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Abstract
Human body parts have been historically endowed with different cultural values and socio-political meanings. In this seminar, we will consider the histories of different body parts as lenses to critically understand the body beyond its biological nature and its supposed universality and to reflect on the history of the world, with a special focus on the production and circulation of knowledge.
Objective
Objectives are: 1) developing new perspectives on scientific subjects by bringing them in dialogue with the themes analysed and by raising ethical questions; 2) familiarising with the major topics in the field of body history and becoming aware of the multiple ways in which understanding the body and its relationship with culture and power can help think critically of the present we live in.
Content
Students engage with the history of the body from mid-eighteenth century onwards through examples taken from the multidisciplinary scholarship on the body. Emphasis will be placed on both Western and non-Western contexts as well as on exchanges, adaptations and resistance in terms of circulating knowledge of body parts. More specifically, students are sensitized to the historical and cultural variabilities of body parts that challenge scientific understandings of the human body as an unchanging biological entity. Structured thematically and adopting a multidisciplinary perspective on topics like anatomy and surgery, forensic culture, sexuality, physical culture, eugenics, and productivity, the course looks at shifting attitudes towards body parts such as cranium, heart, eyes, teeth, breast, abdomen, buttocks, uterus, pelvis, and feet. Constant intersecting analytical lenses are gender, race, ethnicity and class as well as socioeconomic circumstances of modernity. The ‘long durée’ approach of the course allows to consider the continuities and changes in terms of scientific epistemologies and practices regarding the body. In doing so, debated contemporary issues such as the sexualisation of the female body and gene-editing practices are discussed.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 20
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar |
A History of the Modern World through Body Parts
Does not take place this semester.
|
No time listed | 28 h semesterly |
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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Typ B: Reflexion über fachspezifische Methoden und Inhalte (Fachspezifische Lerneinheiten. Relevant für alle Studierenden, die sich für diese Kurse interessieren. Diese Lerneinheiten sind alle auch unter "Typ A" aufgelistet, d.h. die Einschreibung ist allen Studierenden möglich.)
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