Universität Wien

070087 VO History of Science (2022W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 7 - Geschichte
Moodle

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Details

Language: German

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 12.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Wednesday 19.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Wednesday 09.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Wednesday 16.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Wednesday 23.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Wednesday 30.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Wednesday 07.12. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Wednesday 14.12. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Wednesday 11.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Wednesday 18.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Wednesday 25.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Covid, climate, environment, resources, energy, identity - the sciences are once again at the center of the political and societal debate. What are the implications of these recent developments for the historiography? Do we need to rethink the history of science - its relationship to politics, economics and society? And what do historians of science actually do?

The introductory lecture gives insights into the field of history of science, discusses central problems of the discipline, and discusses new research perspectives. Students will get an overview of important developments in the sciences since the early modern period.

The departure point for each session is a book that elaborates on an important subject in the history of science and puts it in a broad context of discussion: from the history of objectivity and feminist-activist criticism of science, to the role of science in the development of nation-state and colonial regimes, in the military, and in the economy, to current debates about the Anthropocene. The focus will be on a central development of the discipline in recent years: from a history of the knowledge society to a political history of knowledge.

Assessment and permitted materials

Take-home exam (70%) and oral exam (30%). Questions on core texts from different sessions will be distributed at the end of the semester. There is one week to write an elaborated thesis paper (1-2 pages). This relates to a topic from the lecture, includes additional reading, and serves as the basis for the oral exam.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Ability to orientate oneself in the subject area, awareness of the most important concepts and methods, ability to conduct independent research in specialized bibliographies and archive portals, familiarity with exemplary cases; in addition, the general academic capability will be evaluated: Originality of approach, independence and clarity of argument, critical handling of material, nuanced assessment of research literature, depth of research.

Examination topics

Beyond the lecture content, independent in-depth reading on individual topics is expected. Slides will be provided for independent review. A comprehensive Moodle course provides reading suggestions for certain focal points and classical texts.

Reading list

Lorraine Daston: The History of Science and the History of Knowledge, in: KNOW: A Journal on the Formation of Knowledge 1/ 1 (2017), S. 131–54.
Michael Hagner: Ansichten der Wissenschaftsgeschichte. Zur Einführung. In: Ders., Ansichten der Wissenschaftsgeschichte. Frankfurt am Main 2001, S. 7–42.
Rheinberger, Hans-Jörg: Historische Epistemologie zur Einführung. Hamburg: Junius 2013.
Sommer, Marianne, Staffan Müller-Wille, and Carsten Reinhardt (Hg.): Handbuch Wissenschaftsgeschichte., Stuttgart: Metzler 2017.
David C. Lindberg, Ronald L. Numbers (Hg.): The Cambridge History of Science. 8 Bde. Cambridge University Press 2002–2020.
Also highly recommended are current issues of the leading journals in the field: N.T.M., Berichte zur Wissenschaftsgeschichte, Isis, Osiris, Science in Context, Nach Feierabend, Technology and Culture, Technikgeschichte, etc.

Association in the course directory

BA Geschichte (Version 2012): PM Längsschnitte (5 ECTS) / PM Ergänzung: Aspekte, Epochen und Räume (5 ECTS) / ZWM Weitere Aspekte, Epochen und Räume 1 oder 2 (5 ECTS).
BA Geschichte (Version 2019): PM Längsschnitte (5 ECTS) / ZWM Weitere Aspekte, Epochen und Räume 1 oder 2 (5 ECTS).
EC Geschichte: VO Weitere Zugänge (5 ECTS)

Last modified: Th 27.04.2023 13:27