In the age of the so-called “Anthropocene” the concept of nature has become precarious. While the term “Anthropocene” claims to depict the human capabilities of changing global geological, atmospheric, and environmental processes, the thus named period at the same time proves the opposite: Having caused multiple simultaneous ecological crises like global warming, environmental pollution, and biological mass extinction, modern societies suddenly experience their often neglected entanglement with and dependence on natural entities like non-human life forms, ecosystems, and geological forces.
In view of these developments, the political character of “nature” and the urgent need to rethink social relationships and practices of nature have become obvious. In this seminar, we will therefore engage with three theoretical approaches from the social sciences that aim to re-articulate social relations to nature: 1) eco-socialist approaches which focus on capitalist societies’ economic and ecological entanglements and their extractivist logics (e.g., Moore, Fraser, Saito); 2) neo-materialist approaches which emphasize the materiality of human and more-than-human relations as basis for a new “ethico-onto-epistem-ology” (e.g., Haraway, Stengers, Barad); 3) decolonial approaches which put into question unifying scientific epistemologies of nature to argue for a “pluriversal cosmopolitics” (e.g., Escobar, Mignolo, Viveiros de Castro).
Previous knowledge of the subject is not necessary. However, general prior knowledge and experience in dealing with texts of political theory and/or social theory as well as the willingness to read complex English-language texts are required.
Frequency | Weekday | Time | Format / Place | Period |
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Module | Course | Requirements | |
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23-WS-GE Globale Verflechtungen | Forschungsseminar | Study requirement
Graded examination |
Student information |
30-M-PW-M1 Politische Theorie und Internationale Politische Theorie | Politische Theorie/ Internationale Politische Theorie a | Study requirement
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Student information |
Politische Theorie/ internationale politische Theorie b | Study requirement
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Student information | |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
30-M-Soz-M5a Politische Soziologie a | Seminar 1 | Study requirement
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Student information |
Seminar 2 | Study requirement
|
Student information | |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
30-M-Soz-M5b Politische Soziologie b | Seminar 1 | Study requirement
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Student information |
Seminar 2 | Study requirement
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Student information | |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
30-M-Soz-M5c Politische Soziologie c | Seminar 1 | Study requirement
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Student information |
Seminar 2 | Study requirement
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Student information | |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
30-MGS-3 Hauptmodul 2: Sozialisation und Bildung | Seminar 1 | Study requirement
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Student information |
Seminar 2 | Study requirement
Graded examination |
Student information |
The binding module descriptions contain further information, including specifications on the "types of assignments" students need to complete. In cases where a module description mentions more than one kind of assignment, the respective member of the teaching staff will decide which task(s) they assign the students.
Requirements for 'Studienleistung' (ungraded academic achievement):
- Regular and active participation
- Writing two response papers plus giving one impulse presentation
Requirements for 'Prüfungsleistung' (graded examination):
- Term paper (according to the respective examination regulations)
A corresponding course offer for this course already exists in the e-learning system. Teaching staff can store materials relating to teaching courses there: