| Termin/e |
Di, 17.02.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12
Di, 24.02.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12
Di, 03.03.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12
Di, 10.03.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12
Di, 17.03.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12
Di, 24.03.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12
Di, 31.03.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12
Di, 14.04.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12
Di, 21.04.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12
Di, 28.04.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12
Di, 05.05.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12
Di, 12.05.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12
Di, 19.05.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12
Di, 26.05.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 12 |
| Inhalt |
In an era of rising authoritarianism, climate crisis, war, and ideological polarization, imagining a just, sustainable, and equitable society can seem an impossible dream. Yet it is precisely in such times of turmoil and uncertainty that the human impulse for utopian thinking becomes most urgent. As established systems fail and new futures emerge, how can we envision possibilities beyond the struggles of the present moment? What can idealistic movements and speculative fictions reveal about society’s deepest hopes and fears? This seminar on the sociology of utopianism could not come at a more pertinent junction in history. By grappling with humanity's perpetual quest for perfected worlds, we can gain insight into how social change happens and new pathways forward are forged even in the darkest of hours.
The goal is to acknowledge the very real troubles facing the world today while underscoring the importance of critically examining utopian ideas as a sociological mirror into the dreams and desires that inspire people to keep striving for better paradigms.
This advanced undergraduate seminar provides an in-depth examination of utopian thought and movements through the lens of sociological theory. We will begin by establishing foundations in the key concepts, values, and critiques associated with imaginations of ideal societies, from Plato’s Republic to present-day eco-villages. Moving across history, literature, philosophy, and social science, we will analyze how visions of perfection, dreams of progress, and warnings of dystopia have reflected and shaped their surrounding cultures. Case studies of experimental communities and contemporary movements will demonstrate the practical impacts and limitations of utopianism.
Throughout the course, we will apply sociological frameworks to critically assess the human needs served by utopias, their unintended consequences, and the tensions between aspirational ideals and flawed realities. This seminar encourages open-minded inquiry into humanity’s relentless quest for better worlds – however they may be envisioned. Assignments will develop skills in discussion, analytical writing, and creative application of course material. By the end, students will synthesize their own sociological perspective on the issues and trade-offs raised by utopian thought across its long, evolving history. |