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Zentrum Geschichte des Wissens

Universitaet Zuerich

Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zuerich

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Zentrum Geschichte des Wissens

Universitaet Zuerich

Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zuerich

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

Knowledge?

Are you interested in the theory and history of science and technology? Do you want to understand the impact of knowledge, technology and science on our lifes? Do you prefer a writing desk and a library to the laboratory, although being acquainted with experimental research? Are you considering to work in politics, in scientific journalism or within science management? Do you want to make scientific exhibitions in e.g. natural history museums? Our society and the labor market ask for interdisciplinary knowledge and versatile competency; our new Master Program »History and Philosophy of Knowledge« meets this demand.

Since fall semester 2008, our master program at the ETH Zurich offers you the opportunity to earn a special qualification during a two years. You will be able to fully understand and analyze the conditions, practices, methods and consequences of scientific knowledge. We have experts in history of technology, history of science, philosophy, global history, literature and cultural studies who will provide you with the necessary knowledge and analytical methods in order to deal with knowledge today in a creative, responsible and independent manner from a historical and philosophical perspective. The master program offers scientists and engineers the opportunity to reflect on their academic background throught historical, philosophical and critical thinking. Students from the humanities, social and cultural studies can specialize on the history and philosophy of knowledge and gain insight into the natural and technological sciences. The best master students will be given the opportunity to develop a PhD project.

THE MAHPK

Master!

The interdisciplinary Master Program »History and Philosophy of Knowledge« offers professional training in the global history of the modern world, history of science and technology, philosphy, literature and cultural studies. The two year program enables the students to do historical, epistemic and cultural research on the production of knowledge and technology in society (with the option to specialize for example on the history and philosophy of energy technologies, neurosciences, applied mathematics etc.).

You find more details on the official ETH Homepage of the Master Program »History and Philosophy of Knowledge«

Coordination: Benita Cserépy
Dean of the Master Program: Andreas Kilcher

Goals

We live in a society in which knowledge is fundamental. Above all scientific knowledge and technological innovations determine the individual and collective lives of the people in manifold ways. At the same time, this knowledge is often all too complex for laypersons. In the age of knowledge we need experts for the epistemic, economic, political, social, ethic and aesthetic premises and consequences of the production and circulation of knowledge. The knowledge society needs academically trained strategists who are able to analyze different bodies of knowledge and its entanglements. We need professionals who are able to translate scientific knowledge into a discourse which is intelligible for all. The Master Program »History and Philosophy of Knowledge« and its contents are designed to train these competences

TEACHING

Faculty.

Our faculty brings together experts in history of technology, history of science, philosophy, global history, literature and cultural studies who will provide you with the necessary knowledge and analytical methods in order to deal with knowledge today in a creative, responsible and independent manner from a historical and philosophical perspective. Selected courses of the master program are taught together with professors and lecturers from the University of Zurich or with other invited persons.

Faculty and involved institutes:
Literature & Cultural Studies
Prof. Dr. Andreas Kilcher
History of the modern World
Prof. Dr. Harald Fischer-Tiné
Philosophy
Prof. Dr. Michael Hampe
Practical Philosophy
Prof. Dr. Lutz Wingert
History of Technology
Prof. Dr. David Gugerli
History of Science
Prof. Dr. Michael Hagner
History and Philosophy of Mathematical Sciences
Prof. Roy Wagner