Dr Andreas Hess Dip.Soc.Sc, PhD
Contact Details
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Biography:
Senior Lecturer in Sociology |
Research Interests
| Sociology of Ideas, Historical and Cultural Sociology, American Studies and Basque Studies. |
Research Projects
| Sponsor : University College Dublin (UCD) Title : Through the Lens of Exile: The Making of Judith N. Shklar's Political Theory Start Date / End Date : 01-SEP-09 / 31-AUG-10 |
Books
| Andreas Hess (2012) Modernizacion Reluctante: Cultura Plebeya y Economia Moral en el Pais Vasco. San Sebastian, Spain: Hiria. [Details] |
| Hess, Andreas (2013) Gesellschaftspolitisches Denken in den USA. Wiesbaden: Springer VS. [Details] |
Andreas Hess; (2009) Reluctant Modernization - Plebeian Culture & Moral Economy in the Basque Country. Oxford, UK: Peter Lang Publishing Group.  [Details] |
| Hess, A; (2001) Concepts of Social Stratification - European and American Models. London, New York: Palgrave-Macmillan. [Details] |
| Hess, A.; (2001) American Social and Political Thought A Concise Introduction. : New York University Press. [Details] |
Book Chapters
| Andreas Hess; (2010) 'Why there is no Constitutional Patriotism in the Basque Country' In: Chris Thornhill and Samantha Ashenden (eds). Normative and Sociological Approaches to Legitimation nad Legality. Baden-Baden: Nomos. [Details] |
| Tom Garvin and Andreas Hess; (2009) 'Gustave de Beaumont: European Public Intellectual avant la lettre' In: Christian Fleck, Andreas Hess, E. Etina Lyon (eds). Intellectuals and Their Publics. Farnham, Surrey (UK) and Burlington, Vermont (USA): Ashgate. [Details] |
| Christian Fleck, Andreas Hess, E. Stina Lyon; (2009) 'Introduction: Intellectuals and Their Publics: Perspectives from the Social Sciences' In: Christian Fleck, Andreas Hess, E. Stina Lyon (eds). Intellectuals and Their Publics. Farnham, Surrey (UK) and Burlington, Vermont (USA): Ashgate. [Details] |
| Andreas Hess and Tom Garvin; (2009) 'Gustave de Beaumont: Ireland´s Alexis de Tocqueville' In: Social Thought on Ireland in the 19th Century. Dublin: University College Dublin Press. [Details] |
| Garvin, T and Hess, A ; (2006) 'Introduction' In: Ireland,: Social, Political and Religious. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. [Details] |
| A. Hess; (2006) 'America' In: Harrington, A. Marshall, B. and Mueller, H-P (eds). Routledge Encyclopedia of Social Theory. London: Routledge. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2000) 'C. Wright Mills: The Sociological Imagination' In: Dirk Kaesler u. Ludgera Vogt (eds.) , Kröner Verlag, Stuttgart (eds). Hauptwerke der Soziologie. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1999) 'C. Wright Mills (1916-1962)' In: in: C.H. Beck, 1999, Vol. II (eds). Dirk Kaesler (ed.): Klassiker der Soziologie (2 vols.). München: C.H. Beck. [Details] | |||||||||
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Edited Books
| Andreas Hess (Ed.). (2003) American Social and Political Thought: A Reader. New York and Edinburgh: New York University Press (U.S.) and Edinburgh University Press (UK). [Details] |
| Christian Fleck, Andreas Hess, E. Stina Lyon (Ed.). (2009) Intellectuals and Their Publics: Perspectives from the Social Sciences. Farmham, Surrey (UK) and Burlington Vermont (USA): Ashgate. [Details] |
| Tom Garvin and Andreas Hess (Ed.). (2007) Gustave de Beaumont: Ireland. Cambridge: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. [Details] |
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Hess, Andreas; Fleck Christian (2011) 'Sociology and Communism: Coming to terms with a Discipline's Past'. Comparative Sociology, 10 (5):670-690. [Details] |
| Hess, Andreas; Fleck, Christian (2012) 'Radical Protestantism and Doux Commerce: The Trails and Tribulations of Nantucket's Quaker Whaling Community'. Economy and Society, Vol. 41 (No. 2):227-257. [Details] |
| Hess, A; (2010) 'Working the Waves: The Plebeian Culture and Moral Economy of Traditional Basque Fishing Brotherhoods'. Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 40 (4):551-578. [Details] |
| Andreas Hess; (2009) 'The Glass Half-full? An Attempt to Contextualize Jeffrey Alexander's Civil Sphere'. Thesis Eleven, 96 (1). [Details] |
| Andreas Hess; (2009) 'Gustave de Beaumont: Tocqueville´s Darker Shadow'. Journal of Classical Sociology, 9 (1):67-78. [Details] |
