Anthropos im Anthropozän

Inhalte

The Anthropocene is a term of the 21th century, it focuses attention on the role of humans as being virtually a natural force. When being introduced the wording was realigned according to the terminology of geology, however it became quickly adopted in a sociopolitical context and also by cultural studies. As a consequence the discourse has globally expanded and nowadays revolves around the question of the anthropos, the role of man in its environment on a global and local scale. This course offers theoretical reflections about the limits and opportunities of human action in an age, in which humans do not only encounter themselves in technical and artistic works, but also in nature. The module deals with anthropological questions and challenges a method of philosophical field work: how can technology- environment assemblages be described adequately, and how is the historical and media dimension to be included. Empirical-based models and cultural studies analysis are investigated, issues such as geoengineering, design with nature, extraction, in general environmental degradation is scrutinized. How become socio- economic and eco-cultural contexts relevant for local realities of life, how do responsibility, participation, or empowerment do play out as action guiding values in this game of transformation. The course is organised around lectures and student‘s study projects; topics of the study project are chosen together and intermediate results discussed in class.