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Social Perspective on Technological Risk, 15hp

Kurskategori Single Subject Course Huvudområde Teknik och social förändring - TSE Ämnesområde   Kurskod   743A06

Mål

After completet the course the students should be able to - discuss the relation between technological development and environmental risks and concern - demonstrate knowledge of the historical and cultural aspects of environmental problems, and specifically write about environmental issues in relation to technology - discuss theories concerning technology, environmental and risks.

Kursinnehåll

This course will present theories of risk and especially theories that emphasize environmental aspects. Special attention will be paid to theories about ecological modernization, reflexive modernization and risk society. Empirical cases that illuminate environmental issues as a challenge for modernity will be scrutinized. Examples will range from efforts to promote full cells to radioactive waste management. Introduction: a presentation of the aims, literature, seminars, forms of examinations and schedule for the course. Seminar 1: Late lessons from early warnings Environmental risks have a long history and the perceptions of the risks have changed radically during the last century. Which patterns can be discerned? Risk perception, risk assessment and its critics In this seminar different approaches to analysing and managing risks will be discussed, with particular references to environmental risks. Articulating and constructing technological risks Different ways in which risk is articulated and given meaning to a specific individual or group will be highlighted in this seminar. Regulating technological risks This seminar will provide an introduction to some aspects of the politics of risk regulating technology. High Reliable Organization This seminar will deal with the theory of High Reliable Organizations and its applicability in studies of risk. Risk Society and Reflexive Modernization Here Ulrich Beck’s theory of the risk society and reflexive modernization will be scrutinized in relation to actual environmental issues and social theory. Risk Environment and Modernity This seminar concentrates on a range of efforts to make sense of environmental issues and risks within contemporary social theory. Ecological Modernization and risk In focus for this seminar stands the influential theory of ecological modernization and examples of the politics of ecological modernization. Radioactive waste management – the Swedish case Sweden is an extraordinarily interesting case when it comes to nuclear energy politics and radioactive waste management. Here we will dig into it and relate it to risk theory.

Undervisning/Arbetsformer

The main formats of course instruction are lectures, seminars and workshops. The latter two formats stress group discussion and rely on student initiative, making them responsive to the articulation of students’ interests. The approach to instruction is to some extent subject based, but a strong emphasis during discussions can be placed on relevance to students’ chosen research interests. Group discussion and students’ initiatives play central roles. Thus, students are expected to assume some part of the responsibility for defining the agenda of discussion within courses and for organising and carrying out seminars and workshops. Students are expected to dedicate full time efforts to the course (40 hours for each 1,5 credit).

Examination

Examination will be based on a combination of student participation and essay assignments. Examined essays will be a literature review and a research proposal for the thesis. Den som godkänts i prov får ej delta i förnyat prov för högre betyg.

Förkunskap

In-depth study of at least 90 ECTS credits (3 semesters of full-time study) in the major subject is required, including a paper corresponding to approximately 10 weeks of study (15 ECTS credits).

Betyg

På kursen ges betyget Väl godkänd, Godkänd eller Underkänd

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Social Perspective on Technological Risk Social Perspective on Technological Risk   Kursansvarig är: Tema - Institutionen för Tema             Dnr: 127/07-41   Kurskod: 743A06           Provkoder: (se förteckning i LADOK)       Ämne: Teknik och social förändring - TSE                       Nivå   Utbildningsnivå     Ämneskod   Utbildningsområde   A1X   A     TSE   SA