This course explores different descriptions and explanations of ongoing social divisions, polarisations and emerging lines of conflict on a national, supranational and global level. After an introduction to theories of social and political conflict, the dynamics of conflict at various levels will be compared and discussed from sociological and political science perspectives. Students will be enabled to understand how accelerated social change creates new lines of conflict and polarisation within and between societies. They also learn how policy interventions (e.g. climate and environmental policies) can at the same time reduce tensions and spark new conflicts. Therefore, this course aims to raise awareness that social transformations are often contested and can lead to unexpected lines of conflict and polarization. Finally, possible strategies of dealing with the conflictual nature of social change will be discussed.

The participants in this course will

• acquire an understanding of current theories of social and political conflict.
• become familiar with various social-scientific diagnoses of contemporary political conflict lines and polarisation in the context of socio-ecological challenges.
• be able to compare and critically reflect on these dynamics at national, supranational, and global levels.
• learn to examine current debates in the light of social science interpretations, discuss them in an intercultural group setting, and develop their own social science-based point of view.
• learn to critically reflect on their own perspectives, experiences and behaviour, in particular in relation to cultural, social and political norms.
• enhance their ability to constructively deal with diversity and treat other people with respect, irrespective of their status, culture or personal preferences.

Attendance is compulsory (PI). One unit may be missed without having a negative effect on the grade. If you know in advance that you will be absent, you must inform the lecturer via email (e.g. if the course overlaps with another course). A unit missed for health reasons (e.g. accident or illness) will not be recorded as an absence if a medical certificate can be provided. Further details on the attendance rules will be explained in the first unit of the course.

• Introductory inputs by the lecturer
• Exploration and discussion of selected literature, partially led by the students
• Critical discussion and evaluation of concepts in the context of (current) social/political phenomena

• Active participation in the discussions (15%)
• Repeated demonstration of thorough reading of the required literature in mini quizzes (20%)
• Acting as the lead discussant of an academic text (25%)
• Preparation of a written seminar paper (40%). If no seminar paper is submitted, the course will be graded as ‘failed’.

The use of AI tools for text generation is prohibited. AI output cannot be used as evidence for content claims; all content statements must be supported by scientific literature. All AI tools used must be listed in the list of aids (Hilfsmittelverzeichnis). The entry in the list of aids must include: tool, search string, generated result string, date of the search. Unauthorized use of AI tools or missing references will be considered an attempt to deceive or plagiarism.

This course builds on the learning outcomes of Courses I and II of Politics of Societal Change (only incoming students are allowed to register for this course without having completed Courses I and II). During the registration period, free places are filled according to the “first-come, first-served” principle. If you have registered for the course but will not participate, please deregister during the LPIS registration period. Your place will be available for other students. If there will be a waiting list for registration for the course, students will be ranked according to their academic progress at the conclusion of the registration period. The students on the waiting list will then be allocated to available places. However, this procedure does not guarantee a place.

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