| Hess, A.; (2007) 'Is it justified to speak of a Jesuit work ethic in the Basque Country? Variations on a Weberian Theme'. Max Weber Studies, 1 :85-91. [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2007) 'The Social Bonds of Cooking: Gastronomic Societies in the Basque Couyntry'. Cultural Sociology, 1 (3):383-407. [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2007) 'Against Unspoilt Authenticity: A Re-appraisal of Helmuth Plessner's "The Limits of Community" (1924)'. Irish Journal of Sociology, 16 (2):11-26. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A; (2006) 'The Social and the Political: A Comparison of the Writing of Judith N. Shklar and Hannah Arendt on America'. Atlantic Studies, 1 (2):219-233. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2004) 'Intellectual Reactions to September 11'. Irish Journal of Sociology, 13 (2):115-128. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2001) 'Braucht Europa eine Verfassung? Anmerkungen zu Larry Siedentops Democracy in Europe'. Gewerkschaftliche Monatshefte, :443-449. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2001) 'Intellektuelle Reaktionen auf den 11 September'. Gewerkschaftliche Monatshefte, :643-654. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1999) 'The Individual is a Minority - The Thin Line Between Universalism and Particularism'. Soundings, :22-34. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1999) 'What is actually so distinctively societal about society? - Niklas Luhmanns Die Gesellschaft der Gesellschaft'. Swiss Journal of Sociology, 25 (1):123-130. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1999) 'The Economy of Morals and its Applications An Attempt to Understand some Central Concepts in the Work of Albert O. Hirschman'. Review of International Political Economy, 6 (3):338-359. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1998) 'Wie liberal ist die amerikanische Demokratie? Eine ideengeschichtliche Anmerkung '. Gewerkschaftliche Monatshefte, :794-800. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1998) 'Zwischen öffentlicher und privater Sphäre: Saloons und Mondscheinkneipen als gesellschaftliche Institutionen 3/1997 (September), (English version: Between the Public and the Private Sphere - Saloons and Speak-Easies as Social Institutions, The Menai Papers No. 2'. Leviathan, :362-380. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1998) 'C. Wright Mills, Franz Neumann und die Diskussion um die zivile Gesellschaft'. Zeitschrift Fur Kritische Theorie, :63-73. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1997) 'Unheimliche Begegnung der dritten Art: W.E.B. Du Bois, C.L.R. James und die westliche Zivilisation'. Blatter Fur Deutsche Und Internationale Politik, :205-214. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1997) 'Future's Past Revisited: A Critique of Richard Münch's Attempt to Nationalize Social Theory'. German Politics and Society, 15 :46-64. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A. (with Andrei S. Markovits); (1992) 'Terra Incognita - oder: Mit dem Westen über den Westen hinausdenken'. Blatter Fur Deutsche Und Internationale Politik, :99-105. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1991) 'Jean Améry und der Nationalsozialismus'. Zeitschrift Fur Religion- Und Geistesgeschichte, :30-48. [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A. (with Andrei S. Markovits); (1989) 'Intellektuelle und Gewerkschaften in der Bundesrepublik (1945-1989)'. Gewerkschaftliche Monatshefte, 8 :473-485. [Details] | |||||||||
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Guest Lectures
| Hess, A.; (2001) Transnational Aspects of Civil Society . Guest Lectures [Details] |
| Hess, A.; (2001) Higher Education Systems in Britain, Germany and the USA . Guest Lectures [Details] |
| Hess, A. ; (2000) The legacy of C. Wright Mills political sociology. Guest Lectures [Details] |
| Hess, A.; (1999) Sociology vs Cultural Studies = Universalism vs Particularism? Some remarks on the . Guest Lectures [Details] |
| Hess, A.; (1999) British Sociological Association, Annual The Economy of Morals and its Applications . Guest Lectures [Details] |
| Hess, A. ; (1999) The Function of the Sociedades Gastronomicas in the Moral Economy of the Basque Country . Guest Lectures [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (0) Missed Opportunities Joxe Azurmendis Los Españoles y los Euskaldunes. Guest Lectures [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (0) University of Aberdeen, Hispanic Studies: Conference Identities and Identifications: The Basques, Scottish and Irish, . Guest Lectures [Details] | |||||||||
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Invited Lectures
| Hess, A.; (1995) Werk und Wirkung. Invited Lectures [Details] |
Book Reviews
| Hess, A.; (2010) Joseba Zulaika: Terrorism: The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy. Book Reviews [Details] |
