COMPARATIVE SOCIOLOGY
COMPARATIVE SOCIOLOGY
Timetable
Week 14 Introduction to the module
Week 15 Different forms of capitalism, different forms of society
Week 16 Theories of Macro Cultural Differences
Week 17 Clash Of Cultures?
Week 18 Comparing welfare systems
Week 19 Comparing health systems
Week 20 Case Study: Comparative gender inequality
Week 21 Case Study: Comparative citizenship
Week 22 Case Study: Comparative education
Week 23 Essay Preparation
Week 24 Essay Submission
Module Content
This module major topics and areas of debate in comparative social studies through the study of classical theoretical contributions and more recent empirical research, with particular reference to contemporary industrial societies. It uses case studies of different issues such as welfare and citizenship to explore different theoretical positions.
There are no specific recommended texts that cover the content of this module. But you might want to look at these in particular.
Sanderson SK (2000) Sociological worlds, comparative and historical readings on society, London, Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers
Przeworski A and Teune H (1970) The logic of comparative social inquiry Chichester, Wiley-Interscience
Method of Learning and Teaching:
The lectures will be divided into 2 parts. The first will cover the core course material, delivered in a standard lecture format. The second will vary from week to week, but will include case study material, presentations and group debates. It is essential that you have done the reading before you attend the class. You should read at least 2 articles, the key reading and one from the secondary reading list. The key reading has often been chosen to interest you in the topic under consideration. It will not give you an overview of that week's topic. Overviews are more likely to be found in general textbooks rather than journal articles or monographs.
The reading list is quite long, but this is to make sure that there is always something available in the library for you to read. You are not expected to read all of the secondary reading, but the more you read the more you make will progress on this module and in sociology in general. You will need to read more than 2 articles to be able to write the essay. The secondary reading list also allows you to choose particular articles that may be of interest to you. Many of the articles listed are relevant in more than one week. However do not feel constrained by the reading list. You may find items not on the list that may be useful to you.
¨ Get into the habit of noticing what books are housed under the same catalogue number in the library as the one you are looking for
¨ Get into the habit of following up references in the texts you are reading- they might be more interesting that the ones on the list
¨ Notice the name of the journals you turn to. Read the titles and/or abstracts of the volume you are looking at and follow your own interests.
Tutorials
The tutorials are fortnightly. Your timetable should indicate which group you are in.
Module Learning Outcomes:
a) Knowledge and Understanding: students will
· Have learned about theoretical frameworks to understand differences between societies
· Be able to compare social processes across national boundaries
· Understand the relationship between political and social change
· Have explored comparative studies
b) Intellectual skills: students will be able to
· reflect critically upon the various theoretical approaches to the study of societies
· create linkages between theories and case studies,
c) Professional/Subject Specific Skills: students will have gained an ability to
· read and understand sociological texts
· use theory to help understand the variety of capitalist societies
· be familiar with case studies and events portrayed in the media
d) Transferable skills
· Gathering, organisation and deployment of information and evidence
· Communicate their ideas in a coherent and sensible form
· Developing fluent and effective analytical writing skills
5. Method & Type of Assessment:
The assessment is via an essay of between 1,750 and 2,000 words (100%) to be submitted on Friday of week 24.
The essay questions will be made available later in the module.
Week 14 Introduction to the Module
This week gives a brief overview of the module and discusses the relevance and methodology of comparative sociology. There is no required reading this week but you may like to follow up the discussion by looking at the following texts.
Lipset, S M Marks G (2000), It Didn’t Happen Here: Why Socialism Failed in the United States, New York: Norton
Tilly, C, (1990) Big structures, large processes, huge comparisons, Russell Sage Foundation
Sanderson SK (2000) Sociological worlds, comparative and historical readings on society, London, Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers
Przeworski A and Teune H (1970) The logic of comparative social inquiry Chichester, Wiley-Interscience,
Week 15 Different forms of capitalism, different forms of society
This week considers how and why capitalism is different and the implications that has for different societies. It focuses particularly on the US and Germany to illustrate theses points.
