230077 PR B11 Sociological Research Practice 1: Culture, Morality and Class (2025S)

Culture, Morality, and Class: Perception, Interpretation, and Conflict Dynamics

Processes of social transformation and crises – whether the cost-of-living crisis, the climate crisis, health crises, or migration – affect different social groups in different ways. Disruptive events and societal conflicts unfold along the dimensions of redistribution, recognition, and representation, whose close interconnection becomes particularly evident in times of crisis. Inequalities shape not only access to material resources but also the perception, articulation, and public visibility of social concerns. A central task of sociology is to understand how social groups interpret their position in society in such moments, what claims they make on the state, redistribution policies, or other actors, and how the experience and articulation of justice perceptions shape political dynamics.

In this context, theories of social class have gained renewed relevance. Class is understood not only as a social structure but also as a lived practice, a cultural style, and as moral form of political articulation.

Objective of the course:

The research practicum focuses on the sociological analysis of how crises – particularly ruptures and disruptive transformations – are perceived and interpreted. We aim to examine how different social groups respond to crisis events and how class membership shapes both individual and collective reactions.

Students will learn to conduct theory-driven empirical research: They will engage with sociological concepts and develop their own research questions and methodological approaches based on them. The empirical work will focus on current social conflicts and polarizations as a starting point.

Theoretical Approaches:

- Class and status theories
- The social field: cultural, social, and economic capital
- Symbolic boundaries and solidarity
- Moral economy
- Affect, narrative, political emotions, and class

To further develop theoretical concepts and methods, we will also incorporate approaches from cultural sociology, political sociology, economic sociology, and the sociology of emotions. There will also be space to address the multiple intersections of these topics with gender and ethnicity.

Empirical Implementation

The emphasis is on translating theoretical concepts into empirical research. The core of the course lies in independent investigations of social conflicts and the analysis of class dynamics.

As a shared starting point, we will focus on how people perceive and relate to the cost-of-living crisis and the climate crisis in their everyday lives. Students will be encouraged to develop their own research questions, embed them within the theoretical framework of class sociology, and apply appropriate research methods.

Methodological Approach

- Development of individual research topics within the group
- Discussion and theoretical embedding of topics in the seminar
- Independent application of methods to the chosen research field

By the end of the course, students will not only be familiar with key theoretical perspectives but will also have gained practical experience in conducting sociological research.