Universität Wien
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233045 SE Engaging microbial publics (2025S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 23 - Soziologie
Continuous assessment of course work
We 05.03. 13:30-15:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien

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. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

    Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

    • Thursday 06.03. 11:30 - 13:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
    • Friday 07.03. 12:30 - 14:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
    • Tuesday 11.03. 15:45 - 17:45 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
    • Thursday 13.03. 11:30 - 13:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
    • Friday 14.03. 12:30 - 14:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
    • Wednesday 28.05. 13:30 - 16:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
    • Wednesday 04.06. 13:30 - 16:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
    • Friday 06.06. 13:30 - 16:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien

    Information

    Aims, contents and method of the course

    In the context of a growing antimicrobial resistance crisis, it increasingly recognised that it is necessary to move away from framing and researching bacteria in terms of ‘threat’ or ‘risk’ towards a focus on investigating and exploring forms of co-living. Most bacterial species live alongside humans relatively unnoticed, or benefitting us in numerous, often underappreciated ways (e.g. fermentation in food and beverages production). In recent years, the social studies of microbes has contributed to the recognition of practices in which humans work with rather than on or against microbes, reconceptualising the role of - and our relationship to - microbes in the Anthropocene and opening debates about the genealogies of microbial co-living and the essentialization of 'microbes'. Building on this scholarship and debates, this course aims to explore creative ways to engage publics in problematizing and experimenting with the relationship between humans and bacteria in urban environments.
    It focuses on co-developing a Vienna-based 'bacteriotour'. The bacteriotour is a public itinerary of macroscopic field-marks of bacterial presence in urban locations drawing on field microbiology to propose a methodology that combines sensory methods in public engagement and the walkshop as a mobile. The bacteriotour aims to mobilise the senses - smelling, listening, etc - to spark a collective exploration of the action of bacteria in familiar, urban places. It asks a simple question: can publics engage meaningfully with microbial presence in urban environment through the bacteriotour activities?
    During the course, we will work together to develop a possible bacteriotour itinerary in Vienna.

    Assessment and permitted materials

    The assessment will be a reflection, based on the development experience and the proposed routes, on whether the bacteriotour can meaningfully engage public with microbial presence in urban environment.

    To pass the seminar, students are expected to complete the following tasks:
    Read the required readings.
    To engage with the required readings to develop an understanding of the challenges of engaging public in the AMR world.
    In groups, to develop a possible bacteriotour itinerary in Vienna: to design, plan and do a test walk, visiting the possible locations, aiming to match one location by sense within a maximum 2-hour walking itinerary.
    To reflect on how you mobilized theory and research to develop the bacteriotour and contextualise the bacterio tour in the current public engagement.
    To reflect on whether the bacteriotour can meaningfully engage publics with microbial presence in urban environment.

    Grading Scheme
    The grading of the course is based on the separate assessment of different tasks on a scale of 1-5.
    In-class participation: 25 percent, assessed individually, feedback on request
    Seminar paper (including exposé): 75 percent, assessed individually, feedback by lecturer

    Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

    To successfully complete the course, a weighted average of at least 4,5 is required. Failure to meet the attendance regulations, to deliver course assignments on time or to adhere to standards of academic work may also be considered in the course assessment.

    Grades
    100-89 points Excellent (1)
    88-76 points Good (2)
    75-63 points Satisfactory (3)
    62-50 points Sufficient (4)
    49-0 points Unsatisfactory (5) (fail)

    Attendance
    Please note: If you miss the first session of the course unexcused, you will be automatically de-registered. Presence and participation is compulsory.

    Important Grading Information
    If not explicitly noted otherwise, all requirements mentioned in the grading scheme and the attendance regulations must be met.

    Guidelines for the use of AI tools
    If you use AI (e.g., Chat GPT or similar software) as a supporting tool in your assignments, this should be acknowledged openly and clearly, so that the instructor is aware of where and to what extent the AI tool was used.

    This course uses the plagiarism-detection service Turnitin for larger assignments.

    Examination topics

    Reading list

    Association in the course directory

    Last modified: Tu 14.01.2025 12:06