Akos Rona-Tas

Office: SSB 491

Phone: 534-4699

Office Hours: W 1:00-3:00

or by appointment

Email: aronatas@ucsd.edu

Many people believe that with the end of the millenium we are passing into a new era. The new type of society that has been emerging is variously labeled as post-modern, post-industrial, post-Fordist, information or global. In this seminar we are going to read together Krishan Kumar’s From Post-Industrial to Post-Modern Society. New Theories of the Contemporary World (Blackwell). (Book is available at the UCSD Bookstore in the Price Center.) On 200 pages, Kumar gives a concise overview of the various theories that have emerged to explain recent developments that may reshape the way our societies are organized.

To pass this class, you have to complete a short (4-6 page long) paper. You will have a choice of two kinds of paper to write. You can write a theoretical paper where you offer an argument disputing or affirming one of the theoretical statements presented in the book. Your argument cannot simply reproduce Kumar’s endorsement or criticism. It has to bring in new points and will have to make use of at least two other scholarly sources. You can also choose to write a research proposal. There you have to propose a feasible project to decide between competing claims presented by Kumar. Again, you will have to use at least two outside sources. You will also have to be fairly specific about the details of your project. Papers are due at the time of the final.

You will also have to present your paper topic to the class. Your grade then will be determined as follows:

70% paper

20% presentation

10% class participation

This class has a Web site

http://weber.ucsd.edu/~aronatas/SOC90.htm

April 5

Modern Times by Charlie Chaplin

April 12

Fordism and Post-Fordism

Reading:

Kumar Chapters 3

April 19

The Information Society

Reading:

Kumar Chapters 1,2

April 26

Modernity and Post-Modernity I

Reading:

Kumar Chapters 4, 5

May 3

Discussion of paper topics