The sociological debate about the relationship between processes of social differentiation and the formation of lifestyles and cultural consumption has gained momentum in recent years. This debate has its origin in Pierre Bourdieu’s important workDistinction(1984 [1979]) in which he analysed the dynamics of social divisions in contemporary society and their interrelationship with the formation of lifestyles.AlthoughDistinctionis one of the most – if notthemost – quoted works within the sociology of culture, only a few scholars have actually attempted to assess the functioning of cultural distinctions in broad scale studies like Bourdieu did.The aim of the SCUD network is to bring together these scholars with like-minded researchers from different European countries. Furthermore, the goal of the network is to assess Bourdieu’s theory through a systematic confrontation with other sociological theories and recent empirical studies; this also involves a detailed examination of other methods applied within the sociology of cultural consumption.

International cooperation is central to this endeavor. Therefore, the network organizes regular workshops and seminars in participating countries.Previous meetings have been held in Aalborg, Denmark and Bergen, Norway.

The SCUD meeting in Manchester focuses on Cultural Legitimacy and Class Domination.

Does a commonly recognized “good taste” exist today? Bourdieu’s class model resides on the assumption that the lower classes recognize the superior classes’ culture (lifestyles, consumptions etc.) as superior to their own. This assumption has been questioned, as many scholars find popular culture to have its own standards and hierarchies. The seminar will explore cultural legitimacy and class domination, the role of public cultural institutions and issues surrounding legitimacy of the human sciences and the arts.

This is a Closed event, Participation is by Invitation Only

Contact: Anna.Schroder@manchester.ac.uk

Further information:http://www.socsci.aau.dk/scud/index.h