Core Topic: Infrastructures & Design

What it is about

You learn how built environments, technical systems and digital infrastructures are designed and which political, social and material forces shape them. By the end you will be able to analyze infrastructures as complex sociotechnical structures and critically assess how users are negotiating design and interface decisions.

What you will be able to do

• analytic reading and engagement with central social science texts
• understanding the historical development of a modern ideal
• analysis of infrastructures as complex sociotechnical assemblages, especially in the context of digitization
• recognizing the challenges of democratizing infrastructural design
• critical analysis of user interfaces and their role in technology and infrastructure development

What the module consists of

• Seminar / VorlesungIntroduction to theoretical concepts, discussion of key texts and contextualization
• GruppenarbeitJoint case studies and discussions to deepen understanding
• PräsentationenTraining in presentation skills and discussion of one's own results
• Schriftliche ArbeitIndependent research and in-depth analysis of a topic

Teaching method

• Lektüre und Textbesprechungto convey central theoretical and empirical insights
• Vorträgestructured introduction to topics and research traditions
• In-class Diskussionento foster critical thinking and exchange
• Gruppenarbeitfor collaborative analysis of case studies
• Präsentationento practise clear and concise presentation of one's own results
• Regelmäßige Rücksprache mit der Dozentin/dem Dozentento further develop ideas for the final paper