300120 Comparative analyses of the life course (S) (WiSe 2010/2011)

The study of life courses is one the most rapidly growing areas of research in the social sciences. Life courses are seen as important outcomes and in the same time as indicators of major changes in advanced societies. In the same time they indicate important between-country differences with respect to institutionalized patterns of life and of life chances.The seminar reviews theoretical foundations of this research agenda as well as available methods. Moreover, paradigmatic examples of empirical research in this field are discussed.

Teilnahmevoraussetzungen, notwendige Vorkenntnisse

Participants are encouraged to present and discuss in English. However, you may switch between English and German if necessary. I would be pleased if as many students as possible will have the heart to try it out.
The written paper for individual accomplishment can be in English or German. However, the presentation has to be done in English language

Literaturangaben

Mayer, K. U. (2005). “Life Courses and Life Chances in a Comparative Perspective.” In S. Svallfors (Ed.), Analyzing Inequality: Life Chances and Social Mobility in Comparative Perspective (pp. 17-55). Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press.
Mayer, K. U. and Diewald, M. (2007). “Die Institutionalisierung von Lebensläufen,” In J. Brandtstädter & U. Lindenberger (eds.), Entwicklungspsychologie der Lebensspanne. Ein Lehrbuch, (pp. 510-539). Stuttgart: Kohlhammer.