Theories of Power (U00329)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : SPS-3-SYPOWER

Power is a central concept for social and political analysis. This course introduces the student to some major approaches to theories of power, and their application to substantive areas of research. It begins by examining the reasons for studying power, and defining power in relation to cognate concepts such as authority, legitimacy and domination. The course goes on to explore the topic through a combination of foci on (1) major theorists of power (e.g. Steven Lukes, Michael Mann, Gianfranco Poggi, John Scott, Dennis Wrong, Michel Foucault, Pierre Bourdieu, Bent Flyvbjerg) and (2) major themes (e.g. gender, economy, religion, interpersonal power). Exactly which theorists and/or themes are focused on varies from year to year. There will also be an emphasis on relating more abstract theoretical arguments to substantive empirical case studies of power.

Entry Requirements

? Costs : None

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Sociology, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	09:00	10:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students should be able to: identify and critically assess major themes in the theorisation of power; formulate a position on the value and importance of contending conceptions of power; analyse the ways substantive fields of research inform conceptions of power, and how specific conceptions of power may shape empirical research.