TIK9011 – Science and Technology Studies
Course content
Introduction course to STS.
This core PhD course provides an advanced introduction to Science & Technology Studies (STS) as a research area and an inter-discipline. It will cover selected classic theoretical-methodological approaches, such as social construction of technology (SCOT), actor network theory (ANT) and material semiotics as well as feminist science studies. The course will also introduce selected recent developments within the field of STS, including valuation studies, STS and the study of politics, life science studies, digital STS, infrastructure studies, and postcolonial STS. Mainly designed for PhD candidates whose previous background did not include STS, it combines an overview of selected foundational texts of STS with insights into current debates within STS. Participants will also be introduced to ongoing STS research projects at the TIK centre.
The course will consist of lectures and paper discussions, as well as a site visit and writing exercise. The site visit in the Oslo region is chosen in connection with ongoing research projects at TIK. We will probe some practical strategies of documenting the site visit and writing up observations. All participants will take active part in giving and receiving feedback on each other’s work.
Learning outcome
Advanced insight into core STS literature and new developments in the field
Become familiar with the relation between theory and methods in STS approaches
Ability to formulate design strategies for empirical research in STS
Insight into practical techniques for researching and describing sites
Analyze the STS international journal landscape
Be trained in making your PhD contribute to STS as a field
Admission
Admission to a PhD program is required for participation in this course.
Please note that the number of participants is limited to 15.
The application must be submitted digitally and include:
- A completed application form with the following attachments:
- A short outline of your PhD project (max 500 words)
- A letter of confirming your enrollment in a PhD program
Application deadline: 30 June, 2022. The course is now complete.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Applicants must be enrolled in a phd program, and fullfill the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway.
Teaching
Teaching will take place in the week 19.-23. September 2022.
19.-20.9.: HF-12, Niels Treschows building, 12th floor.
21.9.: Loftet, Professorboligen
22.-23.9.: HF-12, Niels Treschows building, 12th floor.
Examination
All participants must submit a piece of exploratory writing (3000-4000 words) that will be precirculated in advance of the course. For this paper participants are invited to connect their PhD project to the syllabus and the STS literature, especially with respect to methodologies. During the course, participants will work together on researching a site and write up short texts in a guided writing exercise as well as participate in feedback sessions. Based on these two deliverables (precirculated course paper, participation in writing and feedback sessions), the course will be assessed based on a pass/fail grade.
Participants’ papers will be precirculated and discussed during the course week. This piece of explorative writing should develop links between course literature and your PhD project for and/or developing a conceptual STS approach you plan to use in your PhD research (4000 words).
Deadline for submission of precirculated papers: August 31, 2022. Please send your paper to the administrative coordinator, Guro Røstad.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.