466
Conceptualizing Global Social Problems
Conceptualizing Global Social Problems
Monday, 16 July 2018: 17:30-19:20
Location: 717A (MTCC SOUTH BUILDING)
RC25 Language and Society (host committee) Language: English
The existing coverage on global social problems reflects ad hoc and unsophisticated understandings of when a social problem exists and what makes it a global problem. We find mentioned in the literature a transnational, a naturalist, a constructivist, and a critical perspective. These perspectives and, possibly, a phenomenological, institutional and individual-centered ones, necessarily suffer from a lack of specificity if the subject matter is ill defined. The discourse and language used in the conceptualization of "global social problems" shape the design of possible "solutions" for them, while power relations within and beyond these problematics unfold. In this session we would like to focus on the following questions: Is there a precise criterion or a typology of criteria in use or in need of elaboration which would enable us to identify with accuracy when a global social problem becomes one and evaluate the extent of its severity? Should these criteria be sociological, juridical or ethical in nature or a combination of them? How would these criteria inform the discourse about global social problems? Special attention will be paid to clear formulations regarding the theoretical and disciplinary or interdisciplinary bases of the proposed criteria.
Session Organizer:
Oral Presentations