230146 SE Risky Entanglements? Theorising Science, Technology and Society Relationships (2016W)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
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).
- Registration is open from We 07.09.2016 09:00 to Su 25.09.2016 23:59
- Deregistration possible until Su 23.10.2016 23:59
Details
max. 25 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
- Monday 03.10. 12:00 - 13:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien (Kickoff Class)
- Wednesday 05.10. 09:30 - 11:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Wednesday 12.10. 09:30 - 11:00 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Wednesday 19.10. 09:30 - 11:00 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Wednesday 09.11. 09:30 - 11:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Wednesday 16.11. 09:30 - 11:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Wednesday 23.11. 09:30 - 11:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Wednesday 30.11. 09:30 - 11:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Wednesday 07.12. 09:30 - 11:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Wednesday 14.12. 09:30 - 11:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Wednesday 11.01. 09:30 - 11:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
Assessment and permitted materials
A) Participation: 25 points
- Preparation of each session: read the mandatory readings and provide 1-2 questions for the discussion prior to each session (on Moodle).
- active participation in the discussion and practical group work.B) Summary of a required reading: 10 points
Provide a handout (1-2 pages) of one of the mandatory readings and be prepared to give a short summary to start the discussion in class. Each handout should be framed by the corresponding ‘background’ reading (upon request, provided by teaching assistants at their office) and should serve as a basis for discussion.
Formal criteria: The handout should provide a short summary of the text and its key arguments as well as theoretical assumptions for your colleagues. Deadline: Upload handout on Moodle until 23:55 on Monday before the respective session.C) Essay: 30 points
Write an essay comparing two approaches discussed in class.
Identify a research question in the STS domain which is of particular interest to you. You may develop a question out of your particular case study or choose a different research area (in that case please consult with the lecturer). Then reflect on your research question in the light of two theoretical approaches discussed in the seminar. Formal Criteria: 6-8 pages, without bibliography, pt. 11, 1.5 spacing
Deadline: 15th February 2017D) Preparation of a Workshop Unit (as a group): 15 points
As part of the case based learning approach you are going to learn how to apply knowledge acquired in this class by engaging with your case study. In doing so, you will not only better learn the key arguments and concepts of different theoretical approaches but also how to work with them. Each group will prepare 1 unit in which we will look at their case through one specific theoretical lens.
Please prepare an oral presentation accompanied by a handout (1-2 pages) which summarizes your case as well as a discussion of how the approach frames your particular case study. Timeframe: 30-45 min
A meeting with the lecturer to discuss ideas for this workshop the week prior to workshop unit is mandatory. Please schedule this meeting accordingly.
Formal criteria: Please think about how you can engage your colleagues in your presentation, e.g. include short exercises (work with/do analysis of material you have gathered so far in light of the theoretical approach discussed). The last slide of the presentation must list all references that were used.
Deadline: Upload handout and slides on Moodle until 23:55 on Monday before the respective session.E) Research Exposé (as a group): 20 points
Pick one or two theoretical approaches discussed in the course and apply them to your case. Write a respective chapter (Theories and Concepts) for the Research Exposé. For detailed guidelines see Handout 'Introductory Classes Science-Technology-Society. Case Based Learning Approach'. The final exposé (15 points) as well as its developing process (5 points) will be evaluated.
Deadline: 22th January 2017
- Preparation of each session: read the mandatory readings and provide 1-2 questions for the discussion prior to each session (on Moodle).
- active participation in the discussion and practical group work.B) Summary of a required reading: 10 points
Provide a handout (1-2 pages) of one of the mandatory readings and be prepared to give a short summary to start the discussion in class. Each handout should be framed by the corresponding ‘background’ reading (upon request, provided by teaching assistants at their office) and should serve as a basis for discussion.
Formal criteria: The handout should provide a short summary of the text and its key arguments as well as theoretical assumptions for your colleagues. Deadline: Upload handout on Moodle until 23:55 on Monday before the respective session.C) Essay: 30 points
Write an essay comparing two approaches discussed in class.
Identify a research question in the STS domain which is of particular interest to you. You may develop a question out of your particular case study or choose a different research area (in that case please consult with the lecturer). Then reflect on your research question in the light of two theoretical approaches discussed in the seminar. Formal Criteria: 6-8 pages, without bibliography, pt. 11, 1.5 spacing
Deadline: 15th February 2017D) Preparation of a Workshop Unit (as a group): 15 points
As part of the case based learning approach you are going to learn how to apply knowledge acquired in this class by engaging with your case study. In doing so, you will not only better learn the key arguments and concepts of different theoretical approaches but also how to work with them. Each group will prepare 1 unit in which we will look at their case through one specific theoretical lens.
Please prepare an oral presentation accompanied by a handout (1-2 pages) which summarizes your case as well as a discussion of how the approach frames your particular case study. Timeframe: 30-45 min
A meeting with the lecturer to discuss ideas for this workshop the week prior to workshop unit is mandatory. Please schedule this meeting accordingly.
Formal criteria: Please think about how you can engage your colleagues in your presentation, e.g. include short exercises (work with/do analysis of material you have gathered so far in light of the theoretical approach discussed). The last slide of the presentation must list all references that were used.
Deadline: Upload handout and slides on Moodle until 23:55 on Monday before the respective session.E) Research Exposé (as a group): 20 points
Pick one or two theoretical approaches discussed in the course and apply them to your case. Write a respective chapter (Theories and Concepts) for the Research Exposé. For detailed guidelines see Handout 'Introductory Classes Science-Technology-Society. Case Based Learning Approach'. The final exposé (15 points) as well as its developing process (5 points) will be evaluated.
