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Colonial Past, Entangled Present: Natural History Collections in Context
Koloniale Vergangenheit, verflochtene Gegenwart: Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen im Kontext
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:31:13
Abstract
This seminar deals with the colonial entanglements of natural history collections in Switzerland. Through a combination of theoretical text reading and visits to selected collections, students develop a critical awareness of natural history collection practices, both from a historical and contemporary perspective.
Objective
Students learn to analyse natural history collection specimens from a historical perspective and to recognise differences and continuities between past and present. This analysis promotes a critical awareness of current power asymmetries that are reflected in the collections and in science more broadly.
Content
Natural history collections in Switzerland comprise of tens of thousands of animal and plant specimens, fossils and sometimes even human remains that were ‘collected’ in European overseas colonies between the early modern period and the mid-20th century. At the same time, heated discussions surrounding the provenance (origin) and restitution (return) of art and cultural artefacts from colonial contexts have gained public attention in recent years. Natural history specimens have only played a subordinate role in these debates, although many of them are still used in research today, for example plant specimens in botany. The seminar aims to counteract this gap. To this end, students will explore the colonial holdings of selected natural history collections in Switzerland. In addition, central theories from global history and postcolonial studies will be discussed. This enables students to position themselves in current debates and to analyse the collections independently. In view of the topicality of the subject, students have the opportunity to submit their work in public formats such as blog posts, Instagram posts or podcast episodes.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 20
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar | Koloniale Vergangenheit, verflochtene Gegenwart: Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen im Kontext |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Wissenschaft im Kontext (Science in Perspective) (In Kursen aus dem Programm “Wissenschaft im Kontext” lernen Studierende, die MINT Fächer der ETH aus der Perspektive der Geistes-, Sozial- und Staatswissenschaften zu reflektieren. Nur die in diesem Abschnitt aufgelisteten Fächer können als "Wissenschaft im Kontext" angerechnet werden.)
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Typ A: Förderung allgemeiner Reflexionskompetenz (WiK-Kurse werden für Bachelorstudierende nach dem ersten Studienjahr sowie für alle Masterstudierende und Doktorierende empfohlen. Alle WiK-Kurse sind in Typ A gelistet. Bei den unter Typ B aufgeführten Kursen handelt es sich lediglich um Belegungsempfehlungen für bestimmte Departemente.)
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