Syllabus for Sociology of Power, Elites and Elite Education
Maktens sociologi, eliter och elitutbildningar
Syllabus
- 7.5 credits
- Course code: 4PE286
- Education cycle: Second cycle
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Main field(s) of study and in-depth level:
Sociology of Education A1N
Explanation of codes
The code indicates the education cycle and in-depth level of the course in relation to other courses within the same main field of study according to the requirements for general degrees:
First cycle
- G1N: has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
- G1F: has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
- G1E: contains specially designed degree project for Higher Education Diploma
- G2F: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
- G2E: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements, contains degree project for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
- GXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Second cycle
- A1N: has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
- A1F: has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
- A1E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits)
- A2E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)
- AXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
- Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG)
- Established: 2022-10-06
- Established by: The Department Board
- Applies from: Spring 2024
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Entry requirements:
A Bachelor's degree including at least 90 credits from a discipline pertaining to the social sciences or the humanities.
- Responsible department: Department of Education
Decisions and guidelines
The course is part of the Master's Programme in Sociology of Education and the Master's Programme in Educational Sciences with a Specialisation in Sociology of Education. It can also be given as an independent course.
Learning outcomes
After completion of the course students are expected to be able to
- describe how power, elites and elite education are conceptualised in various traditions with relevance to sociology of education
- critically evaluate the scientific usefulness of conceptual tools and research methods for studying power, elites and elite education
- analyse the relation between power, elites and elite education historically and in particular countries
- analyse the impact of globalisation on power, elites and elite education
- critically examine how power is exercised, mediated and built up in particular social settings
Content
The course focuses on the relationship between power, elites and elite education. Using a historical and comparative perspective it examines the relation between elites and the structure of the field of power in various countries. It further explores the role of educational institutions in the selection to and reproduction of elites and the field of power. The course also addresses theoretical and methodological issues related to the study of power, elites and elite education, such as how they are affected by globalisation or how power is exercised, mediated and built up in particular social settings such as colonialism.
Instruction
The course consists of a series of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
The assessment is based on written assignments as well as on active participation during seminars.
If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.
Reading list
Reading list
Applies from: Spring 2024
Some titles may be available electronically through the University library.
Articles of up to 150 pages can be added by the course management.
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Bottomore, T. B.
Elites and society
2nd ed.: London: Routledge, 1993
Mandatory
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Khan, Shamus Rahman
Privilege : the making of an adolescent elite at St. Paul's School
2011
Mandatory
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Mills, C. Wright
The power elite
New York: Oxford University Press, 1999
Mandatory
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Savage, Michael;
Williams, Karel
Remembering elites
Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub., 2008
Mandatory
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Zanten, Agnès van;
Ball, Stephen J.;
Darchy-Koechlin, Brigitte
World Yearbook of Education 2015: Elites, Privilege and Excellence: the National and Global Redefinition of Educational Advantage (World Yearbook of Education)
Routledge, 2015
Mandatory