Sociological diagnoses of our times

Course content

Ulrich Beck once claimed that sociology has three main tasks: 1. Theoretical work with the basic concepts of the discipline. 2. Examination of theories with the help of methodical empirical research. 3. Interpretations of the current situation and diagnoses of the times.

 

This course is about the last task. This task should not simply be understood as a description of the society that we live in. It is rather about diagnosing transformations of the social conditions of our times. It is a narrative of social change, that is, the way our times are different from previous times and in what direction we are heading (tendencies). Such diagnosis is comprehensive in the sense that it aims to grasp social change on both macro, meso and micro level and the relations between those levels. Further, sociological diagnosis of the times is different from the discipline of history in two senses. First, it is limited to changes of modern societies; second, it is focused on the structural changes, i.e. changes that concern the basic institutions of modern societies (e.g. intimate relations, economy, working life, technology and politics). Thus, the field of study of this course can be defined as structural transformations of modernity. In the first part of the course, this meaning of diagnosis of the times will be discussed.

 

In the second part of the course, we will look at different understandings of structural transformation. Classical sociology understood it as the transition from tradition to modernity. Conceptions of differentiation, rationalization, individualization, secularization are examples of that. After WW II, sociologists started to make distinctions within modernity; e.g. liberal and organized capitalism (Habermas), early and late modernity (Giddens), modern and postmodern conditions (Lyotard), first and second modernity (Beck), solid and liquid modernity (Bauman). Today some important contemporary sociologists distinguish between three epochs of the times within modernity; e.g. restricted liberal, organized and extended liberal modernity (Wagner), the three spirits of capitalism (Boltanski and Chiapello), bourgeois, organized and late modernity (Reckwitz). Our focus in this part will be on such a tripartite conception. It will allows us to study the most recent structural transformations and the most recent sociological analyses of our times.

 

The term diagnosis indicates a relationship to medicine. Some sociologist claim that not only persons, but also societies can be understood as sick. Already Durkheim used the term pathology in a sociological context. Critical theorists like Honneth and Rosa see the analysis of “social pathologies” as a crucial part of their diagnoses of the times. Thus, a diagnosis can be used normatively in order to problematize and criticize structural change, but also to work out social “therapies”. This kind of normative use of social diagnosis will comprise the last part of the course.

Education

The course is open to:

  • Exchange and Guest students from abroad
  • Credit students from Danish Universities

 

Full-degree students enrolled at the Faculty of Social Science, UCPH 

  • Bachelor Programmes in Psychology
  • Bachelor and Master Programmes in Anthropology 
  • Master Programme in Social Data Science
  • Master Programme in Global Development


Please contact the study administration at each programme for questions regarding registration.

Learning outcome

On successful completion of the course, the student is able to:

 

Knowledge:

  • Define the general meaning of diagnosis of the times and the role this kind of analysis plays in sociology
  • Identify and distinguish between different conceptions of social transformation and how modern societies have changed over time
  • Account for how this kind of analysis can be used to evaluate and criticize social change

 

Skills:

  • Analyze and evaluate modern social change

 

Competences:

  • To plan and perform research
  • To carry out critical investigations of structural transformations of modern societies and institutions

Lectures, discussions, presentation and discussion of essay ideas, questions and answers (see also box 13)

The main literature will be:

  • Hartmut Rosa Alienation and Acceleration: Towards a Critical Theory of Late Modern Temporality
  • Andreas Reckwitz Society of Singularities
  • Andreas Reckwitz and Hartmut Rosa: Late modernity in crisis

A basic course in social theory is advantageous

Oral

The second hour of each session will be devoted to the discussions of questions on the readings uploaded in advance on Absalon

ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Home assignment
Type of assessment details
The students are required to formulate their own exam questions based on pre-defined guidelines provided by the teacher. Students will receive the exam guidelines for formulating exam questions during the ongoing semester. The teacher is required to provide at least two exemplary exam questions that adhere to the guidelines.

The exam can be written individually or in groups of max. 4 students.
Length of the exam is 10 pages + 5 pages pr. extra group member.
Examination prerequisites

To get qualified to the exam, the students must have completed a classroom presentation.

Aid
All aids allowed

The Department of Sociology prohibits the use of generative AI software and large language models (AI/LLMs), such as ChatGPT, for generating novel and creative content in written exams. However, students may use AI/LLMs to enhance the presentation of their own original work, such as text editing, argument validation, or improving statistical programming code. Students must disclose in an appendix if and how AI/LLMs were used; this appendix will not count toward the page limit of the exam. This policy is in place to ensure that students’ written exams accurately reflect their own knowledge and understanding of the material. All students are required to include an AI declaration in their exam submissions regardless of whether they have used generative AI software or not. This declaration should be placed as the last page of the exam submission. Please note that the AI statement is not included in the calculation of the overall length of your assignment. The template for the AI statement can be found in the Digital Exam system and on the Study Pages on KUnet under “Written exam”. Exams that do not declare if and how AI/LLMs were used will be administratively rejected and counted as one exam attempt.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Exam period

Exam information:

The examination date can be found in the exam schedule   here

The exact time and place will be available in Digital Exam from the middle of the semester. 

 

Re-exam

Reexam info:

The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule   here

 

Same as the ordinary exam.

 

Note!

This is an elective course. We can only guarantee that the exam can be taken during the 3 immediate exam periods after the course has ended.

Criteria for exam assessment

Please see the learning outcome.

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 116
  • Exam Preparation
  • 48
  • English
  • 206

Kursusinformation

Language
English
Course number
ASOB16203U
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Programme level
Bachelor
Bachelor choice
Duration

1 semester

Placement
Autumn
Capacity
Approx. 46 students
Studyboard
Department of Sociology, Study Council
Contracting department
  • Department of Sociology
  • Department of Anthropology
  • Department of Psychology
  • Social Data Science
Contracting faculty
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
  • Mikael Carleheden   (2-5b514e817d713c79833c7279)
Saved on the 09-05-2025

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Courseinformation of students