Selected topics from relational sociology

Seminar, 20h

Teaching methods applied: Critical analysis of scientific texts with elements of lecturing; individual presentation of chosen topics; group discussion

The relational movement brings new methodological and theoretical potential for social and cultural sciences. Simultaneously it reconfigures classical and modern social theory in the relational perspective in order to understand and explain the emergence of new forms and meanings of sociality, making it possible to articulate a new relational foundation for social and cultural formations. Social relations remain the central category implying, however, a broader notion of relations and relationality. Social relations are based on the principle of reciprocity on which sociality depends. Relational sociology pays attention to non-instrumental aspects of sociality similarly to the anti-utilitarian movement in social sciences, which evokes the gift paradigm. Relational approaches propose various models of relational analyses. The seminar is intended as an introduction to the problematics of relational sociology, involving discussion on selected topics, such as whether relational sociology maintains its integrity despite a variety of approaches, and thus whether it formulates a new paradigm. It will be explicated in what sense relational sociology is a humanistic, reflexive and critical one

1. Bourdieu Pierre, The Logic of Practice, transl. R. Nice, P. Alto, Stanford 1990: Stanford University Press, s. 75-91.

2. Chanial Philippe, For an Anthropology of Interhuman Relations in the Gift Key, “MAUSS International”, 2023: 1(3): 99-124.

3. Depelteau Francois, “Relational Thinking in Sociology: Relevance, Concurrence and Dissonance”, w: Francois Depelteau (red.), The Palgrave Handbook of Relational Sociology, Cham 2018: Palgrave Macmillan, s. 3-33.

4. Donati Pierpaolo, Transcending Modernity with Relational Thinking, London 2021: Routledge, s. 51-67.

5. Fondevila Jorge, “Switchings Among Netdoms: The Relational Sociology of Harrison C. White”, w: Francois Depelteau (red.), The Palgrave Handbook of Relational Sociology, Cham 2018: Palgrave Macmillan, s. 231-269.

6. Hałas Elżbieta, “Discovering the Relational Relevance of Reciprocity”, w: Elisabetta Carra, Paolo Terenzi (red.), The Relational Gaze on a Changing Society, Berlin 2019: Peter Lang, s. 89-105.

7. Hałas Elżbieta, “Preface”, w: Elżbieta Hałas (red.), Methodology of Relational Sociology. Approaches and Analyses, Cham 2023: Palgrave Macmillan, s. 59-85.

8. Hałas Elżbieta, “Relational Understanding: Beyond the Interpretative and Normative Divide”, w: Elżbieta Hałas (red.), Methodolopgy of Relational Sociology. Approaches and Analyses, Cham 2023: Palgrave Macmillan, s. 59-85.

9. White Harrison C., Identity and Control. How Social Formations Emerge, Princeton 2008: Princeton Univerity Press, s. 1-19.

10. Znaniecki Florian, Social Relations and Social Roles. The Unfinished Systematic Sociology, San Francisco 1965: Chandler Publishing Company, s. 111-142.

Knowledge | The graduate knows and understands:

WG_01 - to the extent necessary for existing paradigms to be revised - a worldwide body of work, covering theoretical foundations as well as general and selected specific issues - relevant to a particular discipline

within the social sciences

WG_02 - the main development trends in the disciplines of the social sciences in which the education is provided

WG_03 - scientific research methodology in the field of the social sciences

WK_01 - fundamental dilemmas of modern civilisation from the perspective of the social sciences

Skills | The graduate is able to:

UK_05 - speaking a foreign language at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages using the professional terminology specific to the discipline within the social sciences, to the extent enabling participation in an international scientific and professional environment

Social competences | The graduate is ready to

KO_01 - fulfilling the social obligations of researchers and creators

KO_02 - fulfilling social obligations and taking actions in the public interest, in particular in initiating actions in the public interest

KO_03 - think and acting in an entrepreneurial manner

Description of requirements related to participation in classes, including the

permitted number of explained absences: Participants are obliged to be prepared to discuss assigned texts. They are obliged to one critical presentation of topics from the literature. Two absences may be justified.

Principles for passing the classes and the subject (including resit session): Oral passing

Methods for the verification of learning outcomes: Evaluation of the quality of the presentation; evaluation of activities and of the input to the seminar

Evaluation criteria: Evaluation of the quality of the presentation; evaluation of activities and of the input to the seminar

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