Sociology at the University of Basel is characterized by a differentiated education in theory (cultural theory, social philosophy, anthropology, political theory) and a practice-oriented overview of research methods, including quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as historical and critical approaches to the theory and philosophy of knowledge.

The key areas addressed in the Sociological Theory module are social theory, power and domination, anthropology and evolution, and interdisciplinary theory formation at the interface between sociology, social philosophy and cultural studies. In addition, the Inequality, Conflict and Culture module brings together the research interests currently being pursued in the Department of Sociology, with a focus on the topics of poverty and exclusion, war and violence, migration, economic practices and discourses, religion, and other phenomena of contemporary society that are of relevance for elaborating a diagnosis of our times.

History

The roots of sociology in Basel can be traced back to the beginning of the 20^th century, when Roberto Michels laid its foundations. He was appointed to the University of Basel in 1914 as a statistician and political scientist and was the first to address sociological topics. However, it was not until 1959 that the first Chair of Sociology was created, which was initially held by Heinrich Popitz. After he left for the University of Freiburg im Breisgau in 1964, the chair in Basel remained vacant for four years.

In 1968, the university established the Department of Sociology and appointed Paul Trappe as the first head of the department. He continued to work in the department until 2002, specializing in economic, development and legal sociology. Following his retirement, an interim solution was put in place. Then, in 2005, the department began to expand, leading to a striking increase in student numbers.

The most recent phase in the life of the department was marked by Professors Urs Stäheli, Max Manfred Bergman and Ueli Mäder, along with their teams. In 2009, Professor Elísio Macamo joined the department as head of the Center for African Studies. After Prof. Dr. Urs Stäheli moved to the University of Hamburg in 2009, Prof. Dr. Axel Paul was appointed to take his place in 2010. In 2015, Assistant Professor Dr. Bilgin Ayata rounded out the team. Following the retirement of Prof. Dr. Ueli Mäder, Prof. Oliver Nachtwey took his place in 2017.