Module 30-M-Soz-M8a Sociology of the Global World a

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

As part 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 of the various approaches and directions of a sociology of the global world.

Students acquire the ability to work on issues of globalisation and world society research. The module enables theoretical reflection and methodically controlled empirical analysis of problems in globalisation and world society research.

The module "Sociology of the Global World" aims to convey a sociological understanding of socialisation and community processes beyond so-called "methodological nationalism". The module offers two approaches to analysing these processes in terms of their social, cultural, territorial and political boundaries:

In the perspective of transnationalization, the focus is on cross-connections of institutions and actors between, below and above nation states. The consequences of the dissolution of boundaries between social environments and social institutions and their significance for the emergence of new formations (e.g. diasporas, global regimes, cross-border networks and social movements), but also for the transformation of existing structures and institutions (e.g. regionalism, statehood, citizenship and governance) are analysed.
From the perspective of world society theory, the patterns of structure formation and potential for conflict resulting from differentiation processes and from the incompatibilities between the various political, legal, economic and other structures of global functional contexts are analysed. Furthermore, the historical background to the development and implementation of specific forms of order, especially in the form of the modern nation state, will be addressed.

On the one hand, the module provides knowledge of the emergence and differentiation of a global society from the perspective of macro sociological and political science approaches and, on the other hand, insights into cross-border interdependencies and formations from a sociological and social anthropological perspective. This is done paradigmatically using examples from global social policy, migration, development, climate change, political and conflict research. Students learn to specify transnational and global social approaches for questions in the aforementioned fields of research and to apply them in independent, empirical analyses.

As part of the module course, students can choose courses from three areas: 1. transnationalization and transnationality; 2. diversity and demarcation; and 3. differentiations in world society. Theoretically and empirically oriented courses are offered in which students acquire basic knowledge in the fields of transnationalization, globalisation and world society. Courses can cover theoretical and conceptual questions of global structures and processes or be dedicated to more specialised issues. Students are recommended to choose courses from one or two of the three areas.

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

Basic knowledge of the literature on globalisation, transnationalization and world society is assumed for students of this module. Introductory books for self-study can be consulted: Thomas Faist, Margit Fauser, Eveline Reisenauer (2013): Transnational Migration. Cambridge: Polity; Bettina Heintz, Richard Münch, Hartmann Tyrell (Hrsg.) (2005): Weltgesellschaft. Stuttgart: Lucius & Lucius.
Basic knowledge of either qualitative or quantitative methods of empirical social research is also required.

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