This course aims to give an introduction to a number of ‘key thinkers’ in and for the social sciences, whose ideas have been influential in shaping our theories, research programs, and research objects. We program a series of guest lectures by experts who will present the thinkers’ lives and historical contexts as well as their main ideas and theories. We will also devote explicit attention to their continuing relevance for present-day social scientists in general and for the participants in particular.PhD candidates