(University of Pennsylvania)

one of the world's leading conflict sociologists, will be holding a masterclass on the "Microsociology of Violence" in the week of June 16-20, 2014.

The course will take place at the Graduate School of North American Studies from 2-4pm. and is open to all MA and PhD students working in a field related to the topic of the master class.

In order to attend, please send a short letter of motivation and a CV to office@gsnas.fu-berlin.de. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 4 June 2014 at noon (GMT+1).

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Anne Nassauer at anne.nassauer@fu-berlin.de.

 

Syllabus

June 16: Social Interactions and Emotions in Violent Situations 

reading:
Randall Collins, Dynamik der Gewalt. 2011 (Übersetzung) or
Randall Collins, Violence: A Micro-Sociological Theory. 2008:
Chapters 1-3

 

June 17: Violent performances; limitations on violence

reading:
Collins, Violence: Chapters 5, 9

 

June 18:  Fair fights; carousing violence

reading:
Collins, Violence: Chapters 6, 7

 

June 19: Counter-escalation and de-escalation of conflict and violence

reading:
Randall Collins, 2012: “C-Escalation and D-escalation: A Theory of the Time-Dynamics of Conflict.” American Sociological Review  77: 1-20.
Randall Collins, "Material interests are ambiguous motives; interaction ritual focus is better predictor of political behavior."

 

June 20: Emotional dominance; who wins and loses; how to stop violence locally

reading:
Collins, Violence: Chapters 4, 10, 11, and Epilogue: Practical Conclusions
Randall Collins, "Moby Dick and Hemingway's Bulls: On Learning the Techniques of Violence"
Randall Collins, "Tank Man and the Limits of Telephoto Lenses: Or, How Much Can Individuals Stop Violence?"