Fall 2019

Technologies in Political and Social Theory

Listed in: Political Science, as POSC-423

Faculty

Kaspar F. Villadsen (Section 01)

Description

We live in a world in which we are constantly surrounded by technology. In fact, we increasingly relate to the world, to each other, and to ourselves, by means of modern technologies. How do we understand this technological life from the perspective of political and social theories? This course focuses on this problem by covering theoretical foundations that offer groundbreaking and intriguing perspectives on technology in the modern world: Martin Heidegger, Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze, Bruno Latour, Slavoj Žižek, and more. These theoretical positions will be explored in studies of fundamental aspects of human life, such as work, health, sexuality, and management. Hence, the course has the double aim of, first, providing a good grasp of what influential theorists can tell us about modern technology, and, second, discussing ways to apply these theories in studies of different aspects of living with technologies. The latter is meant to be of inspiration for the students’ own writing.

Requisite: At least one POSC course (200 level or above). Limited to 18 students. Not open to first-year students. Fall semester. Karl Loewenstein Fellow Villadsen.

POSC 423 - L/D

Section 01
W 02:00 PM - 04:45 PM SCCE D103

Offerings

2024-25: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2019