Key Reading
Lane C. (2000) Globalization and the German model of capitalism – erosion or survival? British Journal of Sociology, Volume 51, Number 2, pp. 207-234
Pick one of these to read
Albert, M (1993) Capitalism against capitalism London, Whurr chapter 10
Berberoglu, B (2003) Globalization of capital and the nation-state, imperialism, class struggle, and the state in the age of global capitalism London, Lanham, Rowman & Littlefield chapter 1
Brown P and Lauder H (2001) Capitalism and social progress, the future of society in a global economy Basingstoke, Palgrave chapter 2
Cohen R and Kennedy P (2000) Global Sociology Basingstoke Palgrave chapter 3
Fligstein (2001) The architecture of markets, an economic sociology of twenty-first-century capitalist societies Oxford, Princeton University Press Chapter 8
Gill S (2001) 'Constituting Capital: EMU and Disciplinary Neo-Liberalism' In Bieler A and Morton AD (eds) Social forces in the making of the new Europe, the restructuring of European social relations in the global political economy Basingstoke, Palgrave,
Hall P and Soskice D (2001) ‘Introduction’. In Hall P and Soskice D (eds) Varieties of Capitalism Oxford, Oxford University Press
Kay J (2004) The truth about markets, why some nations are rich but most remain poor London, Penguin Chapters 26 & 27
Moore, B (1993) Social origins of dictatorship and democracy. Boston, Beacon Press chapter 3
Sombart, W (2001) ‘Why is there no Socialism in the United States?’ in Stehr H and Grundmann R (eds) Werner Sombart Economic life in the modern age New Brunswick, [N.J.], Transaction Publishers
Thrift (2005) Knowing capitalism London, Sage Chapter 2
Wallerstein I (2000) ‘The Rise and Future Demise of the Capitalist World Economy’ In Sanderson SK (ed) Sociological Worlds: Comparative and Historical Readings on Society London, Fitzroy Dearborn
Week 16 Theories of Macro Cultural Differences
This week we will begin to look at how the concept of culture has been used to explain differences between societies. We will be concentrating on explanations that have looked at macro differences rather than considering the work of cultural studies more generally.
Key Reading
Haller, M (2002) ‘Theory and Method in the Comparative Study of Values: Critique and Alternative to Inglehart’ European Sociological Review Vol 18 No 2 pp139-158
Pick one of these to read
Benedict R (2002) 'Diversity of Cultures' In Spillman L (ed) Cultural sociology Oxford, Blackwell Publishers
Carens JH (2000) Culture, citizenship and community, a contextual exploration of justice as evenhandedness Oxford, Oxford University Press chapter 3
Dant T (1999) Material culture in the social world, values, activities, lifestyles, Buckingham, Open University Press chapter 2
Eagleton T (2000) The Idea of Culture Oxford, Blackwell Chapter 1
Hampden-Turner C and Trompenaars F (1994) The seven cultures of capitalism, value systems for creating wealth in the United States, Britain, Japan, Germany, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands, London, Piatkus Chapter 2
Hofstede, G (2001) Culture's consequences, comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations London, Sage Chapter 1
Inglehart, R (1977) The silent revolution, changing values and political styles among Western publics, Guildford, Princeton University Press Chapter 1
Inglehart, R (1997) Modernization and Postmoderinization Guildford, Princeton University Press chapter 1
Schneider A (1999) ‘US Neo-conservatism: cohort and cross-cultural perspective’ International journal of sociology and social policy Vol 19 No 12 56-86
Verstraete, G (2002) ‘Railroading America: Towards a Material Study of the Nation’ Theory, Culture and Society Vol 19 No 5/6 pp145-159
Week 17 Clash Of Cultures?
This week we will continue out look at cultural issues by considering the arguments around the idea of a ‘clash of cultures’. We will also consider theories of a ‘New World Order’ and consider the issue of cultural imperialism.
Key Reading
Venn,C (2002) World dis/order: on some fundamental questions Theory culture and society, Aug 2002, Vol.19, No.4, pp.121-136
Pick one of these to read
Chomsky N (2001) 'The meaning of Seattle' In Yuen E et al (eds) The Battle of Seattle, the new challenge to capitalist globalization New York, Soft Skull
Cohen R and Kennedy P (2000) Global Sociology Basingstoke Palgrave chapter 13
Crossley N (2002) Global anti-corporate struggle: a preliminary analysis British Journal of Sociology, Volume 53, Number 4, 1 pp. 667-691
Eisenstadt, SN (2000) ‘The resurgence of religious movements in processes of globalisation - beyond end of history or clash of civilisations’ International Journal on Multicultural Societies Vol. 2, No. 1 Full Text at http://www.unesco.org/most/vl2n1eis.htm
Fukuyama, F (1995) Trust, the social virtues and the creation of prosperity, New York, Free Press chapter 3 & 4
Huntington, S P. (1996).The clash of civilizations and the remaking of world order, London, Simon & Schuster Chapter 1
Lazar,A, Lazar, MM (2004) ‘The discourse of the new world order: 'out-casting' the double face of threat’ Discourse & society 2004, Vol.15, No.2-3, pp.223-242
Luke T (1995) ‘New World Order or Neo World Orders: Power, Politics and Ideology in Informationalizing Glocalities’ in Featherstone, Lash and Roberstone (eds) Global Modernities London, Sage
Novak N (2006) The Universal Hunger for Liberty: Why the Clash of Civilizations Is Not Inevitable London Basic Books Especially chapter 9
Saikal A (2003) Islam and the West: Conflict or Cooperation? Basingstoke Palgrave Any chapter
Wallerstein I (1990) ‘Culture as the Ideological Battleground of the Modern World System’ in Featherstone M (ed) Global Culture:Nationalism, Globalization and Modernity London, Sage
Week 18 Comparing welfare systems
This week we will consider differences in welfare provision between western nation-states. We will consider how ideas about welfare are linked to the different forms of capitalism we considered in week 2, and the implications that this has for people whose lives depend on it.
