(University of Pennsylvania)

Micro-Sociology of Violence

16.-20 Juni 2014
14-16h | 2-4pm

Graduiertenschule für Nordamerikastudien
Seminarraum Villa
Lansstraße 5-9
14195 Berlin (Dahlem)

Syllabus

June 16: Social Interactions and Emotions in Violent Situations 

reading:
Randall Collins, Dynamik der Gewalt. 2011 (Übersetzung) or
Randall Collins, Violence: A Micro-Sociological Theory. 2008:
Chapters 1-3

June 17: Violent performances; limitations on violence

reading:
Collins, Violence: Chapters 5, 9

June 18:  Fair fights; carousing violence

reading:
Collins, Violence: Chapters 6, 7

June 19: Counter-escalation and de-escalation of conflict and violence

reading:
Randall Collins, 2012: “C-Escalation and D-escalation: A Theory of the Time-Dynamics of Conflict.” American Sociological Review  77: 1-20.
Randall Collins, "Material interests are ambiguous motives; interaction ritual focus is better predictor of political behavior."

June 20: Emotional dominance; who wins and loses; how to stop violence locally

reading:
Collins, Violence: Chapters 4, 10, 11, and Epilogue: Practical Conclusions
Randall Collins, "Moby Dick and Hemingway's Bulls: On Learning the Techniques of Violence"
Randall Collins, "Tank Man and the Limits of Telephoto Lenses: Or, How Much Can Individuals Stop Violence?"