Kursinformation

Conspiracy theories have increasingly drawn attention in public debates and the social and cultural sciences in the last decades. Sociology, however, has been somewhat reluctant in addressing the issue, at least compared to the humanities and psychology. This seminar seeks to investigate reasons for this reluctance by critically engaging with both literature on the relationship of sociological theory and conspiracy theories and theoretical and empirical investigations of conspiracy theorizing. The double aim is to develop a sociological understanding of conspiracy theorizing, and, via this peculiar case, also of sociological theory as second-order-constructions: Theories of something that is already brimming with lay-theories of itself.

While some of the literature is also available in German, many especially of the more recent writings are not. Students therefore are expected to read English literature. Discussions will be in German or English, contingent on student needs.

Organization of the seminar
This seminar is focusing on the discussion of texts. Classes will rely highly on student participation, with me acting as a facilitator and moderator for students’ discussions. Everybody attending the class should be capable of giving a short introduction to the text(s) assigned to the session. You should prepare a short reading-note of the text, answering the following questions:

• What is the topic of the texts?
• Which arguments are developed?
• How are these arguments developed?
• What is convincing about the texts?
• Where is criticism appropriate?
• How would I adress the criticism?
• What are one or two sentences/thoughts that stuck with me?

Of course, a seminar can only offer a glimpse into the diversity of topics and perspectives of the sociology of conspiracy theories. I would therefore like to encourage you to talk to me about topics that you feel are missing from this syllabus: I will do my best to include them in the course schedule, and I will certainly be happy to help you find literature on these topics. I strive to create an open and inclusive teaching and learning culture that encourages you as students to participate actively and critically in the discussions and the course as a whole, that encourages you to develop your own approach to sociological questions and their complex entanglement with social problems and dynamics, and that cultivates a conscious approach to the different needs, interests, and problems of the students. I would therefore strongly encourage you to contact me (or my team) at any time if you feel uncomfortable about the atmosphere of the course, have difficulty accessing it, or have concerns about the course content.