Key Reading
Svallfors S (2004) 'Class, Attitudes and the Welfare State: Sweden in Comparative Perspective' Social Policy & Administration Volume 38 Issue 2 Page 119
Pick one of these to read
Esping-Andersen, G (1990) The three worlds of welfare capitalism, Cambridge, Polity chapter 1
Cochrane A and Clarke J (eds) (1993) Comparing welfare states, Britain in international context London, Sage Any chapter
George V and Taylor-Gooby P (1996) European Welfare Policy Basingstoke Macmillan any chapter
Hammet C (1998) ‘Social polarisation, economic restructuring and welfare state regimes’. In Musterd S and Ostendorf W (eds) Urban segregation and the welfare state, inequality and exclusion in western cities London, Routledge
Kleinman M (2002) A European Welfare State? 1 Basingstoke Palgrave chapter 1
Kuhnle S and Alestalo M (2000) ‘Introduction’ In Kuhnle S (ed) Survival of the European welfare state London, Routledge
Piven F (2002) ‘Globalization, American Politics and Welfare Policy’ In Albelda R and Withorn A (eds) Lost ground, welfare reform, poverty, and beyond Cambridge, MA, South End Press
Prior P and Sykes R (2001) ‘Globalization and the European Welfare States: Evaluating the theories and evidence’ In Sykes R et al (eds) Globalization and the European welfare state. Basingstoke Palgrave
Mishra R (1999) Globalization and the welfare state Cheltenham, Edward Elgar chapter 5
Sainsbury D (1994) ‘Women and Men’s Social Rights’ In Sainsbury D (ed) Gendering welfare states London, Sage
Williams F (2001) ‘Race/Ethnicity Gender and Class in Welfare States’ In Fink J et al (eds) Rethinking European welfare, transformations of Europe and social policy, London, Sage
Week 19 Comparing health systems Lecturer Marie Clucas
This week we will look at the different forms of healthcare provision mainly in the west. Like welfare provision, the form of healthcare system can be linked to the other structures in a particular society, particularly the variety of capitalism and the cultural stances towards state provisions.
Key Reading To be confirmed.
Pick one of these to read
Blank R and Burau V (2006) Comparative health policy Basingstoke Palgrave Any chapter
Field MG (ed) (1989) Success and crisis in national health systems, a comparative approach London, Routledge Any chapter
Flood CM (2000) International Health Care Reform Routledge, London chapter 3
Gauld R (ed) (2005) Comparative health policy in the Asia-Pacific Maidenhead, Open University Press Any chapter
Harrison, M (2004) Implementing health system reform, market reforms in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Netherlands London, Sage Any chapter
Johnson N (ed) (1995) Private markets in health and welfare, an international perspective, Oxford, Berg Any chapter
Jost TS (ed) (2005) Health care coverage determinations, an international comparative study, Maidenhead, Open University Press any chapter
McPake B (2002) ‘The Globalisation of health sector reform policies: is lesson learning part of the process’ In Lee K et al (eds) Health Policy in a Globalising World, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press
Moran M, (1999) Governing the Heath Care State. Manchester, Manchester University Press chapter 1
Parkhurst J (2005) 'Health system factors influencing maternal health services: a four country comparison' Health Policy 73 (2) 127-138
Ranade W (ed) (1998) Markets and health care, a comparative analysis London, Longman. Any chapter
Rosenthal MM and Frenkel M (eds) (1990) Health care systems and their patients, an international perspective Boulder, Westview Press Any chapter
Scott C (2001) Public and private roles in health care systems, reform experience in seven OECD countries Buckingham, Open University Press Chapter 3,4 or 5