300044 Structural conditions and consequences of individual behaviour (englisch) (Ü) (WiSe 2011/2012)

The seminar puts its first focus on (1) the consequences of structuring processes in society for the cognitive and behavioural patterns of individuals. A second focus is on (2) the consequences of individual behaviour for the structural conditions of society. By means of a cross-sectional perspective the named processes are described, thereby relying on selected examples such as partner choice and divorce, fertility, social relations, educational chances, individual career paths and social inequality. We also observe structuring processes of individual life courses and biographies from a historical perspective. Joining both perspectives allows us to understand the significance of social and institutional structures in modern societies for individual behaviour and to define social change as a consequence of changing biographic constructions as well as individual decision and action patterns.

The seminar is structured as a workshop. On the one hand, students read theoretical and empirical texts and discuss the contents. On the other hand, students will have the opportunity to learn and practice statistical data analysis with Stata. Exercises related to the topics of this seminar and to ALLBUS and SOEP data will be conducted during the seminar in a tutorial manner. Therefore, basic knowledge of Stata and statistical methods will be very useful.