Universität Wien
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070211 SE Research Seminar - The Cybernetic Revolution from a Global History Perspective (2021W)

10.00 ECTS (4.00 SWS), SPL 7 - Geschichte
Continuous assessment of course work
REMOTE

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Thursday 07.10. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß
  • Thursday 14.10. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß
  • Thursday 21.10. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß
  • Thursday 28.10. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß
  • Thursday 04.11. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß
  • Thursday 11.11. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß
  • Thursday 18.11. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß
  • Thursday 25.11. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß
  • Thursday 02.12. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß
  • Thursday 09.12. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß
  • Thursday 16.12. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß
  • Thursday 13.01. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß
  • Thursday 20.01. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß
  • Thursday 27.01. 09:00 - 12:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum WISO 1 (ZG1O2.28) Hauptgebäude, Stiege 6 Zwischengeschoß

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Cybernetic revolution (often: Industry 4.0.) refers to the transition into a post-industrial age, characterized by complex computerized network, artificial intelligence and a new relationship between humans and machines. Platforms coordinate jobs and work-flows, data replace major raw materials, algorithms take over decision-making processes. Leading sectors of the industrial age give way to branches: medicine, additive, nano, bio, robo, information and cognitive sectors (MANBRIC). They are supposed to pave the way to a new business cycle (Kondratiev cycle) as well as a new production regime (Cybernetic principle) – with long-lasting consequences for what it means to be a human: work, communication, identity, life. This is the moment for societies to discuss and decide how much and which digitalization is helpful, how big data can be kept under control and how democracy, human dignity and participation should look like under cybernetic conditions.
The seminar aims at embedding ongoing transitions into long-term and comparative perspectives at a moment, when fundamental changes are under way and social scientists are challenged to contribute to shaping the future. How do current developments relate to long-term-cyclical patterns and trends? Which were the major historical turnarounds which can serve as points of comparison? Which are the dynamics of change and who are the relevant actors? What is the meaning of core and periphery in in a world characterized by shifting hegemonies and growing social and regional gaps? Are new hegemons on the rise? Does business governance and its interplay with state-power allow democratic participation? We face wide-spread delegitimation of democracy on the one hand and a wide-spread believe in technological solutionism on the other hand. Can we conceive a new cycle of capital accumulation without a war? Will the cybernetic revolution kick off a consolidation of crises-shaken global capitalism? Will it give way to distopian shocks and chaos? Or will it – directly or indirectly – open space for a more social, more inclusive world-order respecting both humans and nature? If yes, under which political conditions, on which technlogical level?
It is quite obvious that these questions are too broad to be all adressed in a seminar or even answered by the participants. The seminar encourages taking part in shaping the discussion for the future development of mankind in a moment of fundamental change. How do we embedd today’s events and developments into long term cycles and trends of human history? Existing models of assessing the history of mankind require being confronted and tested in front of different social, sectoral and regional interests and perspectives, in case-studies and personal observations.

Assessment and permitted materials

Requirements:
Regular attendence (max. 2 absences)
Participation in discussions of texts, concepts, feedbacks
Openness to work in groups
Oral presentation of results (with ppp or handout)
Seminar paper (appr. 20 pages per person)
Consultation with advisor/s on request

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Deliveries:
Literature review, development of a research proposal, cooperation in seminar groups, presentation of results, feed-back to other proposals and presentations, final written seminar paper.
Grading:
Grading: Min. 36 points, max. 70 points
Essay on required reading 5 points
Concept 5 points
Class presentation 20 points
Written seminar paper 30 points
Active participation in discussions 10 points

36-43 points = 4
44-52 = 3
53-61 = 2
62-70 = 1

Examination topics

Reading list

Common readings will be announced in the first unit.

Association in the course directory

MA Globalgeschichte und Global Studies
MA Geschichte: Schwerpunkt Globalgeschichte

Last modified: Fr 12.05.2023 00:14