Module 30-M-Soz-M5a Political Sociology a

Non-official translation of the module descriptions. Only the German version is legally binding.

Within the framework of the general competence concept for the MA in Sociology (see https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/soziologie/studium/master/pdf/Kompetenzkonzept_Masterstudiengaenge.pdf), students acquire basic theoretical and empirical knowledge based on the latest findings in political sociology.

Students acquire the ability to deal with issues in political sociology. The module enables students to reflect theoretically and analyse problems in political sociology in a methodically controlled empirical manner.

Political sociology deals with the functioning and structure of the political system, with changes in participation, citizen roles and statehood under the pressure of denationalisation, with 'new' forms of governance, with the effects of public policies as well as with political communication and the corresponding observation conditions. In particular, political sociology is concerned with analysing and classifying the functioning, structure and dynamics of the political system in terms of social theory and focusing on the relationships between politics and society.

Accordingly, the seminars in the module deal with basic theoretical questions of the sociological analysis of politics as well as with current topics and fields of research in political sociology. Accordingly, they can be more theoretical or empirical in orientation. Three thematic areas are distinguished:

a.) Political Communication and Observation, b.) Global Governance and Public Policy and c.) Citizenship, Participation and Democracy.

Courses on political communication and observation (area a) focus on the diverse forms of political communication in modern society. Political communication is not limited to the media-effective external presentation and communication of politics, but also includes the preparation and production of collectively binding decisions. Insofar as it is exposed to public observation, political communication adapts to this being observed and changes as a result - and not only in the course of its media-effective self-presentation. Politics observes itself in the medium of public opinion, which in turn is represented by the mass media. The courses deal with both the production and presentation of political decisions by political organisations and their public observation in the mass media. In addition to classic subjects of political sociology, such as political parties, administration and social movements, the focus is on the forms and consequences of political communication beyond the nation state.

Courses on Global Governance and Public Policy (area b) deal with the global dimension of politics and the transformation of institutional arrangements in the global social context. Here, questions of the transformation of public policy in welfare state, economic and environmental policy or infrastructural arenas are dealt with. This involves changes in the modes of control and coordination and communication in the political system as well as the types of self-regulation of social subsystems. The importance of private authorities, public-private partnerships, expert networks and non-governmental organisations in the context of global governance will be analysed. The dynamics within multi-level governance structures are included. The changes in organisational arrangements, modes of governance and policy content are also examined in a transnational and transregional comparison.

Courses on citizenship, participation and democracy (area c) deal with theoretical and empirical concepts of citizenship, participation and democracy. In essence, the relationship between citizens and the form of political rule is thematised. From a transnational comparative perspective, the focus is on models of democracy and citizenship and on explaining the transformation of autocratic and democratic rule and political culture. Questions of elite selection, willingness to participate, education and deliberation are raised. The module thus also addresses approaches to citizenship education in relation to the normative criteria that arise from concepts of democracy and education theory.

Students of the module are recommended to take two seminars from the three focus areas (Political Communication and Observation, Global Governance and Public Policy or Citizenship, Participation and Democracy).

The module programme is always completed with a written assignment. This always takes the form of a term paper.

Basic knowledge of political sociology at the level of introductory literature is generally assumed for students of this module. See for example:
Kaina, Viktoria / Römmele, Andrea 2009: Politische Soziologie. Ein Studienbuch. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften
Luhmann, Niklas (2010): Politische Soziologie, Frankfurt/Main: Suhrkamp

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