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What if humanity s past isn t really past? Bernhard Giesen, during his lifetime one of the most prominent voices of German cultural sociology, believed that social and cultural forms that originated in earlier societies have not simply vanished but continue to shape our lives in often surprising ways. Consequently, he conducted his yearly introduction to cultural sociology as a tour de force through the history of humanity. This book contains a previously unpublished script, prepared by Giesen for a series of lectures at Yale University, offering the first comprehensive account of his unique perspective on human history. Giesen examines six types of societies, each characterized by its unique modes of production, classification, circulation, and representation, showcasing their enduring legacy with contemporary examples. Whether you are a student looking for an engaging introduction, a teacher looking for inspiration, or an expert eager to engage with new ideas, Human Societies offers an accessible yet intellectually profound work.
List of contents
Part I: Editors Introduction.- Chapter 01: Bernhard Giesen s (r)Evolutionary Introduction to Cultural Sociology: An Extraordinary Perspective on Human Societies.- Part II: Human Societies: Twenty-five Lectures.- Chapter 02: Introduction.- Chapter 03: Simple Societies: The Basic Patterns of Social Life.- Chapter 04: The Transition to a Sedentary Life.- Chapter 05: Conquest Societies.- Chapter 06: Empires.- Chapter 07: Territorial States.- Chapter 08: Modern Nation States.- Chapter 09: Postscript: Global Regimes.
About the author
Bernhard Giesen
was a full professor at the University of Konstanz, Germany, where he held the chair for macrosociology in the Department of History and Sociology.
Werner Binder
is an assistant professor at the Department of Sociology at Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia.
Kim-Claude Meyer
works at the Research and Innovation Department for Non-Formal Education of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth in Luxembourg.
Francis Le Maitre
is a lecturer in Sociology at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany.
Summary
What if humanity’s past isn’t really past? Bernhard Giesen, during his lifetime one of the most prominent voices of German cultural sociology, believed that social and cultural forms that originated in earlier societies have not simply vanished but continue to shape our lives in often surprising ways. Consequently, he conducted his yearly introduction to cultural sociology as a tour de force through the history of humanity. This book contains a previously unpublished script, prepared by Giesen for a series of lectures at Yale University, offering the first comprehensive account of his unique perspective on human history. Giesen examines six types of societies, each characterized by its unique modes of production, classification, circulation, and representation, showcasing their enduring legacy with contemporary examples. Whether you are a student looking for an engaging introduction, a teacher looking for inspiration, or an expert eager to engage with new ideas,
Human Societies
offers an accessible yet intellectually profound work.
