Dr. Tim Sawert

Seminar: Social Reproduction and Social Mobility - ENTFÄLLT

Instructors: Dr. Tim Sawert
Shortname: S Wahlveranstaltung
Course No.: 02.149.16910
Course Type: Seminar

Anwesenheitspflicht

Anyone who is absent in the first session without excuse gives up their place. A prior informal excuse to the teacher by e-mail is sufficient. No medical certificate is required.

Contents

Social mobility and social reproduction are terms from social inequality research that deal with the question of the extent to which there is stability or change in inequalities in generational change. Reproduction and mobility processes can be examined both with regard to structural positioning, for example with regard to the extent of mobility processes in educational attainment or in occupational positioning. However, it is also possible to look at the cultural level if cultural preferences, practices, or values are the focus of interest.
In the seminar, we will first deal with a precise definition of the terms and discuss what exactly social mobility and social reproduction mean. Following this conceptual specification, we will discuss different theoretical approaches that make predictions about the extent to which institutions influence social mobility and reproduction processes, for example with regard to the role of educational institutions. Once we have acquired the conceptual and theoretical tools, we will turn our attention to empirical research. Here, we first look at the extent to which historical and international similarities and differences can be identified with regard to the extent of intergenerational reproduction from a comparative perspective. 
Finally, we will discuss research that empirically tests the explanatory theories we have previously learned about.

Additional information

The seminar will be held in English in order to train English language skills for the increasingly internationalized labor markets and to make it easier for international students to participate.

In modules 09 and 10 (core subject) and module 06 (minor subject) , one “Vertiefungsseminar“ and one “Wahlveranstaltung“ must be taken.

A term paper must be written in one of the seminars per module. The topic of the term paper must be discussed in advance with the supervisor. Assignments whose topic has not been discussed in advance may be rejected. This does not replace registration for the examination in Jogustine.

Further information (in German) on those courses (“Vertiefungsseminare” and “Wahlveranstaltungen“) can be found here: https://www.soziologie.uni-mainz.de/studienverlauf-und-modulhandbuecher/

Further information on writing a term paper can be found here: https://www.soziologie.uni-mainz.de/files/2020/08/Handreichung-zur-Anfertigung-von-Hausarbeiten.pdf