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862-0119-00L 3 Credits MSC D-GESS

Structuralist and Post-Structuralist Approaches to Signs and Knowledge

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Roy Wagner
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:38:06

Abstract

This course will review some structuralist and post-structuralist approaches to signs and knowledge. It will start from the French structuralist tradition, continue with the "1968 thinkers", and conclude with feminist and queer critiques of knowledge that rely on this tradition. The theories studied in class will be evaluated in terms of their application to science studies.

Objective

1. To introduce the structuralist and post-structuralist tradition, as well as subsequent queer and feminist critiques of knowledge (the thinkers taught in the course will most probably come from the following list: Ferdinand de Saussure, Jacques Lacan, Julia Kristeva, Michel Foucault, Jean Baudrillard, Jacques Derrida, Judith Butler, and Donna Harraway). 2. To apply the ideas of this tradition to the context of science studies At the end of the course the students will be able to analyze scientific texts and practices in terms of structuralist, post-structuralist and feminist critique of science.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance
The course workload includes weekly reading (ca. 20 pages), submission of small interim tasks, one oral presentation and/or a final essay.

Registration & Places

Priority: Registration for the course unit is only possible for the primary target group

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
seminar Structuralist and Post-Structuralist Approaches to Signs and Knowledge
  • Mon 14:15-16:00 (IFW C 33)
2 h weekly

Offered In