, culture and politics from a historical and contemporary perspective, but also to individual sub-areas of social, political and cultural processes. They focus on local, regional, national and international levels and discuss structural and institutional as well as process-oriented and actor-centered approaches.

The courses in this module provide the methodological foundations for empirical work on the subject of "changing societies". Students select the courses that provide them with the methodological tools they need to participate in a Changing Societies Lab from the Department's recurring basic courses on qualitative and quantitative research methods. The individual research groups involved define the requirements, which are summarized in an information sheet for the students. This module also teaches the basics that qualify students to write a research-related master's thesis. The basic offer is occasionally supplemented by specific, specialized methods courses.

This module offers courses on the main topic of "Migration and Mobility". The courses convey theories and approaches of migration and mobility research, provide an introduction to the historical development and current processes of migration using various examples and lay the foundations for an understanding of the national and international framework of migration policy. They also deal with the overarching issues of networked and transnational societies. Students must attend at least one seminar or research seminar in this module.

In this module, courses are offered on the main topic of "Conflict and Peace Research". In addition to the presentation of
general theories, the focus will be on topics such as global governance, mediation, statehood and democracy, the role of economic actors in conflict contexts and transitional justice. In addition, the interplay between academia and practice will be examined using concrete examples. Students must attend at least one seminar or research seminar in this module.

In this module, courses are offered on the main topic of "Dealing with resources and sustainable development". The focus is on issues such as the social handling of resources (e.g. inequalities in the provision of resources), the transformation of the consumer society, changes in expectations of quality of life, the significance and role of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for the transformation of society, different (cultural) understandings of sustainability or the opportunities and risks of digitalization for the sustainable development of societies
(cultural) characteristics of the understanding of sustainability or the opportunities and risks of digitalization for the sustainable development of societies. Students must attend at least one seminar or research seminar in this module.

The module “Changing Societies Lab” can be passed in two different ways:

(a) Participation in research projects: Students are given the opportunity to work on ongoing research projects within the participating subjects of the degree program. This staff work is worth the equivalent of 6 credit points. The details are set out in a learning contract with the person responsible for the research project or the assessor. to successfully complete the module, students must work on a research project twice. They also attend a colloquium (3 CP) and courses of their choice (3 CP) that are offered in this module.

b) Field research MSF Anthropology: Students take part in courses offered by the subject area of anthropology in connection with the MSF Anthropology. This includes a preparatory course in the fall semester (10 CP), several weeks of field research in the lecture-free period between the fall and spring semesters (January/February) and a debriefing course in the spring semester (5 CP). The subject and objective of the field research are determined anew each year by the subject areas offering the course. Students attend the colloquium offered as part of the MSF Anthropology. In addition, they attend a course of their choice in this module, which is worth at least 1 CP.

The study program provides an overview of the program structure and structure of the degree programs: