851-0101-81L  Science, Politics, Ideology: Mapping a Conflict Zone

SemesterAutumn Semester 2019
LecturersM. Wulz
Periodicitynon-recurring course
Language of instructionGerman
CommentNumber of participants limited to 30.


AbstractAs an 'objective' search for knowledge, science seems to be in sharp contrast to ideology. Or can we also find ideological forms of science – thus scientific knowledge under ideological conditions? Is 'ideology', in this case, a form of knowledge? And what is its role with regard to other forms of scientific knowledge?
ObjectiveIn the course, we will look at case studies and theoretical accounts in order to examine the conflict zone between science and ideology. We will develop methods in order to understand in which way 'ideological knowledge' can be analyzed in relation to science.
ContentThe relation of science and ideology has a long and controversial history. And even today this relation seems to be at stake, for example, when critics denounce climate change as an "ideological construct". In the course, we will look at case studies and in this way explore the conflict zone between ideological and scientific forms of knowledge. Based on theoretical approaches we will, moreover, develop methods in order to analyze the characteristics of ideological knowledge in relation to science.