WiSe 23/24: Science, Technology & Society
Martina Erlemann
Additional information / Pre-requisites
Note: The teaching format does not consist of lecture & tutorial as announced in the course catalogue, but will be held in a seminar format!
Comments
Science and technology are closely interwoven with society: Scientific findings are conveyed to an interested public in various formats of science communication. Citizen Science projects enable non-scientists to participate in research, e.g. in astronomy or biodiversity research. In special cases, citizens can even contribute their opinions to political decision-making processes on technologies that may affect people's health issues, pose environmental risks or have an impact on social problems. Examples are nuclear technologies, certain biotechnologies or impacts of digital technologies. All these developments raise questions: Which images of science and new technologies are conveyed to the public? How much should the public know about science and emerging technologies? Should citizens have more say in scientific research and technological developments, e.g. on the funding of research or the implementation of risky technologies? Should scientists be responsible for potential consequences of their research, e.g. in risky technological applications? These questions will be discussed in the seminar on the basis of studies from the research field of Science & Technology Studies (STS). Participants have the opportunity to work on selected short projects of their own interest.
close16 Class schedule
Regular appointments