Comparative politics and comparative democracy studies are core components of political science and not least due to current challenges such as the rise of populism and nationalism, extremism, disenchantment with politics and various structural socio-economic challenges (e.g. globalisation, deindustrialisation, technological change) are topical, relevant and exciting. In this area, the Master programme offers a comprehensive range of courses that teach theoretical, analytical, methodological and empirical skills in a pluralistic and structured manner.

 The degree program aims at four main goals:

• To enable you to gain an in-depth understanding of the conceptual, behavioral, institutional, and structural bases of modern democracy in light of contextual prerequisites and challenges.
• To provide the theoretical, analytical, and methodological skills to successfully conduct relevant empirical research on problems of contemporary democracy.
• To prepare you to successfully pursue a career in academic research or in research-oriented positions in governmental or non-governmental organizations.
• To facilitate academic research and co-operation in an international environment

The curriculum of the Master program evolves on the basis of nine intertwined modules. With these modules, the program aims to advance cumulative learning. Furthermore, it aims to blend training in basic research skills with problem-oriented perspectives on the issue of democratic governance. With its problem-oriented approach the program aims to further an active and creative learning environment that helps students to develop an open minded and critical approach to academic learning and democracy as the program’s main subject.

The introductory phase of the program (Modules A, B, C) provide you with a broad Master-level introduction to the study of comparative democracy. It equips you with the theoretical, methodological, and practical skills to analyze politics and lays the foundation for your entire study program. We strive to facilitate close contact between you and your teachers in order to closely supervise your academic development during this phase of your studies.

The three mandatory modules D1, D2, D3 are designed to study key topics that evolve from comparative research on democracy. The three modules cover comparative democracy research from a sociological, institutional, and policy perspective. All modules stress cross-national but also longitudinal comparisons as a means to explore core issues in democratic governance. The organizational logic of the modules follows the ‘policy cycle’ from citizens (their preferences, norms, values, behavior, culture, etc.) via interest aggregation and representation (for example through parties, unions, employers, lobby groups, etc.) to the output side of public policy-making (covering crucial areas such as welfare states, varieties of capitalism, patterns of inequalities, etc.) as well as the policies’ impact back citizens.

Students thus receive and are equipped both with a broad overview as well as with detailed insights into the political processes of “comparative democracy”. 

Gaining practical experience in an internship
With module E1: „Internship“ we enable you to gain first insights into later professional fields. The internship can be completed e.g. in public institutions, associations, non-governmental organizations or private companies - also abroad. In order to share your experiences with your fellow students, the internship concludes with a study day. Here you have the opportunity to talk about your experiences and possible career prospects. 

Independent research through research internship
A special feature of the Master Comparative Democracy is the integration of research-based learning in Module E2: „Practicing Research on Democracy: Research Seminar“. Here you learn to apply methods of empirical social research in practice under professional guidance, to make independent decisions in developing your own research design and to present and defend your results appropriately. 

Internationally connected
The Master programme Comparative Democracy is - like political science in general - internationally oriented. We offer a large number of courses in English and you have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at one of the faculty’s more than 80 partner universities worldwide. Therefor you can take advantage of the extensive Erasmus+ programme offered by the Department of International Relations at the Faculty of Social Sciences as well as numerous university-wide exchange opportunities of Goethe University. It is also possible to do the internship module abroad. The department offers a flexible recognition procedure with the so-called „application for prior recognition of academic achievements taken abroad“ as well as study counselling.

Information from the department
Study regulations

Master of Arts in Comparative Democracy

The standard length of study for the Master of Arts is 4 semesters. 

English

The study programme starts at the beginning of the winter semester. 

Alexander Simon
Email: studienfachberatung.fb03@soz.uni-frankfurt.de

Please find office hours and further information on student advising at the Department of Social Sciences here.

• if you are not already enrolled at Goethe-University Frankfurt:
  a university entrance qualification (e.g. A-Levels)
• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• if the Bachelor’s degree has not yet been completed:
  a transcript of records or equivalent document listing the content of the study programme and average grade
• certificate of English language skills
• letter of motivation
• original APS certificate for applicants from India, Vietnam and China (original)

01.05. - 15.06.