230126 SE Rethinking Civilization (2011S)

This seminar examines the particular place of the concept 'civilization' in sociological theory, with a specific emphasis on the work of Norbert Elias. Students will become familiar with the key concepts in Elias's work work, including processes of civilization, decivilization, figurations, the theorization of court society, process sociology and relational theorizing. The seminar will also examine the critical engagements with Elias's work, and reflect on the various ways in which Elias's sociology of civilization and decivilization can be applied to current issues in social science. Topics will include court society and modernity, civilization and the making of the modern self, genocide, cultural genocide and decivilization, the anthropological and historical critique of Elias, recent developments in international relations, the civilizing of parents, and 'celebrity society' as court society in an age of mass communication.