Teacher(s)
Language
French
Prerequisites
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| The course aims at giving the students some guidelines about how historical sociology could be applied to the European integration. A first part is dedicated to the intellectual origins and methodological founding of the approach. It consists then essentially in the reading of chapters by classical authors or of more recent papers on different European political and sociological topics. The third and last part is devoted to more specific issues and debates, such as legitimacy issues, identities and resistances to Europe for instance, or the question of the comparison, on the long term, with the political development of the USA. | |
Content
Sociologically speaking, the history of the European Union began well before the signing of the Treaty of Rome, and the socio-history of Europe cannot be reduced to the study of its institutions. This reading-based course aims (1) to familiarize students with the historical sociology of politics and (2) to provide an overview of what the historical sociology of European integration can offer in terms of a better understanding of the multiple social processes involved.
Sociology and political science have not always had a good relationship with historical approaches. However, the state-building processes and the development of supranational forms of political entities are part of very long-term social processes. Recently, a growing number of researchers from various disciplines have contributed to the recognition of the relevance of a long-term historical approach, which focuses in particular on the actors involved. This approach allows for a more detached understanding of issues considered crucial, both theoretically and politically, for today's Europe: Is Europe legitimate? Is it democratic? Is there such a thing as a European identity? What about its borders?
Consisting of lectures, readings, and student presentations, the course is structured as follows (content may vary depending on the choice of texts):
1. “Historical sociology,” a shift in perspective on European integration that revisits the “classics” and takes on new subjects
2. The genesis of the state in Europe: Charles Tilly and Norbert Elias, the war and the state
3. After the nation state, Europe? Norbert Elias, Jürgen Habermas, and Stefano Bartolini
4. Resistance, borders, legitimacy: distancing and case studies
5. Belonging, emotions, identity: the problem or the solution?
6. (De)civilization and nationalism at the heart of the debate
Sociology and political science have not always had a good relationship with historical approaches. However, the state-building processes and the development of supranational forms of political entities are part of very long-term social processes. Recently, a growing number of researchers from various disciplines have contributed to the recognition of the relevance of a long-term historical approach, which focuses in particular on the actors involved. This approach allows for a more detached understanding of issues considered crucial, both theoretically and politically, for today's Europe: Is Europe legitimate? Is it democratic? Is there such a thing as a European identity? What about its borders?
Consisting of lectures, readings, and student presentations, the course is structured as follows (content may vary depending on the choice of texts):
1. “Historical sociology,” a shift in perspective on European integration that revisits the “classics” and takes on new subjects
2. The genesis of the state in Europe: Charles Tilly and Norbert Elias, the war and the state
3. After the nation state, Europe? Norbert Elias, Jürgen Habermas, and Stefano Bartolini
4. Resistance, borders, legitimacy: distancing and case studies
5. Belonging, emotions, identity: the problem or the solution?
6. (De)civilization and nationalism at the heart of the debate
Teaching methods
Description of the lecture:
Each part of the course is introduced by a lecture. The materials (slideshows) are put online on Moodle. The content then consists essentially of readings (see below, the indicative bibliography). A portfolio of readings that are compulsory for all students is made available at the beginning of the course. These readings are presented and discussed by students. The notes of the presentations are eventually put online.
Description of the activities involved:
These essentially consist of reading, preparation of texts and oral presentation of the texts, week after week, according to the indications given by the teacher.
Depending on the opportunities, lectures may take place in connection with the course content. External speakers may also be invited to the course. Their presentations will then form part of the examination material.
Each part of the course is introduced by a lecture. The materials (slideshows) are put online on Moodle. The content then consists essentially of readings (see below, the indicative bibliography). A portfolio of readings that are compulsory for all students is made available at the beginning of the course. These readings are presented and discussed by students. The notes of the presentations are eventually put online.
Description of the activities involved:
These essentially consist of reading, preparation of texts and oral presentation of the texts, week after week, according to the indications given by the teacher.
Depending on the opportunities, lectures may take place in connection with the course content. External speakers may also be invited to the course. Their presentations will then form part of the examination material.
Evaluation methods
Oral exam on the lecture and readings; open-ended questions. Student presentations are evaluated to enhance the final grade, as are attendance and participation in all sessions. In other words, they allow students to earn one to two additional points on top of their oral exam grade.
Other information
Choosing this course implies attending from the beginning and participating actively. Students may suggest reading a text in English.
Online resources
Compulsory readings are posted online at the beginning of the semester. They are supplemented by presentations (slideshows) as the semester progresses and, where appropriate, by additional readings (depending on current events and class sessions).
Bibliography
Bibliographie indicative
Stefano Bartolini, Restructuring Europe: Centre Formation, System Building and Political Structuring between the Nation State and the European Union, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2005.
Michael Billig, « The national nature of globalization and the global nature of nationalism: Historically and methodologically entangled », Theory & Psychology, vol. 33, n° 2, 2023, p. 175-192.
Antonin Cohen et Antoine Vauchez (dir.), « Sociologie de l’Europe du droit » (dossier), Revue française de science politique, 2010/2, vol. 60, p. 223-318.
Yves Déloye, Sociologie historique du politique, Paris, La Découverte, Repères, 2003 (1997).
Id. (dir.), La socio-histoire de l'intégration européenne, Politique européenne, 2006/1, n° 18.
Id. et al., Les remises en cause de l'intégration européenne, Revue internationale de politique comparée, 2008/4, vol. 15.
Florence Delmotte, Heidi Mercenier et Virginie Van Ingelgom, « Appartenance et indifférence à l’Europe : quand les jeunes s’en mêlent (ou pas) », in Alain Faure et Emmanuel Négrier (dir.), La politique à l’épreuve des émotions, Rennes, Presses Universitaires de Rennes, 2017, p. 125-139.
