250209 Social Cohesion Otherwise: Minority Perspectives on Social Cohesion (S) (WiSe 2025/2026)

Going beyond a philosophical and moral ideal, social cohesion is a highly political and applied concept that various actors intervene in its formulation. The lecture provides an overview of the historical and theoretical foundation of the concept while tracing its evolution across disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and political science. Students will explore how the operationalisation of social cohesion intersects with timely issues, such as diversity, migration, and minority groups. Through the lecture, students will gain an understanding of the core aspects and measurements of social cohesion and an ability to compare and critique different schools of thought.
The intended learning objectives:
Analysing the theoretical underpinnings of social cohesion.
Engaging critically with debates and critiques surrounding social cohesion.
Comparing different conceptualisation and operationalisation of social cohesion

Requirements for participation, required level

Master of Arts: Voraussetzung ist die Einschreibung im Master of Arts Erziehungswissenschaft im WiSe 2025/26
Master of Education: Voraussetzung ist die Einschreibung im Master of Education UFP im WiSe 2025/26

Bibliography

Bernard, P. (1999). Social Cohesion: A Critique. Canadian Policy Research Networks.

Chan, J., To, H. P., & Chan, E. (2006). Reconsidering social cohesion: Developing a definition and analytical framework for empirical research. Social indicators research, 75, 273-302.

Dragolov, G., Zsófia S. I., Lorenz, J., Delhey, J. & Boehnke K. (2013). Social Cohesion Radar: An International Comparison of Social Cohesion. Gütersloh: Bertelsmann Stiftung

Green, A., Janmaat, J. G., & Cheng, H. (2009). Regimes of social cohesion-LLAKES Research Paper No. 1. London: Centre for Learning and Life Chances in Knowledge Economies and Societies, Institute of Education.

Hogg, M. A (1993). The Social Psychology of Group Cohesiveness: From Attraction to Social Identity. Harvester Wheatsheaf.

Meer, T. van der, & Tolsma J. (2014). Ethnic Diversity and Its Effects on Social Cohesion. Annual Review of Sociology, 40 (1): 459–78. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-071913-043309.

Putnam, R. D. (2007). E Pluribus Unum: Diversity and Community in the Twenty-first Century the 2006 Johan Skytte Prize Lecture. Scandinavian Political Studies, 30 (2): 137–74.

Zapata-Barrero, R. (2021). “Cohesion: Beyond the Diversity Threatening Hypothesis”. In R. Zapata-Barrero, D. Jacobs, and R. Kastoryano (eds.), Contested Concepts in Migration Studies, 45–60. Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003119333-4.