AØKB08030U Economic Sociology

The course in Economic sociology focuses on sociological theory and social stratification. Economic sociology offers an elaborate view on the societal mechanisms behind social stratification both in relation to the structure of society and issues in relation to individual background and behavior. Societal institutions as well as social background and behavior of the individual within the institutions are important features in the understanding of social stratification.

You get an insight into the core parts of economic sociology that gives a perspective on social structure and behavior and knowledge of the explanations most relevant for the understanding of social stratification.  This goes for individual behavior, behavior of individuals as part of a group including the role of the family as well as firm behavior.

Economic sociology increases your ability to reflect critically on the core mechanisms and institutions behind social stratification, and it increases your knowledge and perspective on social structure, individual and group behavior in relation to social stratification.

The theoretical part is divided into a classical period and a contemporary one.

The classical period was concerned particularly with modernity and its constituent aspects, which are rationalization, secularization, urbanization and the role in relation to social stratification. The specific term "economic sociology" was first coined by William Stanley Jevons in 1879, later to be used in the works of Émile Durkheim, Max Weber and Georg Simmel between 1890 and 1920. Weber's work regarding the relationship between economics and religion and the cultural "disenchantment" of the modern West is perhaps most iconic of the approach set forth in the classic period of economic sociology. Karl Marx’ theories on the structures of the capitalist society are also important in the understanding of social stratification also in societies today.

Contemporary economic sociology includes studies of diversification through different forms of capital (social and cultural) by Bourdieu, the role of modernization and globalization by Giddens. Bech and Baumann, and the role of communication by Habermas.

The economic sociological studies of the market – core in economic theory – is also important in the study of stratification.

The course gives an introduction to classical economic sociology with an emphasis on Weber, Marx, Durkheim and Simmel in order for the student to be familiar with classical theories. This is in order to better understand the content of contemporary economic sociological theories by Bourdieu, Giddens, Baumann Bech and Habermas – all with an emphasis to increase the understanding of the mechanisms behind social stratification.

The social stratification part of the course is based on original work on the role and understanding of class and gender in relation to the structure and consequences of stratification. There will be a focus on methods to measure stratification as well as actual structures in the market including the labor market, in the systems like the educational system and/or the health care system. This part of the course is extended with issues of stratification that are in the forefront of discussions of stratification in contemporary society. Students should make suggestions on this part of the course.