Sociology is the science that studies general social phenomena. Its wide focus ranges from elementary social relationships such as those of couples via groups, large communities, and organizations up to the social structures and processes of society worldwide. Sociology is a pluralistic discipline encompassing intensive theoretical and methodological debates including a vast diversity of special fields and dimensions. The Institute of Sociology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz provides high level teaching of social micro and macro theories linked to quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Most prominently among the Institute of Sociologyâs special fields figure the analysis of social structures, the investigation of inequality, the economic, organizational and individual dimensions of sociology and their impact on private lives, gender studies, the sociological basis and determinants of modern knowledge and media as well as research in education at all levels including universities.