Theories of Power
Teorier om makt

VRS005F, 7.5 högskolepoäng

Gäller från och med: Spring 2020
Beslutad av: Gudbjörg Erlingsdóttir
Datum för fastställande: 2020-05-12

Allmänna uppgifter

Avdelning: Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety
Kurstyp: Ren forskarutbildningskurs
Undervisningsspråk: English, Swedish

Syfte

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.

Mål

Kunskap och förståelse

För godkänd kurs skall doktoranden

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

Färdighet och förmåga

För godkänd kurs skall doktoranden

• 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.

Värderingsförmåga och förhållningssätt

För godkänd kurs skall doktoranden 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.

Kursinnehåll

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.

Kurslitteratur

• 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.

Kursens undervisningsformer

Undervisningsformer: Seminarier, projekt. The course is structured around compulsory seminars and an independent essay.

Kursens examination

Examinationsformer: Skriftlig rapport, övrigt. 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.
Betygsskala: Underkänd, godkänd
Examinator:

Antagningsuppgifter

Förkunskapskrav: Enrolled as a PhD student at a recognised university.
Urvalskriterier: Based on time since enrolment, prioritising doctoral students with more time.

Kurstillfällesinformation

Kontaktinformation och övrigt

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