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851-0060-00L 2 Credits DR D-GESS

On the Role of Theory in the History of Knowledge/ On the Role of History in the Theory of Knowledge

Zur Rolle von Theorie in der Wissensgeschichte/ Zur Rolle von Geschichte in der Wissenstheorie

No enrolment to this course at ETH Zurich. Book the corresponding module directly at UZH. UZH Module Code: 600G126C Number of participants limited to 15. Mind the enrolment deadlines at UZH:
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:35:41

Abstract

Theory makes it possible to ask new questions, to find new historical material and thus to constitute historical objects of research. But how much theory does research in the history of knowledge need? Or is theory maybe obscuring the view of specific historical problems? And vice versa: In how far does the theory of knowledge require looking at specific historical (or current) events?

Objective

Based on examples from research in the history and theory of knowledge and in connection with their own research projects, doctoral students learn to assess the role and function of theories for research in the history of knowledge and of case studies in the theory of knowledge.

Resources

Literature

Optional reading: - Monika Dommann, Daniel Speich Chassé, Mischa Suter, Einleitung: Wissensgeschichte ökonomischer Praktiken, in: Berichte Zur Wissenschaftsgeschichte, 37:2 (2014), 107-111. - Jens Hacke, Mattias Pohlig, Theorie in der Geschichtswissenschaft. Einblicke in die Praxis des historischen Forschens, Frankfurt/Main 2008. - Donna Haraway, Situated Knowledges: The Science Question in Feminism and the Privilege of Partial Perspecitve, in: Feminist Studies 14:3 (1988), 575-599. - Kärin Nickelsen et al. (Hg.), Special Issue: “History of Science or History of Knowledge?”, in: Berichte zur Wissenschaftsgeschichte 42:2-3 (2019). - Kapil Raj, Beyond Postcolonialism ... and Postpositivism: Circulation and the Global History of Science, Isis 104:2 (2013), 337-347. - Hans-Jörg Rheinberger, Epistemologie des Konkreten, Hamburg 2006. - Philipp Sarasin, Was ist Wissensgeschichte?, in: Internationales Archiv für Sozialgeschichte der deutschen Literatur, 36:1 (2011), 159-172. - James A. Secord, ‘Knowledge in transit’, Isis 95:4 (2004), 654-672. - Susan Leigh Star, James R. Griesemer, Institutional Ecology, ‘Translations’ and Boundary Objects: Amateurs and Professionals in Berkeley’s Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, 1907-39, in: Social Studies of Science 19:3 (1989), 387-420.

General Information

Language
German
Levels
DR

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance
Anmeldemodalitäten, Datum und Ort dieser Leistungskontrolle werden ausschliesslich von der UZH festgelegt.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
seminar Zur Rolle von Theorie in der Wissensgeschichte/ Zur Rolle von Geschichte in der Wissenstheorie (UZH)
**Course at University of Zurich**
  • Wed 10:15-12:00
  • Wed None-None
14 h semesterly

Offered In