Anyone facing the task of shedding light on the history of the Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology (ISS) at the University of Cologne has a great deal of work to do. The Institute is the first academic institution in Germany that dedicates itself exclusively to the social sciences and to sociology in one of three departments. The panel discussion on the 100th anniversary of the Institute not only dealt with the past, but also with the future of sociology.
Under the title "Kölner Schule(n) und die Zukunft der Soziologie" ("Cologne School(s) and the Future of Sociology"),
- Dr. Nicole Hiekel (ISS),
- Prof. Dr. Clemens Kroneberg (ISS),
- Prof. em. Dr. Dr. h.c. Renate Mayntz (Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies),
- Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Müller (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; board member of the German Sociological Association) and
- Dr. Eckard Kämper (Programme Director of the German Research Foundation)
discussed the following topics: Is there a Cologne School of Sociology and which traditions have been preserved? How does sociology react to current social challenges? What about the professionalization of sociology and its media presence?
In addition, the numerous guests of the anniversary celebration "100 Years of Sociology in Cologne" had enough time to celebrate the long-standing existence of sociological research and teaching in Cologne. The welcoming speeches were held by Prof. Dr. Michael Wagner, head of the research project "100 Years of Sociology in Cologne" and the Dean of the Faculty of Management, Economics and the Social Sciences, Prof. Ulrich Thonemann, PhD. After the podium event, a poster exhibition provided an in-depth insight into the history of the ISS. A collection of interviews and film excerpts impressively showed the great social impact that Cologne's sociology has had in the course of its history.
Those who want to convince themselves of the topicality and diversity of the research topics of the ISS have the opportunity to do so not least at the lecture series “Understanding Society - Current Research from the Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology”. The next lecture in the series will be given on Wednesday, 30 October 2019 (18:00-19:30) by ISS Professor Marita Jacob, who will speak on "Social Inequality and Educational Opportunities". Participation is free of charge.
