Dr. Werner Binder Spring 2024
Sociological Diagnoses of Our Times
Course
description
Sociological literature, especially in the writings of the classics, often contains a (more or less
explicit) diagnosis of the present time of the author (for example, Weber’s characterization of
modern capitalism as “iron cage”). In the 20th
century, “time diagnosis” emerged as a specific
sociological genre, exemplified by works such as Beck's "Risk Society", Bauman’s “Liquid
Modernity” or Castell's "Network Society". Time diagnoses offer a sociological interpretation
of contemporary society, often with a critical edge and the potential to reach broader
educated audiences beyond the confines of the discipline. This course focuses on recently
published diagnoses of our times, which we will read and discuss in their entirety, limiting
ourselves to one or two monographs per semester.
This year, two recently published books will be at the center of our attention, Late
Modernity in Crisis and Cannibal Capitalism. Andreas Reckwitz and Hartmut Rosa, arguably the
two most influential sociologists in contemporary Germany, have published together a book
entitled Late Modernity in Crisis (2023). There, both authors not only provide outlines of their
respective theories and diagnoses of contemporary society but also engage in a debate with
each other. While Reckwitz focusses on the social consequences of cultural processes of
“singularization”, Rosa argues that the modern desire to control the world harms our capacity
to experience “resonance”. In the second part of the class, we will discuss Nancy Fraser’s
Cannibal Capitalism, where she develops a contemporary critique of capitalism on social,
political and environmental grounds.
Course
requirements
Regular attendance and participation, eight short response papers, presentation in class or
final essay
ECTS points 5
I (20.2) Organizational Meeting
II (27.2) Reckwitz & Rosa: Theory of Society
Required
Readings
Andreas Reckwitz & Hartmut Rosa: Late Modernity in Crisis: Why We Need a Theory of Society.
Cambridge; Medford: Polity. 1-8.
Reckwitz, Andreas (2023): “The Theory of Society as a Tool”. In: Andreas Reckwitz & Hartmut
Rosa: Late Modernity in Crisis: Why We Need a Theory of Society. Cambridge; Medford:
Polity. 11-26.
Hartmut Rosa (2023): “Best Account: Outlining a Systematic Theory of Modern Society”. In:
Andreas Reckwitz & Rosa Hartmut: Late Modernity in Crisis: Why We Need a Theory of
Society. Cambridge; Medford: Polity. 159-200., 97-113.
Presentations Introduction to both authors and their works (knowledge of German is helpful)
III (5.3) Reckwitz: Social theory and The Practice of Modernity
Required
Reading
Reckwitz, Andreas (2023): “The Theory of Society as a Tool”. In: Andreas Reckwitz & Hartmut
Rosa: Late Modernity in Crisis: Why We Need a Theory of Society. Cambridge; Medford:
Polity. 27-58.
Presentation Reckwitz, Andreas (2002): “Toward a Theory of Social Practices. A Development in Culturalist
Theorizing”. In: European Journal of Social Theory 5(2), 243-265.
IV (12.3.) Reckwitz: Theory of Late Modernity
Required
Reading
Reckwitz, Andreas (2023): “The Theory of Society as a Tool”. In: Andreas Reckwitz & Hartmut
Rosa: Late Modernity in Crisis: Why We Need a Theory of Society. Cambridge; Medford:
Polity. 59-94.
Presentation Reckwitz, Andreas (2021): The End of Illusions. Politics, Economy, and Culture in Late
Modernity. Cambridge; Medford: Polity.
V (19.3.) Rosa: Theory of Modern Society
Required
Reading
Hartmut Rosa: “Best Account: Outlining a Systematic Theory of Modern Society”. In: Andreas
Reckwitz & Rosa Hartmut: Late Modernity in Crisis: Why We Need a Theory of Society.
Cambridge; Medford: Polity. 159-200., 114-157.
Presentation Rosa, Hartmut (2020): The Uncontrollability of the World. Cambridge; New York: Polity.
VI (26.3) Debate: Modernity and Critique
Required
Reading
Reckwitz, Andreas, Hartmut Rosa & Martin Bauer (2023): “Modernity and Critique. A
Conversation with Martin Bauer”. In: Andreas Reckwitz & Hartmut Rosa: Late Modernity in
Crisis: Why We Need a Theory of Society. Cambridge; Medford: Polity. 159-200.
VII (2.4) Reading Week – No Class
Additional
Reading
Alexander, Jeffrey C. (2003/1994): “Modern, Anti, Post, and Neo. How Intellectuals Explain
‘Our Time’”. In: Alexander, Jeffrey C. (ed.), The Meanings of Social Life. A Cultural Sociology.
Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 193-228.
VIII (9.4) Fraser: Cannibal Capitalism I – Capitalism
Required
Reading
Fraser, Nancy (2002): Cannibal Capitalism. How Our System Is Devouring Democracy, Care and
the Planet–and What We Can Do about It. London; New York: Verso, xiii-26.
Presentation Introduction of the author and her work
Appelrouth, Scott A. & Laura Desfor Edles (2012): “Karl Marx (1818-1883)” In: Classical and
Contemporary Sociological Theory. Thousand Oaks: Sage, 20-76.
IX (16.4) Fraser: Cannibal Capitalism II – Racism
Required
Reading
Fraser, Nancy (2002): Cannibal Capitalism. How Our System Is Devouring Democracy, Care and
the Planet–and What We Can Do about It. London; New York: Verso, 27-52.
Presentation Fraser, Nancy & Rahel Jaeggi (2018): Capitalism. A Conversation in Critical Theory. Cambridge;
Medford: Polity.
X (23.4) Fraser: Cannibal Capitalism III – Care
Required
Reading
Fraser, Nancy (2002): Cannibal Capitalism. How Our System Is Devouring Democracy, Care and
the Planet–and What We Can Do about It. London; New York: Verso, 53-74.
Presentation Arruzza, Cinzia, Tithi Bhattacharya & Nancy Fraser (2019): Feminism for the 99%. A Manifesto.
London: Verso.
XI (30.4) Fraser: Cannibal Capitalism IV – Nature
Required
Reading
Fraser, Nancy (2002): Cannibal Capitalism. How Our System Is Devouring Democracy, Care and
the Planet–and What We Can Do about It. London; New York: Verso, 75-113.
Presentation Haraway, Donna J. (2016): Staying with the Trouble. Making Kin in the Chthulucene. Durham:
Duke University Press.
XII (7.5) Fraser: Cannibal Capitalism V – Democracy
Required
Reading
Fraser, Nancy (2002): Cannibal Capitalism. How Our System Is Devouring Democracy, Care and
the Planet–and What We Can Do about It. London; New York: Verso, 115-139.
Presentation Fraser, Nancy (2019): The Old Is Dying and the New Cannot Be Born. From Progressive
Neoliberalism to Trump and Beyond. London: Verso.
XIII (14.5) Fraser: Cannibal Capitalism VI – Socialism
Required
Reading
Fraser, Nancy (2002): Cannibal Capitalism. How Our System Is Devouring Democracy, Care and
the Planet–and What We Can Do about It. London; New York: Verso, 141-157.
Presentation Reviews and criticisms
Requirements
for Passing
the Course
1. Participation in class – 10%
2. Eight response papers – 60% (four in the first half of the semester)
3. Presentation or Final Essay – 30%