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Information on individual subsidiary subjects in the Bachelor's programme

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Bielefeld University

The BA degree programmes of the Faculty of Sociology (1-subject and core subject) include individual subsidiary subjects. This area enables students to customise their profile.

You can find further information on the following Bielefeld University website: General information on individual subsidiary subjects.

In the following, the Faculty of Sociology shows you which modules and courses you could attend from the fields of sociology, political science and social sciences in the individual subsidiary subjects. These recommendations are not binding. They are for guidance only.

Brief overview of individual subsidiary subjects

The individual subsidiary subjects, also known as IndiErg for short, is a separate area that you study alongside the core subject and minor subject (or minor subjects if applicable). It is anchored in the core subject and comprises a total of 30 credit points (CP).

Of the total of 30 ECTS credits in the individual subsidiary subjects, at least 20 ECTS credits are completed in modularised form (e.g. 2 x 10 ECTS modules or 2 x 5 ECTS modules + 1 x 10 ECTS module or 1 x 20 ECTS module). In addition, 10 CP remain, which can be completed freely in various courses or in module form.

In principle, you can choose from the university's entire Bachelor's programme in the individual subsidiary subjects. It is important to note that you must complete 20 CP in the form of so-called "real" modules and can study 10 CP "freely" or also in module form. In addition, you may only choose modules and courses that you have not already studied. You are therefore not allowed to study any modules "twice", even if you choose other courses.

ATTENTION: In any case, the subject-specific regulations (FsB) for the individual subsidiary subjects of your Bachelor's degree programme must be observed! The quickest way to access all FsB in the Bachelor's programme is via the study information pages.

Information on the modualised area

  • Specialised module from the courses offered by the Faculty of Sociology: Please note that the specialised module does not have to be studied as part of your degree programme or that you have already scheduled the module for your compulsory elective area. Modules cannot be credited "twice" in the IndiErg and compulsory elective area of a degree programme. A module cannot be studied twice
  • IndiErg modules of the Faculty of Sociology for non-specialists: The modules are aimed at non-specialist students, but are also open to students of the Faculty. They are introductory in nature and consist of courses from the introductory phase of the BA degree programmes in Sociology, Political Science and Sociology. Please check in advance whether you have already studied individual courses / module elements in your introductory phase or in one of the other IndiErg modules for non-specialists. Courses cannot be credited twice and you cannot study the entire module for the IndiErg. The Faculty of Sociology offers the following IndiErg modules for non-specialists:

Module 30-IndiErg1: Overview of Sociology for non-specialists

Module 30-IndiErg 2: Overview of Political Science for non-specialists

Module 30-IndiErg 3: Overview of social sciences for non-specialists

  • Modules from other Faculties: You are studying modules from other Faculties that you have not yet studied (e.g. you are deepening your minor subject or studying a completely new area). Before you start studying a module, please note that you must fulfil the formulated requirements for the degree of the module (see module description). If, for example, a module examination can only be graded, you must also complete it with a grade, even though no grade is provided for the individual subsidiary subjects (the grade would then be in the transcript, but would not be included in the final grade).
  • IndiErg modules from other departments: You study one or more special courses for the individual subsidiary subjects from other departments or faculties. The following also applies here: Make sure that you fulfil the formulated requirements for the degree of the module (see module description). If, for example, a module examination can only be graded, you must also complete it with a grade, although no grade is provided for the individual subsidiary subjects (the grade would then be in the transcript, but would not be included in the final grade).
  • Language courses: Language courses as real modules: Language courses are also offered in modularised form (as a rule, a module comprises 5 LP). Make sure that you fulfil the formulated requirements for the degree of the module (see module description). You must study a total of 20 CP in the modularised individual subsidiary subjects. In principle, it is possible to include modules of the same or different languages in the IndiErg (e.g. French B2 and C1 or Turkish A1 and Spanish B2).

Information for the free area:

In the free area, you can choose courses from the university's entire Bachelor's programme. It is important that you choose courses that you have not yet studied.

The other 10 CP may be studied both in modules and as a free combination of individual courses or offerings; in the case of a free combination, there is no performance assessment. However, if the respective course is to appear in the transcript, at least one academic achievement must be completed

FAQs

The individual subsidiary subjects are intended to give students on the bachelor's course the opportunity to develop their own individual profile and self-designed education. For example, students can also deal with issues and methods from other disciplines and familiarise themselves with and understand different perspectives. For this reason, the area can be organised relatively freely and can also be used in part for "study-related courses" (e.g. students and commerce and industry or Europa Intensiv).

So-called "real" modules usually include a module examination that you must pass in order to pass the module. In principle, however, no grades have to be achieved in the IndiErg. Make sure that you fulfil the formulated requirements for the degree of the module (see module description). This means that if, for example, a module examination can only be graded, you must complete it with a grade, even though no grade is provided for the individual subsidiary subjects. The grade would then appear in the transcript, but would not be included in the final grade.

In examination management, there is no separate "IndiErg" under which your services are booked. Therefore, the achievements are recorded in the modules and elements for which they are open. You then allocate your achievements to the IndiErg in the course of the certificate application. Until then, you should keep an eye on which courses you have studied for the IndiErg area.

It is possible to have achievements from a previous degree programme, from practical phases or achievements acquired outside the university recognised for the IndiErg(§13 BPO). Recognition is decided on a case-by-case basis. Please submit a corresponding application to your responsible persons to contact at the Sociology examination office.

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