Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

GESS Science in Perspective Information
Only the topics listed in this paragraph can be chosen as GESS Science in Perspective.
Further below you will find the "type B courses Reflections about subject specific methods and content" as well as the language courses.

6 ECTS need to be acquired during the BA and 2 ECTS during the MA

Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.
Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence
Suitable for all students
Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.
Science Research
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
851-0157-00LMind and BrainW3 credits2VM. Hagner
AbstractIn the last 2500 years, the mind-brain relationship has been articulated in various ways. In these lectures, I will explore the scientific and philosophical aspects of this relationship in the context of relevant cultural, historical and technological processes, with a focus on the modern neurosciences, but I will also discuss works of art and literature.
ObjectiveBy the end of this lecture, students should be familiar with essential positions in the scientific and philosophical treatment of questions relating the mind to the brain. It should also become clear that some of the most relevant problems in current neurosciences have a long history.
ContentAccording to a myth, the ancient Greek philosopher Democrit dissected animals, because he was in search of the seat of the soul. Current neuoscientists use neuroimaging techniques like functional magnetic-resonance-tomography in order to localize cognitive and emotional qualities in the brain. Between these two dates lies a history of 2500 years, in which the relationship between the mind and the brain has been defined in various ways. Starting with ancient and medieval theories, the lecture will have its focus on modern theories from the nineteenth century onward. I will discuss essential issues in the history of the neurosciences such as localization theories, the neuron doctrine, reflex theory, theories of emotions, neurocybernetics and the importance of visualizing the brain and its parts, but I will also include works of art and literature.
851-0157-66LWho was Sigmund Freud?W3 credits2SM. Hagner
AbstractThis seminar is devoted to the introduction into the ideas and concepts of one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. We will read selected texts by Freud for getting an overview over his medical, psychological and cultural thinking.
Objective30 years ago it would have been bizarre to ask the question: Who was Sigmund Freud? The influence of psychoanalysis on twentieth century thinking was taken for granted even by those ones who rejected Freud's ideas. In contrast, the question today would be: What are Freud's central theories? We will tackle this question in the seminar and reconstruct Freud's thinking from his early medical writings to those writings, in which he developed a critical view of his time. The aim of the seminar is not only to understand Freud's thinking in historical context, but also to reflect, what it could mean to us in early twentyfirst century.
851-0158-08LThe Parliament of Things. Bruno Latour and the Sociology of ScienceW3 credits1SH. von Sass
AbstractBruno Latour (* 1947) is one of the most important contemporary sociologist of science. He enriched our understanding of what a scientific fact is and how we get to it, i.e. how it is made up, not only discovered. Latour defends a constructivist approach with realist elements. What that exactly means, will be clarified in this course.
Objective- Introduction into the sociology of science of Bruno Latour, esp. the Agent/Network/Theory.

- Understanding main topics of sociology and philosophy of science.
851-0157-67LCreativity Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 40.
W3 credits2SM. Wulz, V. Wolff
AbstractBeing creative may appear to be the most important requirement of the present age: creative thinking, start-ups, project development all seem to promise an ongoing innovation of work and life. Instead of repeating that promise once again, this course asks for the historical conditions of discourses of creativity.
ObjectiveWe will deal with historical and contemporary theories of inventive imagination, fantasy, and creativity. Looking at artistic, psychological, pedagogical, economic, and entrepreneurial discourses of creativity from the 18th to the 21st century we will discuss their specific contexts in order to uncover historical differences and changes. Is it indeed possible to identify conjunctions between the economicization, scientification and normalization of creativity? Are there any alternatives to the reigning paradigm of creativity? And if so, what are those?
851-0157-68LPublish or Perish, 1800-2016: On the History of Scientific PublishingW3 credits2SN. Guettler, M. Stadler
AbstractThis seminar deals with the past, present, and imaginary futures of scientific publishing. We shall discuss the origins and trajectories of specific formats, conventions, and genres as well as examine exemplary historical developments as regards scientific publishing and associated cultures of science.
ObjectiveThe technological upheavals wrought by the "digital age" have put the subject of scientific publishing on the map (again). Open access, copyright, or print-on-demand are just a few of the buzzwords that have defined controversies in recent years. The aim of this seminar is assist students in developing critical perspectives on these contempory debates - by learning about the history of scientific publishing, including the role of specific publishers and journals, the footnote, or the malleable nature of authorship.
851-0157-69LHistory of Astronomy Restricted registration - show details
Particularly suitable for students of D-ERDW, D-MATH, D-PHYS
Die Veranstaltung ist ausgebucht
W3 credits2SS. Mastorakou
AbstractThe course is designed to provide an overview of the astronomical developments from the ancient Greek world to the 16th century. We are going to use primary sources tackling historical, technical and philosophical questions. Special attention will be paid to the dramatic change in the way people understood the structure of the heavens and the nature of the physical world.
ObjectiveThe course aims at providing a working knowledge of astronomy and cosmology from the ancient world to the 16th century. Upon its completion the students will be able to describe how our knowledge of the heavens changed from Aristotle's system to the Copernican Revolution. In addition, they will also have acquired an appreciation of the debates about man's place in the cosmos and the philosophical principles underpinning cosmology.
851-0157-70LThe Mathematics of Scientific Racism Restricted registration - show details W2 credits1SA. Teicher
AbstractHow did racial scientists determine racial affiliation? In the seminar we will examine the practical challenges and eventual works of physical anthropologists from 1850 to the present. By scrutinizing the scientific toolbox of racial scientists, we will reveal how national affiliation, anti-Semitic perceptions and Gender identity shaped scholars' choices of graphical and computational methods.
ObjectiveThe aim of the course is to analyze the mutual relations between scientific theories and social perceptions, and to follow the formation of the "scientific mind". The course focuses on racial scientists and on the way their practices of computation and statistical analysis influenced their world-views - and vice versa. The students will be instructed on the way historians of science analyze scientific sources. They will gain a better understanding of the complexities of disciplinary dynamics, social biases and institutional pressures shaping scientific ideas, and learn on the influences such scientific ideas may have on the society as a whole.
Prerequisites / NoticePlease note that the seminar will be held in English and most texts will be in English. However, a small portion of the reading material will be in German.
701-0771-00LEnvironmental Conciousness and Public Relations Information Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 60.

Sign in until 29.09.2016.

Please describe your expectations. Why do want to attend this special topic? Do you have any pre-information about the integral model? Do you have any practical experience in environmental communication?
W2 credits2GR. Locher Van Wezemael
Abstract"Environmental Conciousness and Public Relations" shows how to communicate about environment and sustainability successfully. We look at campaigns, exhibitions and other public relations measures to learn, how to design and realize good communication.
ObjectiveYou learn how to handle tools and concepts in environmental communication. And you can evaluate communication projects. We also discuss the evolution of consciousness.
Content- Methods and tools in environmental communication.
- Marketing mix
- Examples of campaigns, events, print products, media relations.
- Integral sustainability
Lecture notesHandouts
Literature- Integral Vision; Ken Wilber, 2005
Prerequisites / NoticeWe will discuss new trends in environmental communication with the focus on integral solutions.
851-0158-07LWorldviews in ConflictW3 credits2VW. A. Stahel, H. von Sass, C. aus der Au Heymann
AbstractWorldviews guide our thoughts and our actions even though we may not be aware of it. They often are realized only when they are confronted with each other. By means of lectures, discussions and contributions of participants, we will examine those worldviews as to the underlying philosophical concepts and their relations to the sciences, philosophy and religion.
ObjectiveStudents of all disciplines shall obtain a basis for their own exploration of worldviews. Prior knowledge of philosophical concepts and history is not required.
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