Science and technology
studies in Munich/ Germany
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Institution: |
Institut für Soziologie der LMU München Konradstr. 6 80801 München,
Germany |
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Contact: |
Cordula Kropp |
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Telephone: |
089/2180-3250 |
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Telefax: |
089/2180-6301 |
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Electronic Mail: |
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URL: |
http://www.lrz-muenchen.de/~Lehrstuhl_Beck/ |
The Network of European
Centres in Science and Technology Studies (NECSTS)
is a rather loose network of independent research and teaching centres in
European science and technology studies. Each centre appoints a local
coordinator responsible for informing students about the opportunities the
network offers and for taking care of the administrative work required for
annual applications under the ERASMUS/SOCRATES student mobility programme. The
local coordinators stay in contact and meet annually on a business meeting, which takes place in conjunction with annual
thematic workshops.
The network began several years ago, initially as a group of universities interested in student exchanges under the ERASMUS student mobility scheme of the European Community, and keen to develop a stronger sense of European identity at the Master's and Doctoral level in this field. In the NECSTS-context the term Science and Technology Studies (STS) is used as a generic title for a range of activities that covers such fields as social studies of science, science and technology policy analysis, environmental studies, (reflexive) science dynamics, sociology of technology. NECSTS shares an interest with the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology (EASST) and with other institutions and networks in the field, in establishing science and technology studies as a recognizable and recognized field of academic and policy relevant teaching and research in Europe.
The NECSTS-network now comprises 16 centres
in 10 countries: Edinburgh, Manchester and recently Sussex in the UK, Goeteborg
and Linkoping in Sweden, Trondheim in Norway, Roskilde in Denmark, Wien in
Austria, CNAM and Paris VII in France, La Sapienza in Rome, Italy, Universidad
del Pais Vasco in San Sebastian, Spain, Amsterdam and Maastricht in the
Netherlands, and Bielefeld and München in Germany. Membership of NECSTS has
been rather stable over the last couple of years, but NECSTS experiences a
specific need for new members in Great Britain due to the restrictions some
British Universities place on incoming students.
One of the most important activities of the network is exchanging students, most of them being
at a masters level, but also PhD-students are travelling within the network.
Although different in emphasis and profile, all members provide a regular
curriculum in science and technology studies. Membership in the NECSTS-network
implies the waiving of tuition
fees for courses attended at one of the member institutions and that credits
earned by students at a NECSTS-member institution will be transferred to the
student's home university. Incoming students are supported in finding
accommodation for the durations of their visit.
Moreover, students are supported in doing individual research. Besides the exchange program NECSTS has a good report in organizing annual workshops, the next taking place in Roskilde in Denmark about "Innovation in Services" (2001) and in Bielefeld, Germany (2002). Finally, the network provides channels for dissemination of information about ongoing research. The network facilitates collaboration and the search for partners for joint research proposal aiming at EU or other supranational funds.
Munich has only a short tradition in science technology studies. However, it can make a major contribution to attribute theoretical reflection and foundation of research in different sts-related fields. Thanks to the presence of Ulrich Beck, chair in Munich, especially students interested in the sociology of risk and of reflexive modernisation will profit from a stay. Additionally, we want to draw attention to our important research program: Since 1st of July 1999 about 50 social scientists are unified in research about the epochal shift in our societies that is conceptualised by the term of "Reflexive Modernisation". Besides specific workshops, presentations and thematic discussions this research program offers the possibility of discussing individual work with competent persons. For further information see http://www.sfb536.mwn.de/.
Theory of modernization, theory of risk societies, sociology of
environment, sociology of science and technology in questions related to
environmental concern
·
Theory of "Reflexive Modernisation"
and "Risk Societies"
·
Sociology of risk, uncertainty and nature politics
·
Environmental studies, mobility studies,
research on GMO and genetics
·
Sociology of scientific knowledge
·
Disability studies
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Beck (chair), Dr. Bernhard Gill, Dr. Marion Dreyer,
Dipl.-Soz. Cordula Kropp, Dipl.-Soz. Michael Schillmeier, Prof. Dr. Armin
Nassehi (chair), PD Dr. Werner Schneider
Studies of Sociology in Munich are divided in two parts: Elementary
courses for the first four semesters give an idea about all important
sociological terms and theories (bachelor level). Having successfully passed exams about these contents
and methodology, students enter their "Hauptstudium" (master level). After five to eight more semesters, they finish their
studies by writing a master thesis (Diplomarbeit) of about 100 pages and take
their final exams. Incoming students by the NECSTS-exchange are only
accepted for the second part (master level).
