SoSe 17: Physics in Context: Post/Colonial Histories
Elvira Scheich
Comments
In this course we will examine the constitution and development of modern science in its colonial and post-colonial context. Our starting point is the central insight of science and technology studies that for understanding the practices of knowledge production it is fruitful to view them as embedded in local political and social settings. Thereby one seeks to identify the means and goals of past science and what were the chief drivers of scientific development. The case studies investigated focus on physics: the world-wide network allowing for measuring the earth and defining universal laws of nature, the building of infrastructures for transport and communication in the ruling of colonized territories, the role of nuclear power in the post-colonial world order, and finally the interplay of local and global contexts in providing energy and power utilizing solar technologies.
close13 Class schedule
Regular appointments