Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course is an introduction to the sociology of markets and to the sociology of the firm. Presenting a heterogeneous set of theoretical references and empirical studies, it discusses the concepts of markets and firms (developed within the sociological, economical and anthropological traditions) and some concrete (social, economic and political) facts in which there are incorporated.
The first step will consist into defining the concepts of firm and market through some theoretical references.
The second step will consist in emphasizing the empirical diversity of markets and firms. Rather than considering "the market" or "the firm" as a single, abstract principle, the course highlights the various ways in which economic exchange and production can be organized; the constructed character of markets and firms; their materiality (markets and firms are complex arrangements in which technical devices play a crucial role).
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
- To develop a sociological analysis by articulating some theoretical references and some empirical examples related to concrete work situations in firms and market exchanges.
- Linking some sociological knowledge on markets and firms with some fundamental work of classic sociology (such as Weber, Simmel, Durkheim)
- To emphasize the collaboration in a group in order to reach certain goals
- To collectively discuss some scientific articles
- To discover certain English and French scientific journal
- To write and edit a working paper
- To orally present a synthesis of some readings
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The basic knowledge in classic sociology should be already acquired.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The first sessions will tend to define the concepts of market and firm. Then, based on some scientific literature, press review, and semi-directive interviews, the students will account for a concrete market.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
- Full attendance required
- Obligatory readings
- Individual and collective work
Recommended or required readings
The lecture is based on FRANÇOIS P., 2008, Sociologie des marchés, Paris, Armand Colin (available at the library).
The reading of these articles (available online via Cairn or JStor) is recommended :
GRANOVETTER M., 1973, "The Strength of Weak Ties", American Journal of Sociology, 78 (May): 1360-1380.
KARPIK L., 1989, "L'économie de la qualité", Revue française de sociologie, 30 (2), p. 187-210.
TROMPETTE P., 2005, "Une économie de la captation. Les dynamiques concurrentielles au sein du secteur funéraire", Revue française de sociologie, 46 (2), p. 233-264.
EYMARD-DUVERNAY F. et MARCHAL E., 2000, "Qui calcule trop finit par déraisonner : les experts du marché du travail", Sociologie du travail, 42 (3), p. 411-433.
GARCIA M.-F., 1986, "La construction sociale d'un marché parfait : le marché au cadran de Fontaines-en-Sologne", Actes de la recherche en sciences sociales, (65), p. 2-13.
SWEDBERG R., 1994, "Markets as Social Structures", in Neil Smelser and Richard Swedberg (eds.), Handbook of Economic Sociology. New York and Princeton: Russell Sage Foundation and Princeton University Press, pp. 255-282.
BARREY S., COCHOY F. et DUBUISSON-QUELLIER S., 2000, "Designer, packager et merchandiser : trois professionnels sur une même scène marchande", Sociologie du travail, 42 (3), p. 457-483.
GEERTZ C., 1978, "The Bazaar Economy", American Economic Review, May, pp. 28-32.
HENNION A., 1983, «Une sociologie de l'intermédiaire : le cas du directeur artistique de variétés», Sociologie du travail, (4), p.459-474.
SEGRESTIN D., 1987, « L'entrée de l'entreprise en société. Introduction à une problématique de la modernisation des rapports sociaux », Revue française de science politique, 37, 4, pp. 461-477.
SEGRESTIN D., SAINSAULIEU R., 1986, « Vers une théorie sociologique de l'entreprise », Sociologie du Travail, 28 (3), pp. 335-352.
SEGRESTIN D., 1997, « L'entreprise à l'épreuve des normes de marché - Les paradoxes des nouveaux standards de gestion dans l'industrie », Revue Française de Sociologie, 38(3), pp. 553-585.
GRANOVETTER M., 1985, "Economic Action and Social Structure: The Problem of Embeddedness", American Journal of Sociology, 91(November): 481-510.
To go deeper:
KUTY O., LEVERATTO J.M., TREPOS J.Y., Introduction à une socio-anthropologie des marchés, Une coproduction Université Paul Verlaine-Metz / Université Ouverte des Humanités , http://www.canal-u.tv/producteurs/canal_socio_universite_paul_verlaine_metz/dossier_programmes/la_sociologie_peut_elle_ aider_a_comprendre_l_economie/introduction_a_une_socio_anthropologie_des_marches
KUTY O., LEVERATTO J.M., KARPIK L., L'économie des singularités, Une coproduction Université Paul Verlaine-Metz /Université Ouverte des Humanités, http://www.canal-u.tv/producteurs/canal_socio universite_paul verlaine _metz/ dossier_programmes/la_sociologie_peut_elle_ aider_a_comprendre_l_economie/ l_economie_des_singularites
Assessment methods and criteria
1st session: written examination
2nd session: oral examination
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Contacts
C.Dubois@uliege.be