300082 Developing Systems Theory (S) (WiSe 2015/2016)

Sociological systems theory is closely linked to Niklas Luhmann’s name and work. As Luhmann himself often declared, however, it is an approach far from any exegetical attitude. Instead of fixed and changeless, the theory is better understood as a set of tools to be applied to investigate social reality, which is, in any case, always different and unpredictable. In developing the analysis of new problems, the theory itself is developed and enriched.
The seminar aims to show the fruitfulness of systems theory for the study of recent sociological issues. Each of the meetings focuses on a specific topic, on the basis of one or more texts by Luhmann and by the instructor. The discussion will highlight the conceptual background and the use of the tools of systems theory in the investigation of the topic.
Participants are free to join the discussion in German or English, according to their preferences. Each meeting will begin with a brief presentation by the instructor of the texts on a given topic, followed by a general discussion. Participants are also invited to prepare an opening presentation for one of the class meetings, contacting the instructor at elena.esposito@unimore.it.

Literatur:

1. Autology and reflexivity
Niklas Luhmann, Die Gesellschaft der Gesellschaft, Frankfurt a.M.: Suhrkamp, 1997, § 1.I, „Die Gesellschaftstheorie der Soziologie“.
Elena Esposito, “The structures of uncertainty. Performativity and unpredictability in economic operations”. Economy & Society, 2013(42): 102-129.

2. Second-order observation
Niklas Luhmann, „Ich sehe das, was Du nicht siehst“, in Ders., Soziologische Aufklärung, Bd. 5, Opladen: Westdeutscher Verlag, 1990, S.228-234.
- Die Kunst der Gesellschaft, Frankfurt a.M.: Suhrkamp, 1995, S.92-112.
Elena Esposito, “Economic Circularities and Second-Order Observation: The Reality of Ratings”. Sociologica, 2/2013, doi: 10.2383/74851.
- Observations on a Conversation: Reply to Commentary. Sociologica, 2/2013, doi: 10.2383/74855.
David Stark, Observing Finance as a Network of Observations. Sociologica, 2/2013, doi: 10.2383/74854.

3. Transformations of the mass media
Niklas Luhmann, Die Realität der Massenmedien, Westdeutscher, Opladen, 1996, Kap.1, 12, 13.
Elena Esposito, “Zwischen Personalisierung und Cloud: Medialität im Web“, in Lorenz Engell, Frank Hartmann und Christiane Voss, Hrsg. Körper des Denkens. Neue Positionen der Medienphilosophie. München: Fink, 2013, S. 231-253.

4. Paradoxes of individuality
Niklas Luhmann, „Individuum, Individualität, Individualismus“, in Gesellschaftsstruktur und Semantik. Studien zur Wissenssoziologie der moder¬nen Gesellschaft, Band 3. Frankfurt a.M.: Suhrkamp, 1989, S.149-258.
Elena Esposito, “Vom Modell zur Mode. Formen und Medien der Nachahmung“. Soziale Systeme, 2003, 9 (1): 88-104.

5. The presence of the future
Niklas Luhmann, “The Future Cannot Begin. Temporal Structures in Modern Society”, Social Research, 43, 1976, pp. 130-152
- Soziologie des Risikos, Berlin-New York: de Gruyter, 1991, Kap. 2, “Zukunft als Risiko”.
Elena Esposito, Die Fiktion der wahrscheinlichen Realität. Frankfurt a.M.: Suhrkamp 2007, Kap. 6, „Gegenwärtige Zukunft und zukünftige Gegenwarten“

6. Communication on the web
Niklas Luhmann, „Kommunikation mit Zettelkästen: Ein Erfahrungsbericht“, in Horst Baier, Hans Matthias Kepplinger und Kurt Reumann (Hrsg.), Öffentliche Meinung und sozialer Wandel: Für Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, Opladen: Westdeutscher, 1981, S. 222-228.
- Soziale Systeme. Grundriß einer alllgemeinen Theorie, Frankfurt a.M.: Suhrkamp, 1984, Kap. 4, „Kommunikation und Handlung“.
Elena Esposito, Artificial Communication. The production of unpredictability in the web. Manuskript.