Technology, Innovation, Society

What it is about

You will receive an introduction at Master’s level to concepts and theories around technology, innovation, and their relation to society. You will learn how technologies are politically and socially shaped, how innovations spread, which actors and processes play a role, and what social and ecological consequences innovations have; a particular emphasis lies on transitions in socio-technical systems (e.g., the energy transition). At the end you will be able to apply central terms and explanatory approaches and relate them critically to current developments.

What you will be able to do

• Understand what innovation is and how socio-technical change can occur
• Recognize political and social dimensions of technology
• Apply relevant concepts and theoretical frameworks
• Critically engage with theories and transfer them to current events

What the module consists of

• Seminar + VorlesungProvision of a systematic overview through lecture input and in-depth discussions in the seminar

Teaching method

• Hybrid Seminar-VorlesungsformatCombines lecture input for overview and seminar discussions for reflection and positioning
• Wöchentliche PflichtlektüreFoundation for discussions and exam preparation
• Arbeit in KleingruppenApplication and deepening of what has been learned during the sessions
• Moodle-AnkündigungenProvision of all important course information and materials