300150 Field Theory (MA: Soziologische Theorie) (S) (WiSe 2019/2020)

What do we understand by the term field and field theory? Where does the concept of field come from, what do sociologists mean by it, and, what do we use it for? How do different variants of field theory inform our thinking and understanding of social positions, inequalities, power, capital, resources, institutions, rules, meanings, and identities? How are fields different from worlds, markets, ecologies, systems, industries, and networks? How do fields vary and how do they change? Finally, how can “thinking in fields” help us theorize the social phenomena we are interested in?

To address these and related questions, in this course we will discuss seminal works which have made use of or have contributed to the development of field theory in sociology, but also in social sciences more generally. In addition to this, we will talk about how the concept of field can be of help to us in researching social phenomena we are interested in.

Literaturangaben

The course literature, together with the complete syllabus, will be made available at the start of the semester.