Delivered at:: Institute of Media

Course type:: Elective course

When:: 2 year, 3 module

Instructor

Pisarev, Alexander

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The first part of the course would be an introduction into critical science and technology studies with the focus on the role of different media in historical development and in functioning of science and technology. We will discuss approaches and empirical cases in that field (and partly in philosophy and history of science, new materialism), focusing on the ways technoscience forms our lives and environment, in a nutshell, realities we find ourselves in. It does so by enacting nature realities by its knowledge ant technical practices (in laboratories, surveys) and by implementing technologies. Sometimes this situation is called Anthropocene so philosophical perspectives on Anthropocene will also be in focus. The second part will concern specifics of representation and self-representation of technoscience in different media after the WWII till today - in science museums, pop-culture and contemporary art.

Learning Objectives

To offer students a comprehensive toolkit of concepts and perspectives around contemporary studies of technoscientific reality.
Study the ways technoscience forms actual world as the world of Anthropocene.
Consider basic examples of technoscientific imagery.
Introduce some ways and know-hows of interpreting contemporary media culture in the context of technoscientific imagery.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Reproduces and explains basic ideas of science and technology studies
Extracts images of technoscience from popular culture, popular science and contemporary art.
Analyzes the logic of functioning of these images in regard to ontology of nature and society.

Course Contents

Philosophical roots of medium
Patchwise character of Anthropocene
Actor-network theory as an example of STS approach to technoscientifically mediated world
Heterogeneous engineering
Practical Turn. Ethnography. History of Science and History of Knowledge
Enactment of nature and social realities
Science Museum. Art & Science. Technoscience Enlightenment
Immutable mobiles
Art&Science in the context of transcendental philosophy and science and technology studies
Art&Science as performance of technoscience
Technoscientific human construction
Cerebral subject in pop-culture and contemporary art

Assessment Elements

Class Attendance/ Participation
Homework
Essay

Interim Assessment

2023/2024 3rd module
0.2 * Class Attendance/ Participation + 0.5 * Essay + 0.3 * Homework

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Donna J. Haraway. (2016). Staying with the Trouble : Making Kin in the Chthulucene. Duke University Press Books.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Rosi Braidotti. (2013). The Posthuman. Polity.

Master’s Programme 'Critical Media Studies'

Technoscience and Mediaculture