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Trust your Curator!? The History and Present of Analogue and Digital information Architectures
Wissen kuratieren. Zur Geschichte und Gegenwart analoger und digitaler Informationsarchitekturen
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:27
Abstract
The curation of knowledge is undergoing change. The seminar covers the history of institutions such as archives and Wikipedia and asks how they curate knowledge and how they present the history of politics, economics, architecture, culture, and nature since the 19th century. Participants edit Wikipedia using research literature and sources from the ETH's Archive of Contemporary History.
Objective
Students learn to understand content curation, storage media, and collective writing as interactive processes.
Content
The Wikipedia entry for “curator” begins with a historical explanation: the word derives from the Latin word for “caretaker” and from curare: “to take care of,” “to look after.” Today, “curating” means selecting, evaluating, and presenting information and content in order to make it accessible and relevant to an audience and for a specific purpose. This practice of selection and care is currently undergoing change, both in terms of formats and content as well as in terms of mechanisms of gatekeeping. The seminar covers the history of institutions such as archives and Wikipedia and explores the means by which they curate knowledge and represent the history of politics, economics, architecture, culture, and nature since the 19th century. Participants edit Wikipedia using specialist literature and sources from the ETH's Archive of Contemporary History. The aim is to improve the quality and accuracy of Wikipedia. One focus is on topics relating to history since the 19th century and on the selection and use of information sources in various formats. During the seminar, you will learn about and apply various methods of curating knowledge. You will work in writing workshops, use multimedia elements to support communication, and exchange ideas with the local and virtual Wikipedia community as well as with archivists. The seminar includes on-site visits to the Archive for Contemporary History, which is located in close proximity to the ETH main building. The products of the seminar will be tested in a real-world context: the contributions will be published on Wikipedia. The seminar addresses ethical and social aspects of knowledge production, in particular questions of responsibility, integrity, and explainability in science and technology. Students improve their practical skills in knowledge processing and develop a deeper understanding of the significance and challenges of knowledge storage and the value of tangible and intangible goods.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar |
Wissen kuratieren. Zur Geschichte und Gegenwart analoger und digitaler Informationsarchitekturen
Veranstaltungsort: Seminarraum Archiv für Zeitgeschichte ETH, Hirschengraben 62.
|
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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