As we go about our lives, we are continuously required to justify our acts. This we can especially see in situations of dispute when we are asked to explain our rationales for making certain choices or having certain preferences. Many situations we find ourselves in and many disagreements we have with others can be explained by our appealing, consciously or not, to different principles. In their seminal work, “On Justification: Economies of Worth”, Luc Boltanski and Laurent Thévenot, French pragmatist sociologists, lay down a theoretical understanding of these principles, or modes of justification, which they call orders of worth.
The book examines a wide range of situations where people justify their actions. In doing so, the authors differentiate between six main logics which our justifications follow, exemplified by six authors: civic (Rousseau), market (Adam Smith), industrial (Saint-Simon), domestic (Bossuet), inspiration (Augustine), and fame (Hobbes). Across a range of situations, the authors show how these different orders of worth conflict as people seek to legitimize their views.
In this course, we will jointly read the book and examine its argument from a theoretical but also pragmatic perspective.
The course will be interactive and students are encouraged to share their ideas, thoughts, experiences and personal views on the issues discussed.
Boltanski, L., & Thévenot, L. (2006). "On Justification: Economies of Worth". Princeton University Press.
Frequency | Weekday | Time | Format / Place | Period | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
weekly | Mo | 14-16 | X-B3-117 | 09.10.2017-02.02.2018
not on: 12/25/17 / 1/1/18 / 1/29/18 |
|
one-time | Mi | 10-12 | - | 10.01.2018 | X-C2-216 |
Module | Course | Requirements | |
---|---|---|---|
25-FS-EM Einführungsmodul | E2: Einführende Veranstaltung aus den Fakultäten | - | Student information |
E3: Einführende Veranstaltung aus den Fakultäten | - | Student information | |
25-FS-GM Grundlagenmodul | E2: Einführende Veranstaltung aus den Fakultäten | - | Student information |
E3: Einführende Veranstaltung aus den Fakultäten | - | Student information | |
30-M22 Fachmodul Soziologische Theorie/ Geschichte der Soziologie I | 1. Vertiefendes Theorieseminar | Study requirement
|
Student information |
2. Vertiefendes Theorieseminar | Study requirement
|
Student information | |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
30-M31 Fachmodul Soziologische Theorie/ Geschichte der Soziologie II (erweitert) | Vertiefendes Theorieseminar 1 | Study requirement
|
Student information |
Vertiefendes Theorieseminar 2 | Study requirement
|
Student information | |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
30-M4_ver1 Soziologische Theorie I | Vertiefendes Theorieseminar | Study requirement
|
Student information |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
30-M9 Soziologische Theorie II (Vertiefung) | Vertiefungsseminar zur soziologischen Theorie I | Study requirement
|
Student information |
Vertiefungsseminar zur soziologischen Theorie II | Study requirement
|
Student information | |
- | Graded examination | Student information |
The binding module descriptions contain further information, including specifications on the "types of assignments" students need to complete. In cases where a module description mentions more than one kind of assignment, the respective member of the teaching staff will decide which task(s) they assign the students.
1) In-class:
- Students are expected to read the assigned chapters for each class before coming to the class. For information: the book has 10 chapters and each is about 10-15 pages. No reading prior to the start of the course is required.
- Active participation in the class.
2) Exam ("aktive Teilnahme"):
- Students are expected to hand in *two* summaries of different chapters from the book by the end of January 2018. Each summary should be in English and should be at least 1.000 words long (which is around 1,5 - 2 pages).
3) Term paper (“Einzelleistung”):
Those who, in addition to 1 and 2, wish to write the paper (“Einzelleistung”) should discuss their ideas with the teacher prior to writing.
This website uses cookies and similar technologies. Some of these are essential to ensure the functionality of the website, while others help us to improve the website and your experience. If you consent, we also use cookies and data to measure your interactions with our website. You can view and withdraw your consent at any time with future effect at our Privacy Policy site. Here you will also find additional information about the cookies and technologies used.