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SYLLABUS

Social Perspective on Technological Risk, 15 ECTS Credits

COURSE CATEGORY   Single Subject Course MAIN FIELD OF STUDY   Science, Technology and Society - TSE SUBJECT AREA     COURSE CODE   743A06

AIM OF THE COURSE

After completion of the couse the students should be able to -understand 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 - demonstrate knowledge of theories concerning technology, environmental and risks.

CONTENTS

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. 1. 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? Seminar 2: 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. Seminar 3: 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. Seminar 4: Regulating technological risks This seminar will provide an introduction to some aspects of the politics of risk regulating technology. Seminar 5: High Reliable Organization This seminar will deal with the theory of High Reliable Organizations and its applicability in studies of risk. Seminar 6: 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. Seminar 7: Risk Environment and Modernity This seminar concentrates on a range of efforts to make sense of environmental issues and risks within contemporary social theory. Seminar 8: Ecological Modernization and risk In focus for this seminar stands the influential theory of ecological modernization and examples of the politics of ecological modernization. Seminar 9: 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.

TEACHING

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. Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course two times are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

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). Documented knowledge of English equivalent to "Engelska B"; i.e. English as native language or an internationally recognized test, e.g. TOEFL (minimum scores: Paperbased 550 + TWE-score 4.0, computorbased 213 and internetbased 79), IELTS, academic (minimum score: Overall band 6.0 and no band under 5.0), or equivalent.

GRADING

The course is graded according to the ECTS grading scale A-F

CERTIFICATE

Course certificate is issued by the Faculty Board on request. The Department provides a special form which should be submitted to the Student Affairs Division.

COURSE LITERATURE

The course literature is decided upon by the department in question.

OTHER INFORMATION

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Social Perspective on Technological Risk Social Perspective on Technological Risk   Department responsible for the course or equivalent: TEMA - The Tema Institute             Registrar No: LiU 2008/00111   Course Code: 743A06           Exam codes: see Local Computer System       Subject/Subject Area : Science, Technology and Society - TSE                       Level   Education level     Subject Area Code   Field of Education   A1X   Advanced level     TSE   SA   The syllabus was approved by the Board of Faculty of Arts and Science 2008-06-11