220125 Modernity/Modernities: Theories and Concepts (S) (WiSe

2015/2016)
Department
Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology / Department of History
Type(s) / SWS (hours per week per semester)
S/1
Period
19.10.2015-12.02.2016
Expected Repetition
Language
This lecture is taught in english

Teaching staff
Frau Dr. Bettina Brandt
Click on the name to obtain contact details such as the email address.

Dates (Calendar view )

Frequency

Weekday

Time

Place

Period

Examinations
None found

Subject assignments
Degree
programme/academic Validity
programme

Variant

Bielefeld Graduate
School In History And
Sociology

Subdivision Status Semester LP

Theory and
Methods
Classes

0.5 Theory Class. Can be

credited for Stream A
as 1 from 2 necessary
SWS.

General requirements for courses:

The requirement for active participation (only applicable to Studienmodell 2002) is described here. The subject-specific
regulations and module manuals contain information as to whether performances (only applicable to Studies model
2011)/individual performances/(part) module examinations are expected and which requirements do exist.

Contents, comment
"Modernity" is a key concept in history and sociology. Particularly in the second half of the 20th century, history and social
sciences converge in theories of modernization as frameworks for describing long-term structural transformations from
traditional to industrial societies, and for explaining the specific conditions and traits of societies in the 19th and 20th
century. Over the last thirty years, postmodern theory, cultural and postcolonial studies have historicized the programmatic
and normative gestures of the concept, and criticized the Eurocentric model of linear progress that legitimized the idea of
cultural superiority and political hegemony of the West over the rest of the world. In addition to the understanding of
modernity as a cultural concept, other approaches reformulate it in terms of pluralization or diversification (multiple
modernities, Eisenstadt; varieties of modernity), or in terms of a second, "reflexive" modernity (Beck) in a globalizing world.
In the seminar, we will read and discuss classical and recent conceptions of modernity in history and sociology. We will both
critically examine their analytical potential and approach a conceptual history by situating them in their historical contexts.
The language in the seminar and of most of the reading is English. However, a few texts will be in German, too. Participants
are invited to discuss the topic from the perspective of their dissertation projects.
An introductory meeting will take place on Thursday, October 29th, 2 3 pm, X B2. The following sessions will be held as a
two-day workshop, taking place on Thursday, November 26th, 10 am 1 pm & 2 4 pm, and Friday, November 27th, 10
am 1 pm & 2 4 pm.

Bibliography

Bhambra, Gurminder K., Modernity: History of the Concept, in: Neil J. Smelser (ed.), International Encyclopedia of the
Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edition, vol. 15, Amsterdam 2015, 692-696; Klinger, Cornelia,
Modern/Moderne/Modernismus, in: sthetische Grundbegriffe, Bd. 4, Stuttgart und Weimar 2002, 121-167; Lorenz, Chris,
Wont you tell me where have all the good times gone? On the advantages and disadvantages of modernization theory for
history, in: Q. Edward Wang and Franz L. Fillafer (eds.), The Many Faces of Clio: Cross-cultural Approaches to
Historiography, New York and Oxford 2007, 104-127; Nolte, Paul, Modernization and Modernity in History, in: Neil J. Smelser
(ed.), International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edition, vol. 15, Amsterdam 2015, 700-706.

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Changes to/updates of the course details

Last update basic details/teaching staff :

Friday, December 11, 2015
Last update times :
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Last update rooms :
Wednesday, October 28, 2015

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