| Hess, A.; (2010) Uta Gerhardt: Soziologie in zwanzigsten Jahrhundert: Studien zu ihrer Geschichte in Deutschland. Book Reviews [Details] |
| Hess, A.; (2010) Christian Fleck: Transatlantische Bereicherungen: Zur Erfindung der empirischen Sozialforschung. Book Reviews [Details] |
| Andreas Hess; (2009) Anthony Grafton: Worlds made out of Words. Times Higher Education: Book Reviews [Details] |
| Andreas Hess; (2009) The Canon: Judith N. Shklar: Ordinary Vices. Times Higher Education: Book Reviews [Details] |
| Andreas Hess; (2008) Simon Bromley: American Power. Times Higher Education: Book Reviews [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2008) Sheldon Wolin: Democracy Inc. Times Higher Education: Book Reviews [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2008) Phillip Jenkins: Decade of Nightmares. Times Higher Education: Book Reviews [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2007) Jeffrey Alexander: The Civil Sphere. Cultural Sociology: Book Reviews [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2005) Advancing Strong Programmes. Sociology: Book Reviews [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2001) Joxe Azurmendi: Los Espanoles y los Euskaldunes. International Sociology: Book Reviews [Details] | |||||||||
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Articles
| Hess, Andreas (2011) Book review: Jeffrey Alexander The Performance of Politics. London: Articles [Details] |
| Hess, Andreas (2011) Universities must safeguard intellectual vitality. Articles [Details] |
| Andreas Hess; (2009) Time to consider our position as citizens. The Irish Times: Articles [Details] |
| Andreas Hess; (2009) Third-level revolution sees conformity replace creativity. The Irish Times: Articles [Details] |
| Andreas Hess; (2008) The benefits of apprenticeships. The Irish Times: Articles [Details] |
| Andreas Hess; (2007) Neues Ruestzeug fuer Kulturtheorie. Frankfurter Rundschau: Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2007) Postmodernism made me do it: a world without blame. Irish Times: Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2007) Culture and Contrast in the Basque Country. The Irish Times: Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2006) Third-level overhaul may leave intellectual desert. The Irish Times: Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2006) Im Geiste Walter Benjamins. Frankfurter Rundschau: Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2005) Publish or Perish. Frankfurter Rundschau: Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2005) Top-class university cannot be all things to all people. The Irish Times: Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Andreas Hess; (2005) Schatten der Vergangenheit, Im irrationalen Bann ritualer Gewalt. Frankfurter Rundschau: Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2002) Der lange Schatten des 19. Jahrhunderts: Dekonstruktion des keltischen Mythos Die irischen Sozialwissenschaften im Umbruch (I); Nach der Revision der traditionellen Leitbilder: Wie weit geht die nationale Identität? Die irischen Sozialwisenschaften im Umbruch (II). Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2002) Eine intellektuelle und theoretische Zeitreise Begriffliche Schärfung des Politischen: Sheldon Wolins Einladung zur neuerlichen Tocqueville-Lektüre. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2001) Tartarensoziologie. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2001) Aufstiegspotential. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2001) Politik des Zensus. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2000) Akademische Konkurrenzen - Wider die Legendenbildung: Zum Verhältnis von C. Wright Mills und Hans H. Gerth. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2000) Unter der Eiche von Guernica Die Kultur der Basken. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1999) Emanzipation von des Masters voice - Vom Empire zur Devolution: die sozialwissenschaftliche Diskussion in Grossbritannien (I); Vielschichtiges intellektuelles Erbe Vom Subject zum Citizen: die sozialwissenschaftliche Diskussion in Grossbritannien (II). Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1998) Obituary: There is such a thing as society: Niklas Luhmann (1927-1998). Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1998) Das Recht, Rechte zu haben - Liberalismus der Angst: Judith Shklars Begründung der Politischen Philosophie. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1997) Bach und James Brown, Sushi und fried catfish - Das Individuum ist eine Minderheit: die New Black Intellectuals in den USA. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1996) Review: New Left. