230123 SE Marxism in Austrian Sociology: A search for traces (2016W)

The search for traces of the marginalized traditions and positions of the Austrian sociology, started in winter semester, is continued from a new angle. The history of sociology cannot be approached by a history of ideas, but as an analysis of the social (and academic) field. In Vienna, the rising of sociology is only partially connected to the university, but with a variety of places outside the university.The aim of the seminar is not the mere enumeration and rediscovery of forgotten and marginalized sociologists, but the analysis of the material and discursive constitution conditions of the discipline in a specific local and urban context. The places of sociology are reflecting socio-political and at the same time epistemological positions, and conflict lines. For this reason, also the related oeuvre and sociologists have to be studied and related to each other.

In this semester we will discuss the manifold cross-references as well as demarcations between Austrian sociologist and Marxist theorists, from early 20th century until up to this day, both within the seminar group and together with external experts. We will explore the direct and indirect impact Marxist theorists had e.g. in the establishment of the “Wiener Soziologische Gesellschaft”. The cognitive and institutional influences of Austrian politics in the interwar period on the history of empirical research methods in general and Paul Lazarsfeld’s thinking in particular will be a seminar topic as well. Furthermore, we will deal with the role of multiple marginalizations of female sociologists like Käthe Leichter, as marxist, feminist and sociologist, and eventually search for “sociological traces” in current readings of Marx’ “Kapital”.