The main objective of this course is to study risk society which emerged at the end of twentieth century. In recent times risk society and uncertainty have been one of the most widely debated issues of sociology. Risks are studied by some other social science disciplines as well. One of the objectives of the course is to discuss the matter of risk with an interdisciplinary approach.

In this course we shall consider the concept of risk and risk issues within sociology of risk. First of all we will closely examine the subject of risk society and uncertainty at the undergraduate level. Although the concept of risk is taken by some other social disciplines, sociological studies take it from risk society perspective. For this reason works of Beck, Giddens and Lash will be examined. A historical path will be followed; from modernity to postmodernity and its discontent. How postmodern thinking eroded and in time destroyed the trust into Enlightenment philosophy, positive knowledge, science and technology. After theoretical bases particular risk issues such as fear of side effects, food, health, technological risks will be studied.