Advanced Social Theory

Course schedule

Dates Start time End time Location Coordinator registrations
app/max		    
31 August-9 October Wageningen campus Marcella Haan Apply

Course description

This course enables students to select an inspiring theoretical framework for social scientific research. The course consists of lectures and discussion groups on influential approaches and issues in social scientific theorizing. This is an advanced course, typically for highly motivated students who are not afraid for theoretical abstraction and close reading and intensive discussions of key texts in contemporary social theory. The course focusses on original texts from key authors (examples are Bourdieu, Collins, Foucault, Fraser, Said, etc.), which help you to build a strong foundation in social theory. This advanced course is part of the WASS graduate programme aimed at students in the MSc programmes MME, MID, MDR and MCH, amongst others.

General information

Dates: 31 August-9 October
Contact person (logistics): Marcella Haan
Contact person (content): Kees Jansen
Credits: 6 ECTS
Venue: Wageningen Campus

Lecturers

  • Dr.ir. Kees Jansen
  • Dr. Sanneke Kloppenburg
  • Dr.ir. Joost Jongerden

Registration

You can register for this course via Osiris. For PhD candidates: first you need to apply or renew your student enrolment number. Please contact WASS for the application form.

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

  • Distinguish and contrast the main arguments in key texts of important approaches in contemporary social scientific theory
  • Distinguish and contrast the core themes of important approaches and debates in contemporary social scientific theory
  • Assess the differences and similarities between these approaches
  • Appraise a particular social scientific work to these approaches and debates
  • Assess the opportunities and limitations of these approaches for doing research
  • Use concepts and theories of at least two of these approaches to compose research questions for social scientific research

Intensive discussion groups in which students and teachers actively review and discuss key texts in social theory. Students write an assignment in which they show their ability to view a specific social scientific problem from different theoretical perspectives. Furthermore, students read texts, participate in discussions and present reviews of the key texts and defend their essay.

Introduction into social theory, like RSO10306 Sociology and ENP22803 Theories and Themes: Sociology or equivalent courses; Social Science Bachelor. In case of doubt contact the course coordinator

In case of an insufficient grade for an assignment, an improved version can be handed in once. Consult the course coordinator for the re-submission deadlines of insufficiently graded assignments. If again insufficient, a new assignment is required during the next course run.