230171 SE Risky Entanglements? Theorising Science, Technology and Society Relationships (2010W)

The aim of this seminar is to address the issue of theorising science - technology - society relations. To understand the major theoretical frameworks/concepts characteristic for the development of STS (Science and Technology Studies) is essential on at least two levels. On the one hand, addressing the different theoretical approaches and understanding both the contexts in which they emerged as well as the focus they take allows to reconstruct why certain questions arise at certain moments and in certain places. On the other hand students should learn how different theories may allow to explain some issues better, while they are less "sensitive" to others as well as how they structure our ways of approaching issues that are of concern.
The approaches covered will range from structural functionalism, to linear models of communication or innovation and their criticism, sociology of scientific knowledge, lab studies (constructivism & ethnomethodology), interpretative theories, social construction of technologies, actor-network theory, to co-production theories.