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Socio-Economics

Socio-Economics at WU

Why study socio-economics?

Today’s world is characterized by rapid changes in all areas of society and a growing level of globalization. Technical knowledge is often no longer sufficient, problem solving skills are required, and general qualifications are more valuable than ever. These are important prerequisites for flexibility, i.e. the ability to learn quickly and adapt to new, often unpredictable demands. The major in Economics and Socio-Economics is the answer to these challenges.

Professional perspectives

Graduates find professional opportunities wherever strategic decision making skills and the management of complex processes in organizations are required, particularly in large companies or in consulting professions. There is also an increasing demand for economists with solid general training in public and non-profit organizations, for example in journalism, social services or continuing education and consultation in the fields of politics, culture or the environment.

Program contents and qualification profile

The objective of the program is to develop the ability to understand and influence economic and social connections. Students gain knowledge and skills in a broad spectrum of topics, including economics, history, law, politics and communication theory. Social science theories provide various possibilities for observing and explaining social realities. Various issues are dealt with on a project basis and from a research perspective, and students have the opportunity to analyze current social and economic developments. In this way, the major provides students with the necessary qualifications for any profession in which economic and socio-economic decisions are planned, prepared and evaluated. To further foster these skills, course contents place emphasis on a solid general education in addition to information and theoretical training. Student have the opportunity to apply their skills in internships and to investigate the relationships between economics and society and the dynamics of social systems (like groups and organizations).

Program details

The Economics and Socio-Economics major takes 8 semesters to complete and consists of a total of 125 weekly credit hours. The first year of the program, or Introductory Phase, makes up 34 of these credit hours. This phase of the program is practically identical for all WU majors, and is intended to provide students with the basic skills and knowledge they will need before continuing in their chosen major.
In Phase II of the program (6 semesters), the remaining credit hours are divided up between compulsory courses (63 hours) and electives and advanced subjects (28 hours). I
n this phase, students who choose to specialize in socio-economics will complete a number of special modules, including subjects such as Organization and System Development or Economics and Society.
A research internship and integrated project-based coursework help students learn to apply the skills they have learned. Further specialization is also possible through the selection of interdisciplinary and free electives. Students must then prepare a Bachelor’s thesis to complete the degree program.

Objectives

  • Learning to grasp complex economic and social situations and relationships
  • Supporting social skills: Recognizing social processes in groups and organizations and developing adequate communication patterns to suit individual situations
  • Recognizing and understanding the context behind social problems and learning how to react flexibly to new challenges in the fields of economics, politics and the environment.
  • Applying scientific methods to quantitative and qualitative data assessment in order to better understand complex situations