230163 SE Science Cultures: A closer look at research-in-the-making (2009W)

The seminar offers glances at the plurality of contemporary scientific cultures and their respective methodological and discursive practices. To investigate "science in the making" we will visit several scientific institutions, meet with scientists and get insights into specific cultural and locational conditions of knowledge production. What catches the eye and surprises us? What seems familiar because of our own studies' background? These are our leading questions on our journeys into "research-in-the-making". After each excursion the opportunity to reflect and discuss is given in respective units. As this is not a reading seminar, participants will have to prepare specific questions for each excursion. Students are encouraged to use new media formats when documenting their on site visits.

The two seminars (230 163, Science Cultures: A closer look at research-in-the-making and 230 164, Visiting "the laboratories" of social sciences: research contexts, methods and questions) have a joint beginning and end. The seminar starts with a short introduction into science cultures and the situatedness of science. Depending on prior knowledge and/or interest, students then focus on the natural sciences (230 163) or the social sciences (230 164). It is possible and recommended to participate in one of the excursions of the other course, to explore similarities and differences of the observed fields, maybe even to defy the conventions of the traditional divide into natural sciences on one hand and social sciences and humanities on the other hand.