Sociology of the Intelligentsia and Intellectuals

fakultatywne

A required proficiency in both written and spoken English at the B2 level is necessary. Familiarity with Polish may also be beneficial for reading certain texts.

The aim of the two-semester course designed both for Polish and foreign students is to introduce the subject of the sociology of the intelligentsia and intellectuals. On the one hand, the subject of the seminar will be sociological theory (concerning intellectuals and the intelligentsia elites), on the other hand, the history of specific, typical and "archetypal" examples of the formation and presence of intellectuals in the universal history of the 20th century. Selected theoretical views of intellectuals and the intelligentsia, as well as their role and importance in shaping the public sphere, will be discussed during the classes. The course is also devoted to the formation of intellectual elites in Central and Eastern Europe, with particular emphasis on the Polish context.

The aim of the classes is to discuss the role and functions performed by intellectuals in the public sphere. The class, mainly of a seminar character, will be divided into two complementary parts. In the first one, the roles and social status of intellectuals will be discussed, taking into account (semi-) peripheral countries. At this stage, the most important theoretical assumptions concerning the intelligentsia, intellectuals, symbolic elites and also their role in (semi-) peripheral and central countries will be introduced. This part will aim to develop a theoretical approach to reflection on symbolic elites. Moreover, selected issues related to the place of intellectuals in culture, social and political life will be discussed. In the second part, the course will also address debates around historical events important for the formation of public intellectuals (both abroad and in Poland).

Moreover, a separate block will be devoted to the place of the intellectuals in Polish culture, as well as the special status of the intellectual as a representative of the intelligentsia and an example of the "ideal type" of the citizen. In addition, classes will introduce the problem of the East European intelligentsia, with particular emphasis on the period after World War II to the present day. Classes will be concluded with a critical summary of contemporary directions of intellectual engagement in the public sphere and observable struggles within the elites, resulting in anti-elitism.

The exact list of readings will be given at the first classes:

Part I (Worldly Context)

1. Coser L, (1997), Man of Ideas: A Sociologist’s View, New York. (fragmenty)

2. J. Benda, The Treason of Intellectuals, different editions.

3. Gramsci, Antonio (1971). Selections from the Prison Notebooks. International Publishers.

4. Kurzman Ch., Owens L., (2002), The Sociology of Intellectuals, „Annual Review of Sociology” nr 28, s. 63-82.

5. Gouldner A., (1979), The Future of Intellectuals and the Rise of the New Class, New York 1979.

6. Lipset S.M, Basu A. (1975), Intellectual types and political roles. In The Idea of Social Structure, ed. L Coser, Harcourt Brace, New York, pp. 433–470.

7. Said, E.W. (1996), Representations of the Intellectual: The 1993 Reith Lectures, New York. (fragment)

8. Konrád, György; Szelényi, Iván (1979). The Intellectuals on the Road to Class Power: A Sociological Study of the Role of the Intelligentsia in Socialism. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

9. Gouldner A., (1979), The Future of Intellectuals and the Rise of the New Class, New York 1979.

10. Lipset S.M, Basu A. (1975), Intellectual types and political roles. In The Idea of Social Structure, ed. L Coser, Harcourt Brace, New York, pp. 433–470.

11. Kennedy M. D. (1992). The intelligentsia in the constitution of civil society and post-communist regimes in Hungary and Poland, „Theory and Society”, nr 21, s. 2976.

12. Eyal, Gil, Iván Szelényi, i Eleanor R. Townsley. 1998. Making capitalism without capitalists. Class formation and elite struggles in post-communist Central Europe. London, New York: Verso.

13. Kurzman Ch., Owens L., (2002), The Sociology of Intellectuals, „Annual Review of Sociology” nr 28, s. 63-82.

14. Bauman Zygmunt (1987) Legislators and Interpreters: On Modernity, Post-Modernity, Intellectuals. Ithaca, NY.

15. Denord, Francois, Mikael Palme, i Bertrand Réau. 2020. "Researching Elites and Power: Theory, Methods, Analyses." Cham: Springer.