Marine de Lassalle, Parler d’Europe. Voies et formats des rapports institués au politique, Rennes, Presses universitaires de Rennes, 2023.
Sophie Duchesne, « Waiting for a European Identity… Reflections on the Process of Identification with Europe », Perspectives on European Politics and Society, 9/4, 2008, p. 397-410.
Sophie Duchesne et André-Paul Frognier, « Sur les dynamiques sociologiques et politiques de l’identification à l'Europe », Revue française de science politique, 2002/4, vol. 52, p. 355-374.
Denis Duez, « Libre circulation et crise des réfugiés. Réflexions sur le retour des frontières en Europe », in Heidi Mercenier et al. (dir.), La libre circulation sous pression, Bruxelles, Bruylant, 2018, p. 91-111.
Norbert Elias, La dynamique de l’Occident, trad., Paris, Calmann-Lévy, 1975 (1939), rééd. Pocket.
Id., « Les transformations de l’équilibre ‘nous-je’ » (1987), in La société des individus, trad., Paris, Fayard, rééd. Pocket, 1991. »
Lucien Febvre, L’Europe. Genèse d’une civilisation. Cours professé au Collège de France en 1944-1945, Paris, Perrin, 1999.
Didier Georgakakis et Marine de Lassalle, « Genèse et structure d’un capital institutionnel européen. Les très hauts fonctionnaires de la Commission européenne », Actes de la recherche en sciences sociales, n° 166-167, 2007, p. 38-53.
Jürgen Habermas, Après l’État-nation, trad., Paris, Fayard, 2000.
Juan Diez Medrano, « National Identity and the Citizens’ Europe », Francesco G. Duina, Frédéric Mérand (eds), Europe’s Malaise : The Long View (2020, Research in Political Sociology 27, 2020, p. 67-8.
Charles Tilly, « La guerre et la construction de l’État en tant que crime organisé » (1985), trad., Politix, 2000, vol. 13, n° 49, p. 97-117.
Julien Weisbein, « L’Europe à contrepoint. Objets nouveaux et classicisme théorique pour les études européennes », Politique européenne, 2008/2, n° 25, p. 115-135.
Stefano Bartolini, Restructuring Europe: Centre Formation, System Building and Political Structuring between the Nation State and the European Union, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2005.
Michael Billig, « The national nature of globalization and the global nature of nationalism: Historically and methodologically entangled », Theory & Psychology, vol. 33, n° 2, 2023, p. 175-192.
Antonin Cohen et Antoine Vauchez (dir.), « Sociologie de l’Europe du droit » (dossier), Revue française de science politique, 2010/2, vol. 60, p. 223-318.
Yves Déloye, Sociologie historique du politique, Paris, La Découverte, Repères, 2003 (1997).
Id. (dir.), La socio-histoire de l'intégration européenne, Politique européenne, 2006/1, n° 18.
Id. et al., Les remises en cause de l'intégration européenne, Revue internationale de politique comparée, 2008/4, vol. 15.
Florence Delmotte, Heidi Mercenier et Virginie Van Ingelgom, « Appartenance et indifférence à l’Europe : quand les jeunes s’en mêlent (ou pas) », in Alain Faure et Emmanuel Négrier (dir.), La politique à l’épreuve des émotions, Rennes, Presses Universitaires de Rennes, 2017, p. 125-139.
Marine de Lassalle, Parler d’Europe. Voies et formats des rapports institués au politique, Rennes, Presses universitaires de Rennes, 2023.
Sophie Duchesne, « Waiting for a European Identity… Reflections on the Process of Identification with Europe », Perspectives on European Politics and Society, 9/4, 2008, p. 397-410.
Sophie Duchesne et André-Paul Frognier, « Sur les dynamiques sociologiques et politiques de l’identification à l'Europe », Revue française de science politique, 2002/4, vol. 52, p. 355-374.
Denis Duez, « Libre circulation et crise des réfugiés. Réflexions sur le retour des frontières en Europe », in Heidi Mercenier et al. (dir.), La libre circulation sous pression, Bruxelles, Bruylant, 2018, p. 91-111.
Norbert Elias, La dynamique de l’Occident, trad., Paris, Calmann-Lévy, 1975 (1939), rééd. Pocket.
Id., « Les transformations de l’équilibre ‘nous-je’ » (1987), in La société des individus, trad., Paris, Fayard, rééd. Pocket, 1991. »
Lucien Febvre, L’Europe. Genèse d’une civilisation. Cours professé au Collège de France en 1944-1945, Paris, Perrin, 1999.
Didier Georgakakis et Marine de Lassalle, « Genèse et structure d’un capital institutionnel européen. Les très hauts fonctionnaires de la Commission européenne », Actes de la recherche en sciences sociales, n° 166-167, 2007, p. 38-53.
Jürgen Habermas, Après l’État-nation, trad., Paris, Fayard, 2000.
Juan Diez Medrano, « National Identity and the Citizens’ Europe », Francesco G. Duina, Frédéric Mérand (eds), Europe’s Malaise : The Long View (2020, Research in Political Sociology 27, 2020, p. 67-8.
Charles Tilly, « La guerre et la construction de l’État en tant que crime organisé » (1985), trad., Politix, 2000, vol. 13, n° 49, p. 97-117.
Julien Weisbein, « L’Europe à contrepoint. Objets nouveaux et classicisme théorique pour les études européennes », Politique européenne, 2008/2, n° 25, p. 115-135.
Faculty or entity
Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)
Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
