240217 KO Reflection Module (2013W)

The ability to understand and deal critically with scientific knowledge is crucial for a democratic knowledge society and for gender equality. In this course we will deal with the concept of critical science literacy and its different fields of application, like education, museum or journalism. We would like to raise awareness of the historical and social conditions of science and encourage a critical discussion on the issue of scientific knowledge. Central concepts of feminist epistemology like gender, situated knowledge und epistemic responsability are going to be discussed. We are going to investigate the construction of scientific knowledge as well as various concepts of objectivity applied in this process.
Questions will be raised about the relationships between scientific and everyday knowledge. Based on exampels, we will analyse how science maintains and legitimates gendered power relations and how, on the other hand, these relations are inscribed in so-called 'objective' knowledge. We will take a closer look at biological explanations of gender differences and their scientific foundation and popularisation.
At the same time we are going to concentrate on the emancipatory potential of science.
With reference to the field of science communication we will be looking for possible feminist interventions in the enhancement and popularisation of critical gender knowledge.