Vorlesungsverzeichnis

.Engaging with Knowledge and Sciences (Vorlesung)

Inhalt: The lecture and the variety of seminars series will deal with classical concepts of knowledge and science as well as recent challenges (e.g. anti-realism, new materialism, feminism, theories of power, digitalization, globalization and interculturality). Object of this module will be the interdisciplinary exploration of theoretical foundations and central questions and notions regarding epistemology and the theory of science within the thematic range of all majors (e.g. with regard to differing conceptions of knowledge, forms of knowledge, knowledge production, science, truth, paradigms in the philosophy of science and the transformation of science). This includes an understanding of scientific knowledge productions from a historical perspective and within inter- and transcultural research contexts. Through their intellectual involvement with concepts and challenges as well as with their personal preunderstanding of interdisciplinary research, students will learn to relate epistemological principles from different disciplines and reflect these critically. In addition to that, ethical considerations regarding the responsible position research and science hold in contemporary societies will be of importance during the course of the lecture and of the seminars.

Artificial Intelligence – Understanding opportunities and limitations across disciplines (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Detlef Schwarting

Inhalt: AI (Artificial Intelligence) has become ubiquitous in the discourses on technological, economic, and societal development either as a savior or as a threat, both in the media and in various disciplines of science. In general, it can be stated that AI, in addition to having undeniable benefits and opportunities for humanity in the health care sector, in industrial processes and as a supporting tool in many situations of human life, also presents several existing or potential risks that are equally not yet holistically understood. In principle, an all-encompassing investigation would be called for that weighs benefits against risks and assesses them with a view to future developments. In fact, many discussions on the topic pick out individual aspects of the technology or individual applications and derive normative judgments. The assumptions made and their origins are often not clear. Many studies approach the topic from a mono-disciplinary perspective. It is the objective of this seminar of overcoming this by taking a cross-disciplinary view on AI’s functionality, opportunities, limitations, and shortcomings as a basis for further normative conclusions which will be detailed on a follow-on seminar. Some of the key questions that will be discussed in this seminar: • How does what computer scientists call "artificial intelligence" come into being? What are the mechanisms of action, how does cognition and judgment of AI come about? • What is natural intelligence, what does the intelligence theory of psychology tell us about it, and what clues does this provide for the understanding the limitations of artificial intelligence? • What is creativity and can AI ever be creative (in the human sense)? • What insights arise from the centuries-long discussions of the philosophy of mind, especially on the body-soul problem and on human consciousness for the classification of artificial intelligence? • Can human consciousness be "naturalized"? • What does science know about the functioning of the human brain and especially about the emergence of consciousness? • Does AI have free will and is the hypothesis that the human brain is determined plausible? • What is autonomy and is AI truly autonomous? • Can AI assume responsibility? • How does AI affect individuality of humans? • Does it affect human dignity? How?

Critical Management Studies in the Digital Age (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Stefanie Habersang

Inhalt: Digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), have become ubiquitous in the management of organizations, transforming the way work is performed and managed. For instance, AI systems are used to screen job applicants, manage supply chains, and optimize production processes. However, the adoption of digital technologies has also given rise to a range of social, ethical, and political concerns. For example, facial recognition technologies have been used to surveil and control minority populations, and the use of digital technologies has also been associated with job displacement, precarious work, and growing income inequality. In recent years, scholars and practitioners alike have raised concerns about the social, ethical, and political implications of these changes. Kate Crawford's "Atlas of AI" illustrates how AI systems are not neutral, but rather shaped by the values, biases, and interests of those who design and deploy them. Similarly, Shoshana Zuboff's "Surveillance Capitalism" highlights how digital platforms, such as Facebook and Google, extract and exploit personal data for profit, raising significant concerns about privacy, autonomy, and democracy. As such, there is a pressing need to critically examine the impact of digitalization on management practices and the world of work.These and other issues are at the heart of Critical Management Studies (CMS). This course, therefore, focuses on the often untold and hidden stories of management and organizations, and the approach I apply here is embedded in the tradition of CMS. CMS has emerged over the last twenty years as a field that problematizes and critically reflects upon mainstream managerial theories and practices. Scholars attuned to CMS have adopted a broad variety of theoretical stances from the social science such as critical theory, post-modernism, social constructivism, critical realism, and others. CMS develops more reflexive perspectives that should help students and managers to better understand and challenge tacit assumptions, and, in the end, improve management and organizations. This course is organized as a seminar. This means that in practice students will play a very active role by being prepared before coming to class, presenting their thoughts on specific topics, and raising critical questions. It is imperative for you as a student to have read the required readings before coming to class. Class discussion will be used to explore theoretical as well as practical business implications from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Design Science Research: Knowledge Production through Organizational Intervention (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Markus Zimmer

