Advanced Topic: NatureCultures & Sustainability

What it is about

You engage with core questions of Science and Technology Studies (STS) on the separation of nature and culture and critically reflect on the concept of sustainability. In the end you will be able to analyze connections between science/tech, environment and society and work on your own small research questions and projects on NatureCultures & Sustainability.

What you will be able to do

Critically discuss concepts such as ‘Nature’, ‘Culture’ and ‘Sustainability’
Investigate how new technologies change perceptions of nature, culture and sustainability
Assess social, political and ethical questions at the intersection of nature, culture and sustainability
Understand and apply advanced theories and research approaches to the Nature/Culture dichotomy
Develop a relevant research question and work on it in a small project

What the module consists of

Seminar/LectureDelivery and discussion of advanced literature on theories, concepts and research approaches
FallstudienarbeitApplication of what has been learned to examples (e.g., climate change, Responsible Innovation) to structure knowledge
Kleines ForschungsprojektIndependent application of concepts in a scientific project with presentation

Teaching method

Intensive Lektüre fortgeschrittener LiteraturBuilding deep knowledge of theories, concepts and empirical approaches
Arbeiten mit FallstudienEnables insights into how technologies influence perceptions of nature, culture and sustainability
Präsentationen und DiskussionenTraining in structuring arguments and academically defending one's own positions

What you should already know

Grundkenntnisse im Bereich STS (empfohlen)recommended

Assessment

Written workPresentation

You write a research paper (5,500–6,500 words) in which you critically address the Nature/Culture dichotomy and questions of ecological sustainability, apply advanced theories and research approaches, and develop your own research question. Additionally, you deliver an oral presentation (15–20 minutes). The written work counts for 70% of the final grade and the presentation for 30%.

Reading list

Barad, K. - Meeting the Universe Halfway: Quantum Physics and the Entanglement of Matter and Meaning
Haraway, D. J. - When Species Meet
Hustak, C. & Myers, N. - Involutionary Momentum: Affective Ecologies and the Sciences of Plant/Insect Encounters
Puig de la Bellacasa, M. - Matters of Care in Technoscience: Assembling Neglected Things
Tsing, A. L. - The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins

Dates

SeminarLiving in NatureCulture Worlds. Or: How to Care in the Anthropocene?

Tue09:30–12:45
370, Seminarraum (ZG) (2903.03.370)
7× · 20.10.–02.02.
- 20.10.
- 03.11.
- 17.11.
- 01.12.
- 15.12.
- 19.01.
- 02.02.

SeminarThinking, Imagining, and Making Future Environments

Tue15:30–17:00
370, Seminarraum (ZG) (2903.03.370)
14× · 13.10.–02.02.
- 13.10.
- 20.10.
- 27.10.
- 03.11.
- 10.11.
- 17.11.
- 24.11.
- 01.12.
- 08.12.
- 15.12.
- 22.12.
- 19.01.
- 26.01.
- 02.02.

From the current semester, not binding.

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