LFU:online

Curr. 2021 § 6 (2) 6: Students have knowledge in comprehension-oriented (interpretative) and explanation-oriented (nomological) sociological action theories. They are able to describe and analyse the relationship between action and structure, individual action creativity and action contexts. 

Can people act freely? To what extent do structures and institutions limit or enable individual agency? Who can actually (not) act?

These and other questions about agency and the ability to act have always played a major role in the social and political context as well as for sociology. What are the possibilities and limitations of invidual agency is a question that is strongly related to the underlying concept of actors. For sociology, these are fundamental theoretical questions, but also methodological ones.

In this seminar we illuminate different perspectives on the relationship between (individual) action and the underlying structures. On the basis of current topics and questions we examine different theoretical positionings on this field of tension.

Literature review and reflection; oral and written exercises; group work

Excerpts, presentations, reflection paper

see lecture

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