Biographical Life Course Research

This open access book explores an approach that connects individual and societal processes throughout history and shifting trends in sociological perspectives, influenced by C. Wright Mills' theories of time and temporality. It traces its origins from American pragmatist thought and Chicago qualitative sociology in the early 20th century to the revival of biographical research in European and American sociology during the 1970s. The book shows empirical studies from this vibrant research approach can bridge methodological gaps between qualitative and quantitative biographical studies, applicable to various topics like class, gender, ethnicity, and intergenerational dimensions.

This book is open access, which means that you have free and unlimited access Addresses an approach to study the individual-society relationship in sociological research Examines the history-biography dynamic in biographical life course studies Considers ways of bridging methodological divides in biographical life course studies

Autorentext

Ann Nilsen is Professor of Sociology at the University of Bergen, Norway. She has been a visiting Professor at the University of Uppsala, Sweden, and University College London, UK. The biographical life course approach has been the methodological basis of her empirical research, published in books and articles.

Inhalt
Chapter 1 Life Course Studies and Biographical Research: Exploring the Individual-Society Relationship.- Chapter 2 The origins of Biographical and Life Course Research.- Chapter 3 The Revival of Biographical Research in Europe and America.- Chapter 4 Time and Temporality in Biographical Life Course Research.- Chapter 5 The Future as a Topic in Biographical Life Course Approaches.- Chapter 6 Methodological and Other Controversies.- Chapter 7 Reflections.