210084 SE BAK13: State Activity, Policy and Governance Analyses (2022S)

The seminar deals with the foundations, forms, conditions and effects of democratic governance with a focus on the role of civil society. In the first part, the seminar deals with the conceptual, theoretical and normative foundations in order to determine, among other things, under which conditions the influence of non-elected civil society actors on political decisions can be considered legitimate. The second part then focuses on the various forms, conditions, and effects of civil society involvement. Among other things, we will examine what motivates people to civic engagement and what legal, political and social conditions foster a vibrant civil society. In addition, we will determine the extent to which a vibrant civil society and its involvement in the political process can have a positive impact on the common good. The seminar will conclude by inviting guests to provide insights into the practice of civil society organizations.

Each session will begin with a short input presentation, followed by discussion rounds, group work, and/or other activating forms of learning to engage with the content in depth and strengthen subject-specific, methodological, and interdisciplinary skills.

In the course of the seminar, students acquire relevant specialized knowledge on the role of civil society in democracy. Furthermore, subject-specific, methodological as well as interdisciplinary competencies will be strengthened, enabling students to apply their scientific expertise to independently answer a research question. In addition, students also gain insights into the practice of civil society organizations, which can represent a relevant professional field for social scientists.

Basic methodological knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research approaches is an advantage, but not mandatory.