Sociology provides concepts and theories to describe, analyse and explain the emergence, crises, and transformations of modern societies. Classical sociologists like Marx, Weber, Durkheim observed how the rise of capitalism, the modern state, science, and new secular ideologies brought about a new form of society. Political conflicts and social struggles were part of the ‘great transformations’ which characterized the 20th century. Present-day sociologists from Michel Foucault to Pierre Bourdieu and Anthony Giddens are concerned with new challenges: mass surveillance, urban and environmental decay, mass migration, and the populist erosion of democracy.

The aim of the course will be to portray prominent sociologists and apply their ideas to the challenges of our time.