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1995) Offene Flanke oder: Die Selbstgefährdung der liberalen Demokratie. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1991) Warum es im Baskenland keinen Flamenco gibt . Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1990) Review: Basque Studies - ein amerikanisches Forschungsprogramm. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1990) Die Kunst Bonito zu fangen - Thunfischfang vor der baskischen Küste . Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1988) Zivilcourage statt Adorno-ML. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (1987) Differenzierungen im Arbeitsbegriff. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (0) Ein umstrittener Voltaire aus Baltimore: Die Renaissance von Henry Louis Mencken in den USA. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (0) Existentialismus in Amerika. Articles [Details] | |||||||||
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Honours and Awards
| Year: 2009. Title: Through the Lense of Exile: The Making of Judith N. Shklar's Political Theory |
| Year: 2003. Title: The President's Research Award, University College Dublin |
| Year: 2004. Title: European Union: Sixth Framework Programme: Analysing and Overcoming the Sociological Fragmentation in Europe (ANOVASOFIE) |
Associations
| Association: International Sociological Association, Function/Role: Secretary of Reseach Comittee History of Sociology |
| Association: British Sociological Association;, Function/Role: * |
| Association: International Sociological Association: Member of the Executive Council of the Research Committee on the History of Sociology;, Function/Role: Secretary |
| Association: International American Studies Association, Function/Role: * |
| Association: Irish Sociological Association, Function/Role: |
Conference Contributions
| Hess, A.; (2005) International symposium with 15 presentations from 9 different countries. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], EU/FP6 ANOVASOFIE International Symposium 'European Public Intellectuals ' Public European Intellectuals in Europe: Sociological Perspectives', Geary Institute, University College Dublin , 07-OCT-05 - 09-OCT-05. |
| Hess, A.; (2005) Presentation: Strange Encounter of the Third Kind: W.E.B Du Bois, C.L.R. James and Western Civilisation. [International Refereed Conference], W. J. Clinton Institute for American Studies, International Conference: 'Intellectuals and the, W.J. Clinton Institute for American Studies , 28-NOV-05 - 30-NOV-05. |
| Hess, A.; (2006) Harvard University Press, Book promotion tour. [Invited Lecture], Harvard University Press, Book promotion tour, Various academic and non-academic venues in Boston and New York , 18-MAR-06 - 26-MAR-06. |
| Andreas Hess; (2008) Why there is no Constitutional Patriotism in the Basque Country. [International Refereed Conference], Normative and sociological approaches to legality and legitimacy, Onate (Gipuzkoa, Spain) , 24-APR-08 - 25-APR-08. |
| Andreas Hess; (2008) ISA/RCHS Interim Conference. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Perspectives from the Periphery, University of Umea, Sweden , 21-AUG-08 - 24-AUG-08. |
| Hess, A.; (2007) Gustave de Beaumont: Public Intellectual Avant-la-lettre. [Invited Lecture], Sociology International Conference: Transatlantic Voyages, Nancy-Université, Université de Strasbourg, Goethe Institut , 31-MAY-07 - 01-JUN-07. | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2007) British Sociological Association, Annual Conference: 'Connections' in London, Panel: Sociologists as Public Intellectuals. [Invited Lecture], Liquid Memory: The Stalinist Past of Zygmunt Bauman, London , 12-APR-07 - 14-APR-07. | |||||||||
| Hess. A. ; (2006) Plebeian Culture and Moral Economy in the Basque Country. [Invited Lecture], Reluctant Modernization, Yale Sociology Department, Center for Cultural Sociology , 08-DEC-06 - 08-DEC-06. | |||||||||
