Universität Wien

233050 SE Mapping Controversies, Advising Policy (2019W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 23 - Soziologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

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

  • Wednesday 02.10. 14:45 - 16:45 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien (Kickoff Class)
  • Wednesday 09.10. 14:45 - 16:45 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 30.10. 14:45 - 18:45 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 20.11. 14:45 - 18:45 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 04.12. 14:45 - 16:45 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 08.01. 14:45 - 17:45 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 22.01. 14:45 - 17:45 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 29.01. 14:45 - 18:45 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Public controversies about science and technology have always been a major topic for STS. In this course, you will learn a method to map and grasp the complexity and dynamics of a recent real-world controversy. We will first review some central STS texts on mapping as a method. Then, working in groups, you will learn to use digital tools to identify and map first actors and then issues in a debate. You will reflect on and present the complexity of the controversy in text and image.
Building on this work, we will train a skill that is crucial for STS researchers: to communicate the complexity of techno-scientific controversies to different audiences. Concretely, you will write a policy brief to inform an imaginary policymaker about the controversy you have studied.
This course can be credited as 'additional prescribed social science methods' or as 'individual specialisation'.

Assessment and permitted materials

To pass the seminar, students are expected to complete the following tasks:
Preparation of the readings and active participation in class
Mapping and documenting a controversy along specific work assignments (group work)
Writing a policy brief (group work, individual work is an option)
Keeping a research diary (writing multiple short reflections over the semester about their work progress, including reflections on the group process)

This course uses the plagiarism-detection service Turnitin for larger assignments.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The grading of the course is based on the separate assessment of different tasks on a scale of 1-5.

Preparation of the readings and active participation in class: 20 percent, assessed individually, Feedback on demand;
Mapping and documentation of a debate along specific work assignments (group work), regular presentation of work progress in class: 45 percent, assessed as group work, Feedback by lecturer;
Writing of a policy brief: 25 percent, assessed as group work, individual assessment optional on student request, Feedback in class;
Keeping a research diary: 10 percent, assessed individually, Feedback on demand;

Minimum requirements
To successfully complete the course, a weighted average of at least 4,5 is required. Failure to meet the
attendance regulations, to deliver course assignments on time or to adhere to standards of academic
work may also be considered in the course assessment.

Examination topics

Reading list

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Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:21