16. Hartmann, Michael. 2007. The Sociology of Elites. New York: Routledge.

17. Mills C.W., (1944) 1963. The social role of the intellectual, In Power, Politics and People, ed. IL Horowitz, pp. 292–304. Ballantine, New York.

18. Gessen M. (1997). Dead Again: The Russian Intelligentsia After Communism. London, New York: Verso.

Part 2 (Regional Context)

1. Gella A. (1971). The life and death of the old Polish intelligentsia, „Slavic Review”, t. 30 (1), s. 1–27.

2. Gella A. (red.) (1976). The Intelligentsia and the Intellectuals, Theory, Method and Case Study. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications Ltd.

3. Gella A. (1979). The Russian and Polish intelligentsias: A sociological perspective. „Studies in Soviet Thought”, t. 19, s. 307−320.

4. Falk Barbara (2003) The Dillemas of Dissidence of East-Central Europe, CEU PRESS.

5. Flam Helena, Dissenting Intellectuals and plain Dissenters: the Cases of Poland and East Germany, Intellectuals and Politics in Eas-Central Europe, ed. By Bozoki A. CEU PRESS.

6. Palska H. (2009). „Casting off the coat of Konrad”: Polish intelligentsia in the era of system transformation, „Studies in East European Thought”, t. 61, z. 4, s. 249−269.

7. Bozoki Andras, “Theoretical Interpretations of Elite Change in East-Central Europe,” in: Elite Configurations at the Apex of Power, ed. by Mattei Dogan. Leiden; Boston: Brill, 2003. s. 215-248.

Additional Readings:

1. Posner, R. (2001), Public Intellectuals: A Study of Decline, Harvard University Press.

2. Public Intellectuals. An Endangered Species. Eds. by Amitai Etzioni and Alyssa Bowidth, 2006.

3. Misztal Barbara, 2007, Intellectuals and the public good, Creavity and Civil Courage, Cambridge.

4. Shils Edward, (1972), Intellectuals and the Powers and Other Essays, University of Chicago Press.

5. Collins R. (2002). Sociology of Philosophies. A Global Theory of Intellectual Change. Cambridge, Massachusetts, London, England: The Balknap Press Harvard Uni- versity Press.

6. Eyerman R. (1994). Between Culture and Politics. Intellectuals in Modern Society. Cambridge: Polity Press.


7. Bozoki Andras, Rolling Traditions and the Role of Intellectuals, The Case of Hungary, 1977-1994. CEU Press 2022.

After completing the course, the student primarily (K_U10):

- knows the theoretical approaches of elites and intellectuals (K_W02)

- has in-depth knowledge of the most important international and national sociological research relating to the issues of elites and intellectuals (K_W09)

- can discuss selected disputes about the status and role of intellectuals (K_W09)

- can discuss the shaping of the model of an intellectual in the history of the 20th century K_W09, K_U10

- can discuss the role of intellectuals as representatives of the traditional stratum of the intelligentsia, including the Polish Intelligentsia. K_W04

- knows and can respond to the most important debates conducted by intellectual circles in Polish post-war history K_W01

- understands the role of intellectual elites in traditional and modern societies (including knowledge-based societies) K_K08

- can discuss the role of elites in maintaining, constituting and changing the public sphere K_U11

- is reflective and critical towards the problem of social diversity and social inequalities, K_K05

- can critically and reflectively address the issue of intellectuals' involvement in the public sphere and politics K_K03

- has in-depth knowledge of politics and participation in the public sphere K_K08

- has in-depth knowledge of the processes underlying stability and social change and is reflective and critical in their interpretation K_W05

- can determine the impact of group processes on the behaviour of an individual K_U05

- Active participation in classes (80%)

- Presentations’ preparation (20%)

Absences:

- It is possible to have 2 unjustified absences;

- In case of 3 or 4 unjustified absences, it is possible to make up for them after consultation;

- In case of 5 unjustified absences there is no possibility for obtaining course credit.