Deadline: 22th January 2017
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
The grading scheme is based on a total of 100 points. These points will be awarded in relation to students’ performance in meeting the course learning aims in the different obligatory tasks. The maximum number of points to be acquired for each task is outlined above.
A minimum of 50 points is necessary to successfully complete the course. Failure to meet the attendance regulations, to deliver course assignments on time or to adhere to standards of academic work may result in a deduction of points.Grades
100-87 points: Excellent (1)
86-75 points: Good (2)
74-63 points:Satisfactory (3)
62-50 points: Sufficient (4)
49-0 points: Unsatisfactory (5) (fail)Feedback
Feedback is envisaged for some but not all assignments. If you wish to get feedback where it was not foreseen, please ask the lecturer, your peer or the group and arrange dates individually.Attendance
Presence and participation is compulsory. A maximum of two absences (four hours) during the semester is accepted provided that the lecturer is informed about the absence beforehand. Absences of up to eight hours in total may be compensated by either a deduction of grading points or/and extra work agreed with the lecturer. Whether compensation is possible is decided by the lecturer.
Absences of more than eight hours in total cannot be compensated. In this case, or if the lecturer does not allow a student to compensate absences of more than four hours, the course cannot be completed and is graded as a ‘fail’ (5), unless there is a major and unpredictable reason for not being able to fulfil the attendance requirements on the student’s side (e.g. a longer illness). In such a case, the student may be de-registered from the course without grading. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate this in a timely manner, and to provide relevant evidence to their claims if necessary. Whether this exception applies is decided by the lecturer.Important Grading Information
If not explicitly noted otherwise, all requirements mentioned in the grading scheme and the attendance regulations must be met. If a required task is not fulfilled, e.g. a required assignment is not handed in or if the student does not meet the attendance requirements, this will be considered as a discontinuation of the course. In that case, the course will be graded as ‘fail’ (5), unless there is a major and unpredictable reason for not being able to fulfill the task on the student's side (e.g. a longer illness). In such a case, the student may be de-registered from the course without grading. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate this in a timely manner, and to provide relevant evidence to their claims if necessary. Whether this exception applies is decided by the lecturer.
If any requirement of the course has been fulfilled by fraudulent means, be it for example by cheating at an exam, plagiarizing parts of a written assignment or by faking signatures on an attendance sheet, the student's participation in the course will be discontinued, the entire course will be graded as ‘not assessed’ and will be entered into the electronic exam record as ‘fraudulently obtained’. Self-plagiarism, particularly re-using own work handed in for other courses, will be treated likewise.
A minimum of 50 points is necessary to successfully complete the course. Failure to meet the attendance regulations, to deliver course assignments on time or to adhere to standards of academic work may result in a deduction of points.Grades
100-87 points: Excellent (1)
86-75 points: Good (2)
74-63 points:Satisfactory (3)
62-50 points: Sufficient (4)
49-0 points: Unsatisfactory (5) (fail)Feedback
Feedback is envisaged for some but not all assignments. If you wish to get feedback where it was not foreseen, please ask the lecturer, your peer or the group and arrange dates individually.Attendance
Presence and participation is compulsory. A maximum of two absences (four hours) during the semester is accepted provided that the lecturer is informed about the absence beforehand. Absences of up to eight hours in total may be compensated by either a deduction of grading points or/and extra work agreed with the lecturer. Whether compensation is possible is decided by the lecturer.
Absences of more than eight hours in total cannot be compensated. In this case, or if the lecturer does not allow a student to compensate absences of more than four hours, the course cannot be completed and is graded as a ‘fail’ (5), unless there is a major and unpredictable reason for not being able to fulfil the attendance requirements on the student’s side (e.g. a longer illness). In such a case, the student may be de-registered from the course without grading. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate this in a timely manner, and to provide relevant evidence to their claims if necessary. Whether this exception applies is decided by the lecturer.Important Grading Information
If not explicitly noted otherwise, all requirements mentioned in the grading scheme and the attendance regulations must be met. If a required task is not fulfilled, e.g. a required assignment is not handed in or if the student does not meet the attendance requirements, this will be considered as a discontinuation of the course. In that case, the course will be graded as ‘fail’ (5), unless there is a major and unpredictable reason for not being able to fulfill the task on the student's side (e.g. a longer illness). In such a case, the student may be de-registered from the course without grading. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate this in a timely manner, and to provide relevant evidence to their claims if necessary. Whether this exception applies is decided by the lecturer.
If any requirement of the course has been fulfilled by fraudulent means, be it for example by cheating at an exam, plagiarizing parts of a written assignment or by faking signatures on an attendance sheet, the student's participation in the course will be discontinued, the entire course will be graded as ‘not assessed’ and will be entered into the electronic exam record as ‘fraudulently obtained’. Self-plagiarism, particularly re-using own work handed in for other courses, will be treated likewise.
Examination topics
Reading list
Association in the course directory
Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:39
The principal aim of the introductory seminar is to chart the theoretical landscape of STS, its key concerns and major approaches. Therefore, the seminar combines a comprehensive overview of theorising in STS and a more focused presentation of leading approaches in the field. The seminar will also contextualize theories in STS in history - in what contexts and along which problems they have emerged. What do these approaches have in common? Where do they differ? To have these questions answered, the seminar discusses seminal texts in STS, whilst making explicit their background assumptions. Special attention will be devoted to the latter task, as the seminar is designed for newcomers to STS and students of various disciplinary backgrounds.
The didactic aim of the seminar, then, is to promote clarity and create confidence in working with theoretical concepts in STS. The theoretical approaches covered range from structural functionalism, the ‘strong programme' in the sociology of scientific knowledge, social constructivism to interpretative theories, actor-network theory, feminist and postcolonial science studies and co-production.