This research area reflects and analyses norms and boundaries, as well as the possibilities and limitations of normativity. The research focuses on ethical issues relating to human social attitudes. The issues studied in this profile area are relevant to all faculties and most departments, and are particularly important in the fields of criminology, history of religions, law, philosophy, and political science. The research area is characterised by norm-critical perspectives, especially at the Gender Academy, which gathers researchers from most of the associated fields, including business administration, criminology, economic history, human geography, political science, social work, and sociology. The profile area also covers issues relating to human rights.