LFU:online

Through independent self-study students acquire a deeper understanding of the relations between theory and empirical, qualitative research in the field of cultural sociology and in the field of specialization covered in the course.

Contemporary socieities are changing rapidly due to technological and political transformations. But cultural values and the way individuals negotiate them today change too. These spheres are interrelated and their interactions can be observed in a number of important domains. This seminar introduces the topics of cultural consumption and production, aesthetic taste, music, contemporary media, and sociology of architecture, in order to identify and explain some key features of late modern urban life. Methodologically, it offers a range of interpretive frameworks rooted in hermeneutics and contemporary material culture studies. Theoretically, it is based on a series of new cutting edge British and American conceptions of meaning-making and cultural practices.    

Student presentations based on assigned literature, followed by group discussion.

3 components: (1) quality of presentation, (2) participation in discussion, (3) final response paper

1.       The Sage Handbook of Cultural Sociology, ed. David Inglis, London, 2016

2.       The Meanings of Social Life, by Jeffrey Alexander, Oxford, 2003

3.       Iconic Power: Materiality and Meaning in Social Life, ed. Alexander & Bartmanski, Palgrave, 2012

positive completion of the compulsory module according to § 5 Para 1 No 9