Inhalt: Note: This is a global classroom seminar between Leuphana University and University of Turku. We often assume that knowledge stems from observations which we describe and seek to explain. However, researchers can also produce knowledge through designing solutions for organizational problems. Imagine you could solve practical problems while contributing both knowledge about the problem and the designed solution. Design science research promises this prospect. Design science research comprises multiple research activities comprising problem understanding, suggesting designs based on existing knowledge, developing a solution and evaluating this solution. Hence, when designing an artefact and applying it to the studied problem in an organizational intervention, researchers can create different types of knowledge about the actual design, the intervention’s efficacy (i.e., does it solve the problem) and the research process. With this prospect, design science research can contribute to practice and research. This double-contribution makes it a perfect method for solving the problems of our time. For example, how can organizations become sustainable? In this seminar, we'll discuss the methodological and philosophical foundations of design science research. In groups, you’ll be designing an artifact for a potential intervention in an actual company. This means, the seminar involves guest lectures and working on real cases as well as reading scientific papers. Further, you’ll be working in international groups comprising students from Leuphana University and the University of Turku. Jointly, you’ll learn the ropes of design science research – a potential methodology for your master’s thesis – and its foundations in the philosophy of science.

Designing for Future Impact: End-User Integration, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Steffen Farny, Svenja Rehwinkel

Inhalt: Typically, end users or “consumers” are perceived as adopters of sustainable products and services, developed by companies. Thus, a lot of attention is paid to the (non-) diffusion of sustainable products and services. From this perspective end users are seen as – more or less – passive recipients of sustainable products and services. However, recent innovation and entrepreneurship research shows that end users can play an important role in (co-) innovating novel sustainable products, services, and systems. In this course, we will explore (a) how end users are integrated in the process of sustainability innovations driven by companies (“user integration”), (b) how end users innovative for themselves, and eventually form enterprises to capture value from their sustainability innovations (“user innovation and entrepreneurship”). The course module invites students to experience principles of design thinking and challenge-based education. This means that the format of the course deviates from the standard lecturer-centric approach and instead adopts a student-centric approach.

Developing entrepreneurial solutions in the context of HEYHO (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Steffen Farny, Svenja Rehwinkel

Inhalt: Are you ready to make a tangible difference in the world through sustainable entrepreneurship? Join us for an immersive seminar that dives deep into the captivating realm of Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) and the context of HEYHO. WISEs are innovative organizations that aim to address social and economic challenges by integrating marginalized or disadvantaged individuals into the labor market. They blend economic activities with social goals, creating employment opportunities, skills development, and social integration for individuals facing barriers to employment. HEYHO is an example of such organizations: They stand out due to the people they work with. The organization believes in a better and more socially responsible economy and society. In their roastery, they create real job opportunities for individuals whose life paths haven't always been straightforward. These jobs not only provide financial security but also offer social support, making them more than just ordinary jobs. Through engaging case studies and practical insights, this seminar will empower you to create (small) innovative trainings that enable individuals to grasp the core concepts of WISEs and apply them in meaningful ways. The seminar will delve deep into the following key areas of exploration: - Understanding and applying the concepts of hybrid organizations, social enterprises and WISEs - Analyzing inspiring case studies to learn from successful WISEs and to extract key lessons and best practices from these exemplary ventures - Developing creative and interactive trainings to inspire and enable individuals to apply WISE concepts in their own entrepreneurial endeavors This interactive seminar will explore how we can inspire and enable individuals to harness the potential of WISEs. By working with compelling case studies and designing (small) innovative trainings, you will acquire the tools and knowledge needed to empower individuals with the concepts of WISEs. Join us as we unlock the transformative power of WISEs and equip others to drive positive change through sustainable entrepreneurship. (Side note: Do not let the bewildering presentation of our schedule in mystudy confuse you. Please check the "Seminarplan" to find out that this seminar consists of one Kick-Off weekend plus six sessions)

Kulturgeschichte der Melancholie (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Christian Voller

Termin:
14-täglich | Mittwoch | 10:15 - 13:45 | 25.10.2023 - 24.01.2024 | C 12.010 Seminarraum

Inhalt: Wir leben in einer Zeit, die uns keine Ruhe lässt. Beständig ist das Subjekt gezwungen, Stellung zu beziehen, sich einzumischen, aktiv oder gar aktivistisch zu agieren und sich klar zu positionieren. Zugleich ist unübersehbar, dass dem Individuum im Zeitalter seiner virtuellen Überflüssigkeit kaum Handlungsspielraum bleibt, von seinen Handlungen zudem nur wenig abhängt, und der blinde Lauf der Dinge übermächtig wirkt. Alexandra Schauer sprach in diesem Zusammenhang unlängst von einem unvermittelten – und unvermittelbaren – Nebeneinander von "Allzuständigkeit und Ohnmacht" in der Spätmoderne, Martin Jay diagnostizierte schon vor vielen Jahren ein "manic-depressive temperament of postmodernism", und Enzo Traverso gab die Formel einer "linken Melancholie" aus und hat damit einen ganzen 'Diskurs' losgetreten. