Research Specialisations

Aims: In the 2nd and 3rd semester, students choose to specialise in two of three research areas. They develop the ability to apply and to expand the knowledge they have acquired in the basic modules in concrete contexts of application. They are able to identify and articulate relevant political questions in the respective contexts and to develop their own positions towards them based on their knowledge.
Preconditions: Successful completion of BM A and BM B, or proof of 15 ECTS of prior courses in science and technology studies outside the master programme.
Structure: Two out of the three modules RS1, RS2 and RS3 must be chosen. The respective modules can be done in an amount of 15 or 20 ECTS respectively. The sum of both modules must be at least 35 ECTS. Hence, students should do one 20 ECTS module and one 15 ECTS module. In each module, the overview lecture and the accompanying discussion class are compulsory.

Knowledge and Technology Cultures (RS 1, 15 or 20 ECTS)

Aims: Students develop an overview of the research and practice landscape of the field of Knowledge and Technology Cultures which deals with the different ways in that sciences produce knowledge and how this production both is framed by and frames society. This particularly includes: the relation of different forms of knowledge in society; changing cultures and practices of knowledge production; the role of societal visions and influences in technology development; the influence of technological artefacts and arrangements on societal structures and processes; the social structures of science; career development and mobility in academic and non-academic research; internationalisation and the spatial dimensions of scientific and technological knowledge production; knowledge management
Structure:
- Lecture: Knowledge and Technology Cultures: Central Issues, Questions and Concepts (4 ECTS)
- Discussion Class Knowledge and Technology Cultures (1 ECTS)
- 2 or 3 topically focussed seminars (5 ECTS each)

Aims: Students develop an overview of the research and practice landscape of the field of Techno-Science and Society: Communicating and Interacting. It focuses on the interfaces and relations between science, technology and society, their mutual understanding, but also on emerging conflicts and controversies. This particularly includes: forms of the communication and interaction of science and society; public understanding of science and technology; public engagement with science and technology; public participation; analysis and evaluation of science communication; science, technology and the media; societal perception and communication of technological risks; processes of the societal debate, embedding and shaping of emerging sciences and technologies
Structure:
- Lecture: Techno-Science and Society: Communicating and Interacting. Central Issues, Questions and Concepts (4 ECTS)
- Discussion Class Techno-Science and Society: Communicating and Interacting (1 ECTS)
- 2 or 3 topically focussed seminars (5 ECTS each)

Aims: Students develop an overview of the research and practice landscape of the field of Politics of Innovation and its Institutional Dimensions that deals with issues of science and innovation policy as well as with the changing institutional contexts in which knowledge is produced.
This particularly includes: innovation-, research-, university-, science and technology policy and their impacts; the governance of systems and processes of innovation; the social robustness of innovation processes; systems of governance, quality assessment and assurance in science; continuity and change of scientific institutions; institutional reform movements in science; mechanisms and structures of research funding.
Structure:
- Lecture: Politics of Innovation and its Institutional Dimensions. Central Issues, Questions and Concepts (4 ECTS)
- Discussion Class Politics of Innovation and its Institutional Dimensions (1 ECTS)
- 2 or 3 topically focussed seminars (5 ECTS each)