LFU:online

Curr. § 5 Para 2 No 2:

Students acquire the ability to discuss and illustrate the development and transformation of social institutions, markets, state and other central institutions. They are able to apply theo-ries and analysis methods to selected social scientific discussions and issues

After periods of economic growth the last decades have seen substantial economic and social tensions, leading to enormous crises with various regional characteristics. The almost-collapse of the Greek economy, the dominance of European austerity politics, the re-nationalisation tendencies in relation to the so-called refugee crisis, as well as the election of authoritarian governments worldwide are some of the manifestations of increasing social and economic struggles. The increasing widening of the influence of markets, accompanied by rising social inequality is met by various forms of resistance and ideological polarisation.

Starting with the theoretical perspectives of Karl Polanyi and Nancy Fraser in this seminar we analyse concrete case studies in order to understand the relationship between commodification on the one hand and the reassertion of communities on the other. Focusing on diverse cultural, political and geographical contexts should enable us to understand the variations of the consequences of global capitalism and related social and political responses.

Short introductory lectures and discussion of the literature. Students choose various case studies and prepare and lead related sessions and exercises. 

Analysis and preparation of the texts, design of the group-led sessions and exercises, presentations and final paper.

Karner, C & Weicht, B (eds.) (2016), The Commonalities of Global Crises: Markets, Communities and Nostalgia, Palgrave Macmillan.

 Additional literature will be announced in the seminar.

positive completion of the compulsory module according to § 5 Para 1 No 8.