Universität Wien

210076 SE BAK11 European Union and Europeanisation (2017S)

Policies and politics for a knowledge-based society in Europe (engl.)

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work

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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. 50 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Thursday 09.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Thursday 16.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Thursday 23.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Thursday 30.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Thursday 06.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Thursday 27.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Thursday 04.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Thursday 11.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Thursday 18.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Thursday 01.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Thursday 08.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Thursday 22.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7
  • Thursday 29.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 42 Hauptgebäude, 2.Stock, Stiege 7

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course aims to provide a broad understanding and knowledge about the role of policies and politics in developing a knowledge-based society in Europe. It introduces the key contemporary academic concepts and approaches to analyzing the role of policy and politics in building a knowledge-based society, and reviews the main policies in this area including research and innovation, higher education, talent mobility and regulation of emerging sciences and technologies. It focuses on multi-level policies and politics in Europe including EU, national and regional levels and compares developments in Europe to processes in other major as well as emerging powers e.g. in the US and Asia. Seminar discussions aim to facilitate an in-depth understanding and critical reflection on a broad range of topics, while research paper allows developing expertise on one relevant and exciting research question.

The course will address major topics in current research and innovation policies including:
1. The role of the state in knowledge production and diffusion
2. Shifting power in knowledge production: Europe, US, Asia
3. Austria: Innovation leader in the making?
4. Talent mobility: from brain drain to brain circulation
5. Global knowledge networks: collaboration and competition
6. Research and innovation in times of crisis: sources of renewed growth?
7. What is social and economic impact of universities and how to measure it?
8. Ranking and comparing universities and countries: advantages and challenges
9. Scientific excellence and social relevance: mutually reinforcing or competing narratives?
10. Regulation of emerging sciences and technologies. Precautionary vs innovation principle

Weekly seminars involve reflexive discussions of readings and research paper proposals, team work, data analysis, presentations and provision of feedback. Brief reflection papers (1 page) on the selected readings (i.e. recent publications of internationally leading scientists in this research field) help analyzing texts and topics. Preparation of research paper is supported by discussion of essay proposal and providing feedback on essay presentation.

Assessment and permitted materials

The course assessment is based on the following elements:

1. Active participation in seminar discussions
2. Analyzing selected course literature
3. Presentation of research paper
4. Research paper

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

1. Active participation in seminar discussions. Criteria: demonstrates close reading of and reflection on the texts; providing constructive feedback on contributions from the colleagues

2. Analyzing course literature including preparing 1 page reflection papers on selected readings. Criteria: Identification of the main ideas and concepts in the texts, own reflection, questions and suggestions for discussion.

3. Presentation of research paper. Criteria: Interesting and engaging presentation of the topic, research questions and the main findings.

4. Research paper. Criteria: systematic and consistent exploration of an interesting, relevant and clear research questions using appropriate data and relevant academic literature, leading to robust findings.

Examination topics

You are free to choose topic of your research paper within the thematic scope of this course. Possible topics (to be narrowed down for specific research papers) include (but are not limited to):
1. Discourses and policies for knowledge-based society at European and national level
2. Controversies and divisions surrounding development of knowledge-based society
3. Comparing knowledge-based society in Europe with the US/Asia
4. Europeanization and globalization of science, technology and innovation policies
5. Talent mobility in Europe
6. Knowledge networks in and beyond Europe
7. Gender equality in knowledge-based society
8. The role of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research
9. Political, social and economic roles of universities in a knowledge-based Society
10. Protest movements and interests groups in knowledge-based society
11. Regulation of emerging sciences and technologies (e.g. GMOs, nanotechnology)

Reading list

In this course, the main academic publications and policy reports on relevant topics will be discussed with a particular focus on recent publications and ongoing debates. Selected readings include:
1. Bastow, S., Dunleavy, P. and Tinkler J. (2014) The Impact of the Social Sciences. How Academics and Their Research Make a Difference. London: SAGE.
2. Mazzucato, M. (2014) The Entrepreneurial State. Debunking Public vs. Private Sector Myths. London: Anthem Press.
3. Saxenian, A. (2006) The New Argonauts. Regional Advantage in a Global Economy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
4. Taylor, M.Z. (2016) The Politics of Innovation. Why Some Countries are Better than Others at Science and Technology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
5. Wagner, C.S. (2008) The New Invisible College. Science for Development. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press.
Specific readings will be provided for each week. Additional readings for research essays will be provided as well.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:38