Universität Wien
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210112 SE M7: Technology, Power, and Governance: Comparative Perspectives (2025W)

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

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

  • Tuesday 07.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 14.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 21.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 28.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 04.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 11.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 18.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 25.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 02.12. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 09.12. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 16.12. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 13.01. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 20.01. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 27.01. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course explores the complex intersections of technology, political power, and governance through a comparative case methodology. Using China, Europe, United States and the Global South as primary reference points students examine how disruptive technologies both shape and are shaped by contrasting political institutions, market structures, and social imaginaries. A combination of classic theoretical works and contemporary policy debates provides the conceptual foundations, introducing students to key ideas such as techno-politics, infrastructural power, algorithmic governance, geoeconomics, and digital sovereignty. Weekly seminar discussions use systematic case comparison across regions, technologies, and time periods to foster critical analysis, while continuous assessments cultivate skills in policy memo writing, conceptualization, and comparative research. The course culminates in a capstone exploration of global technology governance futures, equipping students to assess how diverse governance regimes and political economies might respond to the challenges of emerging and transformative technologies in the decades ahead.

Assessment and permitted materials

Class Participation 10%
Homework Assignments: 15%
Class-Based Activities: 45%
Final Paper: 30%

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Satisfactory completion of all assessed tasks

Examination topics

Students complete four in-class assignments that assess their capacity to apply the knowledge and core skills advanced by the course

Reading list

Literature will be announced at the start of the semester

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 27.07.2026 09:27