| Hess, A; (2005) Encounter of the Third Kind: W.E.B Du Bois, C.L.R. James and Western Civilisation. [Invited Lecture], International Conference: 'Intellectuals and the State', W. J. Clinton Institute for American Studies, , University College Dublin , 28-NOV-05 - 30-NOV-05. | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; The Social and the Political: A Comparison of Hannah Arendt and Judith N. Shklars Writings on America . [Invited Oral Presentation], International American Studies Association, First ISAS Congress: How far is America from here?, University of Leiden, May 22-24, 2003:, Leiden . | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2003) Middle-Range Theories and Concepts: The Serendipity Pattern. [Invited Oral Presentation], Symposium Robert K. Merton 1910-1993:, University of Sussex, Sociology Department , 13-JUN-03. | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; The Problem of Ordinary Vices in Republican and Liberal Thought . [Invited Oral Presentation], David Bruce Centre for American Studies at Keele University, Colloquium The Moral Republic: Social Regulation, Cultural Politics and the State in the U.S., September 10-13 2003:, * . | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; Panel Discussion: Spains Multiethnic Challenge; paper: Missed Opportunities Joxe Azurmendis Los Españoles y los Euskaldunes. [Invited Oral Presentation], British Political Studies Association: Annual Convention; University of Manchester; April 10-12, 2001, University of Manchester . | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; (2001) Social and Political Thought. [Invited Oral Presentation], International Social Theory Conference,Judith N. Shklar and Hermeneutics, University of Sussex , 05-JUL-01 - 08-JUL-01. | |||||||||
| Hess, A.; Civil Society and Rights from an American Perspective . [Invited Oral Presentation], Civil Society Colloquium, Glamorgan Policy Centre, University of Glamorgan, May 13-14 2002:, Glamorgan . | |||||||||
| Hess, A; (2000) The Social Bonds of Cooking - The Function of the Sociedades Gastronomicas in the Moral Economy of the Basque Country. [Invited Lecture], Annual Conference of the German Sociological Association,, UCLA, Sociology Department, , 28-SEP-00. | |||||||||
| Hess, A; (2001) TEMPUS (EU) Project in Kazan and Izhevsk Teaching Social Science. [Invited Lecture], Higher Education Systems in Britain, Germany and the USA, Kazan State University, Russia , 18-JAN-01 - 27-JAN-01. | |||||||||
| Hess, A; (2001) Transnational Aspects of Civil Society. [Invited Lecture], Winter Academy for Social Reseach - Steiermark, Austria;, University of Graz, Steiermark, Austria , 28-FEB-01 - 04-MAR-01. | |||||||||
| Hess, A; (2001) Panel Discussion: Spain's Multiethnic Challenge; paper: Missed Opportunities. [Invited Lecture], British Political Studies Association: Annual Convention;, University of Manchester , 10-APR-01 - 12-APR-01. | |||||||||
| Hess, A; (2001) Social and Political Thought. Judith N. Shklar and Hermeneutics. [Invited Lecture], International Social Theory Conference, University of Sussex , 05-JUL-01 - 08-JUL-01. | |||||||||
| Hess, A; (2003) 'The Social' and 'the Political': A Comparison of Hannah Arendt and Judith N. Shklar's Writings on America. [Invited Lecture], International American Studies Association, First IASA Congress: How far is America from here?,, University of Leiden , 22-MAY-03 - 24-MAY-03. | |||||||||
| Hess, A; (2003) The Problem of 'Ordinary Vices' in Republican and Liberal Thought. [Invited Lecture], David Bruce Centre for American Studies at Keele University, Colloquium The Moral Republic: Social Regulation, Cultural Politics and the State in the U.S, Keele University , 10-SEP-03 - 13-SEP-03. | |||||||||
| Hess, A; (2003) Jesuit Work Ethic? Max Weber and the Basque Country. [Invited Lecture], Center for Basque Studies, University of Nevada, Reno , 12-DEC-03. | |||||||||
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Employment
| Employer: University of Sussex Position: Lecturer |
| Employer: University of Wales, Bangor Position: Lecturer |
| Employer: University College Dublin Position: College Lecturer |
Education
| Year 1993 Institution: Freie Universitat Berlin Qualification: PhD Subject: |
| Year 1989 Institution: Qualification: Dip SocSc Subject: |
Languages
| English: |
| German: |
| Spanish: |
| French: |
Consultancy
| Client: Polity Press, Cambridge |
| Client: Ashgate Publishers |
| Client: Comparative Sociology/ Brill Publishers |
Reviews
| Theory, Culture And Society: Reviewer. |
| Sociological Theory: Reviewer. |
| Irish Journal Of Sociology: Reviewer. |
| Politics: Reviewer. |
Other Activities
| Editor of Journals: Soundings (No. 16, November 2000), Theme Issue: After Success - The Politics of Civil Society; with contributions from Andreas Hess (Wales Bangor), Jeffrey C. Alexander (UCLA), Robert Fine (Warwick), Maria Pia Lara (UA Mexico City), William Outhwaite (Sussex), Claire Wallace (Vienna), Jonathan Freedland (The Guardian, London) and Grazyna Kubica-Heller (Crakow), pp 89-185 |
Teaching Philosophy
| My development as a teacher has been influenced by the Humboldtian tradition from which I learned that the aim of higher education should be to develop a critical capacity to judge independently and that, accordingly, students should become good citizens in the republic of knowledge. |
