Universität Wien
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180118 SE Cultural Evolution (2019S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 30 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Der Termin am 27.3.2019 muss leider entfallen!!

  • Wednesday 13.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 20.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 03.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 10.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 08.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 22.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 29.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 05.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 12.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 19.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 26.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 26.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 3A NIG 3.Stock
  • Wednesday 26.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Human life (and, to a lesser degree, the lifes of some other species) is heavily shaped by culture - culture roughly understood as learning by imitation, accumulation of discoveries, and the set of practices and range of artefacts resulting from this process. The idea of conceiving of culture as an evolutionary process has an enormous appeal, but there are differences concerning the question of how exactly to conceive of it, and of its relation to biological evolution. From its origins in Herbert Spencer's (and Charles Darwin's own) thought through meme theory and more recent work on gene/culture co-evolution and cultural "attractors", a wide array of suggestions have been put on the table. They currently seem to be the best bet for functionalism in social science (and the humanities). Philosophical questions in this domain concern issues such as the explanatory power of such theories, and perhaps the question of whether they imply a problematic "reification" of culture.
This course is focused on a close reading of some of the classical and current texts on cultural revolution, and a selection of recent contributions to the philosophy of cultural evolution.

Assessment and permitted materials

- Active participation (15%)
- Discussion inputs to 6 different sessions (env. 1 page each; to be submitted by Monday 12PM, in preparation of the discussion on Wednesday via Moodle) (35%)
- Moderation of the discussion in one session (15%)
- Short (but concise) term paper (6-8 pages) to be submitted by Aug. 31, 2019 (35%).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

- Active participation (15%)
- Discussion inputs to 6 different sessions (env. 1 page each; to be submitted by Monday 12PM, in preparation of the discussion on Wednesday via Moodle) (35%)
- Moderation of the discussion in one session (15%)
- Short (but concise) term paper (6-8 pages) to be submitted by Aug. 31, 2019 (35%).

Examination topics

Assigned reading

Reading list

To be announced in the first session

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:36