Back to selection
79687-01 - Colloquium: Historische Soziologie (2 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Matthias Leanza (matthias.leanza@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This research seminar examines major themes and debates in historical sociology, drawing on both classic and recent contributions to the field. This semester, the seminar focuses on an in-depth engagement with the work of Michael Mann, especially his multi-volume study “The Sources of Social Power.” Of central interest is the question of how social power is historically organized and through which processes social orders undergo long-term transformation. Attention will focus on the interplay of ideological, economic, military, and political forms of power, as well as on their respective roles in the emergence of modern societies. Closely connected to these themes are broader questions concerning the relationship between state and society, war and capitalism, core and periphery, and national and imperial forms of political order. The seminar places special emphasis on Mann’s argument that societies are best understood not as bounded totalities but as overlapping and partially autonomous networks of power and social interaction. Against this backdrop, discussions will examine the significance of geopolitical rivalry, colonial expansion, and military conflict for the development of modern statehood and capitalist dynamics. These theoretical perspectives will be examined through selected historical case studies ranging from empires and revolutions to the emergence of modern nation-states. Please note that this is a discussion-based seminar requiring thorough preparation of the assigned readings and active participation in class discussions. |
| Learning objectives | Students will - learn to engage critically with theories and empirical findings in historical-sociological research and to reflect on their relevance for understanding social structures and processes; - deepen their understanding of the intellectual history of the discipline and the development of historical sociology within sociology more broadly; - strengthen their ability to read demanding primary texts, identify central arguments, and discuss them in a nuanced and analytically precise manner; - develop the ability to apply concepts from historical sociology to past and contemporary social phenomena and to assess their analytical potential. |
| Bibliography | Michael Mann (1986–2013). The Sources of Social Power, Vols. 1–4. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Michael Mann (1984). “The Autonomous Power of the State.” European Journal of Sociology 25(2): 185–213. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-täglich | Wednesday | 16.15-20.00 | Soziologie, Übungsraum 210 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 16.09.2026 | 16.15-20.00 | Soziologie, Übungsraum 210 |
| Wednesday 30.09.2026 | 16.15-20.00 | Soziologie, Übungsraum 210 |
| Wednesday 14.10.2026 | 16.15-20.00 | Soziologie, Übungsraum 210 |
| Wednesday 28.10.2026 | 16.15-20.00 | Soziologie, Übungsraum 210 |
| Wednesday 11.11.2026 | 16.15-20.00 | Soziologie, Übungsraum 210 |
| Wednesday 25.11.2026 | 16.15-20.00 | Soziologie, Übungsraum 210 |
| Wednesday 09.12.2026 | 16.15-20.00 | Soziologie, Übungsraum 210 |
| Modules |
Doktorat Soziologie: Empfehlungen (PhD subject: Sociology) Modul: Soziologische Theorie MA (Master's degree subject: Sociology (Start of studies before 01.08.2026)) Modul: Transfer: Europa interdisziplinär (Master's degree program: European History in Global Perspective) Modul: Ungleichheit, Konflikt, Kultur (Master's degree subject: Sociology (Start of studies before 01.08.2026)) Module: Global Modernity and Difference (Master's degree program: Changing Societies) Module: Methods (Master's degree subject: Sociology) Module: Societal Conflicts: Inequality, Institutions, Discourse (Master's degree subject: Sociology) Wahlbereich Master Geschichte: Empfehlungen (Master's degree subject: History) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Soziologie |