Bernhard Schär: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016 |
| Name | Dr. Bernhard Schär |
| Address | Institut für Geschichte (GMW) Clausiusstrasse 59 RZ G 25 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | 044 632 74 31 |
| Department | Humanities, Social and Political Sciences |
| Relationship | Lecturer |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 851-0101-53L | Collections in Context: What Do Historians and Scientists Learn from Butterflies, Stones, and Bones? Particularly suitable for students of D-BIOL, D-BSSE, D-USYS | 3 credits | 2S | B. Schär, M. Greeff | |
| Abstract | Zurich holds huge scientific collections. They contain objects from around the world, some of them dating back to the 18th century. This interdisciplinary seminar combines perspectives from the history of science and from current scientific disciplines. What do these objects tell us about Zurich's place in the global history of science? What potentials do old collections hold for scientists today? | ||||
| Learning objective | The aim of this seminar is threefold: Firstly, students will become familiarised with historiographical approaches to scientific collections. Among them are constructivist approaches that seek to understand scientific knowledge not primarily as a system of objective truths, but rather as an outcome of human 'constructions'. Other approaches deal with the problem of how scientific objects are related to systems of power and oppression, namely in the case of objects collected during the time of european colonialism overseas. Secondly, students will become familiarized with how old collections can yeald new insights for current scientists working, e.g., on questions of ecology. Thirdly, the seminar shall serve as a plattform to discuss ways of dialogue and possible collaboration between these different approaches. Students will be expected to read theoretical texts and case studies during semester, participate in discussions with external experts (historians, curators, and scientists), and to write a summarizing essay at the end of the term. | ||||
| 862-0050-00L | History and Philosophy of Knowledge: Goals, Methods and Work Technics  Only for History and Philosophy of Knowledge MSc. This lecture is important as an Introduction to the Master Programme | 2 credits | 2G | N. El Kassar, N. Guettler, M. Hampe, F. Hupfer, C. Jany, B. Schär, M. Wulz | |
| Abstract | The lecture series are held by all scientific disciplines involved in the HPK-Master programme and are meant to acquaint the students with the different ambitions, methods and techniques of each discipline. Furthermore, the lectures should serve as a "helpdesk" and "workshop" for all theses written within the M.A. programme. | ||||
| Learning objective | The interdisciplinary lecture series are exclusively addressed to the students of the HPK-M.A. programme. They provide an insight into all the disciplines which participate in the M.A. programme and their specific demands, approaches, problems and techniques. Subsequent to the lectures, there will be an opportunity to discuss difficulties occurring within the procedures of thesis-writing. The series should provide and secure a substantial, methodological and formal orientation within the disciplines taught in the M.A.-program. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Dates: Thursday, 10-12 | ||||