220125 Modernity/Modernities: Theories and Concepts (S) (WiSe 2015/2016)

"Modernity" is a key concept in history and sociology. Particularly in the second half of the 20th century, history and social sciences converge in theories of modernization as frameworks for describing long-term structural transformations from traditional to industrial societies, and for explaining the specific conditions and traits of societies in the 19th and 20th century. Over the last thirty years, postmodern theory, cultural and postcolonial studies have historicized the programmatic and normative gestures of the concept, and criticized the Eurocentric model of linear progress that legitimized the idea of cultural superiority and political hegemony of the West over the rest of the world. In addition to the understanding of modernity as a cultural concept, other approaches reformulate it in terms of pluralization or diversification (multiple modernities, Eisenstadt; varieties of modernity), or in terms of a second, "reflexive" modernity (Beck) in a globalizing world.

In the seminar, we will read and discuss classical and recent conceptions of modernity in history and sociology. We will both critically examine their analytical potential and approach a conceptual history by situating them in their historical contexts.

The language in the seminar and of most of the reading is English. However, a few texts will be in German, too. Participants are invited to discuss the topic from the perspective of their dissertation projects.

An introductory meeting will take place on Thursday, October 29th, 2 – 3 pm, X B2. The following sessions will be held as a two-day workshop, taking place on Thursday, November 26th, 10 am – 1 pm & 2 – 4 pm, and Friday, November 27th, 10 am – 1 pm & 2 – 4 pm.

Bibliography

Bhambra, Gurminder K., Modernity: History of the Concept, in: Neil J. Smelser (ed.), International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edition, vol. 15, Amsterdam 2015, 692-696; Klinger, Cornelia, Modern/Moderne/Modernismus, in: Ästhetische Grundbegriffe, Bd. 4, Stuttgart und Weimar 2002, 121-167; Lorenz, Chris, Won’t you tell me where have all the good times gone? On the advantages and disadvantages of modernization theory for history, in: Q. Edward Wang and Franz L. Fillafer (eds.), The Many Faces of Clio: Cross-cultural Approaches to Historiography, New York and Oxford 2007, 104-127; Nolte, Paul, Modernization and Modernity in History, in: Neil J. Smelser (ed.), International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edition, vol. 15, Amsterdam 2015, 700-706.