Modules Coordinated
| 201200 SOC30100 Sociology: American Society |
| 201200 SOC40050 Sociology: Contemporary Sociological Theo |
Enhancement of Teaching
| I am currently teaching two undergraduate modules (Social Anthropology and American Society), and one MA module (Contemporary Social Theory). The undergraduate modules are both optional courses and attract a substantial number of students (Social Anthropology: 120-150, American Society: 90-125). The MA module is obligatory for some students and an option for others (numbers vary between 10 and 18). Both undergraduate modules are broken down into separate themes to facilitate a better overview of specialised areas that are themselves complex and constantly changing. Over the years I have also experimented in both courses with different readings (books, articles, statistics), changing media content (longer films, shorter videos, maps, photos) and assessment strategies (essay only; essay plus continuous assessment). With ever-increasing student numbers UCD's library resources have been stretched to the limit. In the past I have made reading packs available as an additional resource. These have now been replaced by electronic copies, which can be accessed through Blackboard. I teach relatively big modules, so the number of tutorials is limited to three per module and student. Since all tutorials are offered by myself (and/or my co-lecturer) this involves some repetitive teaching. Individual tutorial groups always differ and produce different outcomes. For the time being such repeat teaching remains a compromise and will hopefully be replaced one day by more tutorials and/or small group teaching. |
Review and Enhancement of Curriculum
| I have contributed considerably to widening the School of Sociology's undergraduate curriculum and syllabus by introducing two optional modules, American Society and (together with my colleague, Ronnie. G. Moore) Social Anthropology. Both modules are highly popular and attract between 100-150 students each year (not just from sociology). I also teach a master's theory module. In all my courses I try to be as international and comparative as possible, mostly by assigning readings and through encouraging discussions that have a strong international and comparative component. I designed a new Cultural Sociology MA that will start in 2012/13. This will include three new courses (Cultural Sociology: History, Theory, Methods and Concepts and Cultural Sociology Milestones I and II). What will make this taught Master's degree different from similar degrees offered in European and in the U.S., is its comprehensive approach and internationality. The MSocSc in Cultural Sociology intends not to be limited to the analysis of a single continent, country, nation or language group. Ireland, and increasingly diverse and multicultural Dublin and UCD in particular, are ideally situated not only to span and cover the continents of Europe and America but to reach out beyond these. Forming local minds is indeed one of UCD's slogans and priorities; however, such formative experiences need to be understood properly. A new cultural sociology is one of the best tools at our disposal to do just that. |
Developing as a Teacher
| I have taught in various countries and at various levels in a variety of institutional settings ranging from introductory courses for first year students to highly specialised MA courses at Centers of Excellence. The group-size varied from small-size tutorials (2-5 students), which was an institutional requirement at Sussex University, to theatre-size courses (150 students) at UCD. According to a particular institution and its degree structure, I have adjusted the course material, teaching style and assessment methods to the size of classes and other peculiar institutional conditions. Over the last few years I noticed the latent danger of spoon-feeding students. The whole point is that universities require a different approach to learning than schools. The question is to get the balance right between facilitating learning and fostering independent thinking. While standardized textbooks and pre-fabricated learning packs make less demands in terms of resources they can sometimes become a major hindrance by preventing the development or the autonomy of the individual student or the capacity to judge independently. To get the balance right is often no easy undertaking. |
Innovation & Leadership
| I introduced a new Cultural Sociology MA that will start next academic year (2013/14). I am currently writing a book that introduces European students to American Politics, Culture and Society. |