The academic year comprises two semesters: Lectures in the winterterm run from mid-October to mid-February, lectures in the summerterm start mid-April and end mid-July. In between students are expected to write papers, and work independently. Each semester students can attend at least three sorts of courses that all last 13 to 15 weeks (plus the extra time to write papers):
·
"Vorlesungen": Generally
introductory lectures given by professors for 100 to 600 students. Two hours a
week, concluded with a written exam; the credit is a so-called
„Vorlesungsschein“ which one officially needs to be able to attend seminars (in
case of Socrates students this requirement is waived)
·
"Übungen": A seminar on a
wide diversity of subjects, usually with 10 to 30 student participants and
given by lecturers. Two hours a week, usually concluded by writing an individual
paper (up to 15 pages) which should be handed in four to eight weeks after the
end of the term. The credit is the „Übungsschein“ which students need to be
able to attend „Hauptseminars“ (in case of Socrates students - that are assumed
to be on Masters level - this requirement is waived).
·
"Hauptseminare": Advanced (but
not quite graduate)
seminars on specialized subjects, usually with 25 to 50 students and given
jointly by a professor and a lecturer. Four hours a week, concluded by writing
an individual 25 to 30 page paper which should be handed in four to eight weeks
after the end of the term. The credit is the „Seminarschein"
In correspondence with the ECTS-system students participating in ERASMUS/ SOCRATES program will receive full credit for all academic work successfully carried out.
At the end of each term, the so-called "Kommentiertes Vorlesungsverzeichnis" is published and informs about all the possibilities in the next semester to come. It contains brief information about content and references for reading lists of the courses and the contact-possibilities of the lecturers. Only titles and lecturers of all coming courses can be found in http://webinfo.uni-muenchen.de/viuew_event.cfm?in=134&sort=type&invoke=in&invokelD=134&cl=2.
Introductory courses to sociology of environment and technology are generally offered each second semester. Beside this every semester are at least given three courses about specific sts-related problems and research. According to requirement specialised lectures and workshops about ongoing research take place. The major part of the courses aim for a better theoretical foundation of the different subjects, sometimes drawing on the theory of Reflexive Modernisation. Incoming students are asked to give a presentation dealing with their current research or questions in the field. There is always the possibility to discuss one's work with lecturers working about similar questions.
Ecology and Politics
The course addresses advanced students. It discusses a broad selection
of issues dealing with explicit and implicit politics in environmental claims,
environmental knowledge, problem definitions and regulation proposals and event
"the nature of things" thereby critical challenging both realist and
constructionist approaches. Starting from a more sophisticated concept of
nature and ecology, current debates in environmental sociology will be exposed
to case studies of global climate change, deforestation, GMO's and local
mobility negotiations. Ideas about "subpolitics", "cultural
politics" and "the parliament of things" will be confronted with
deep ecology issues as well as with classic political problem solutions. For
every session students are expected to read and prepare one or two texts of
about hundred pages. Furthermore they are asked to chair the session by giving
a concise presentation and conducting the discussion. The credits require a
regular preparation and presence, the preparation of the presentation joint
with a short handout, and after the course an independent 25 to 30 page paper
discussing special aspects of the main subject.
Gives an introduction to the ways in which sociology tries to fill the
technological deficit and conceptualise the way in which technology and society
interrelate. Based on historical work of authors as Mumford and Schelsky, and
empirical research on technology in everyday life, science and business, a
specifically sociological ways of analysing technology are outlined. The course
presents and discusses the major themes in the specialization of sociology of
technology and gives students the chance to get acquainted with the subject
matter they are expected to be able to discuss at a more sophisticated level
during the so called „Hauptseminars“. For every session students are expected
to read one text of up to forty pages (either in German or English) in
preparation. Each weeks two or more students are asked to moderate the session
(includes giving a presentation, mediating the discussion). The credits require
a regular presence and the preparation of a paper (either in German or English)
after the course has ended or alternatively during the last session.