Theories of Power
Teorier om makt

VRS005F, 7.5 credits

Valid from: Spring 2020
Decided by: Gudbjörg Erlingsdóttir
Date of establishment: 2020-05-12

General Information

Division: Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety
Course type: Third-cycle course
Teaching languages: English, Swedish

Aim

The aim of the course is to provide doctoral students with a broad theoretical understanding of power, as a fundamental concept for social studies, and in-depth knowledge with particular relevance to the doctoral student’s own research.

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• be able to explain central perspectives in scientific studies of power,
• be able to actively use fundamental concepts in scientific studies of power.

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• be able to scientifically analyse and synthesise different theories of power,
• be able to independently and critically review and assess different theories of, and the own approach to power,
• be able to present and discuss with authority various theories of power both orally and in writing.

Judgement and Approach

For a passing grade the doctoral student must be able to demonstrate deeper understanding of the possibilities and limitations of science in the study of power, its influence on power, and its ability to influence power.

Course Contents

The course is structured around compulsory seminars and an independent essay, where the doctoral student places the concept of power in relation to the own research, presents how power is expected to be used in the own dissertation (written as one or more parts of a theory chapter), as well as discusses strengths and weaknesses with that approach and why other perspectives are not as useful. For each seminar, the doctoral students prepare by reading prescribed literature and pondering specific reflection questions.

Course Literature

• Allen, A.: The power of feminist theory: Domination, resistance, solidarity. Routledge, 2018.
• Collins, P.H.: SYMPOSIUM: On West and Fenstermaker’s “Doing Difference”. Gender & Society, 9(4), 491–494., 1995.
• Flyvbjerg, B.: Rationality and Power: Democracy in practice. University of Chicago Press, 1998.
• Hartsock, N.: Foucault on power: A theory for women?. In L. J. Nicholson (Ed.), Feminism/Postmodernism (pp. 157–175). New York: Routledge., 1990.
• Hearn, J.: Theorizing Power. Palgrave Macmillan, 2012.
• Lukes, S.: Power: A radical view. Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.
• Mann, M.: The sources of social power: Volume 1, A History of Power from the Beginning to AD 1760. Cambridge University Press, 1986.
• Miller, P. & Rose, N.: Governing the Present: Administering Economic, Social and Personal Life. Polity Press, 2008.
• Okin, S.M.: Justice, gender, and the family. Basic Books, 1989.
• Runciman, W.G.: The social animal. HarperCollins, 1998.
• Wrong, D.H.: Power: Its Forms, Bases, and Uses. Harper Colophon Books, 1980.
• Young, I.M.: Justice and the politics of difference. Princeton University Press, 1990.

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Seminars, project. The course is structured around compulsory seminars and an independent essay.

Examination Details

Examination formats: Written report, miscellaneous. The course is assessed through participation in compulsory seminars and through an independent essay, where the doctoral student places the concept of power in relation to the own research, presents how power is expected to be used in the own dissertation (written as one or more parts of a theory chapter), as well as discusses strengths and weaknesses with that approach and why other perspectives are not as useful.
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Admission requirements: Enrolled as a PhD student at a recognised university.
Selection criteria: Based on time since enrolment, prioritising doctoral students with more time.

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinator: Per Becker <per.becker@risk.lth.se>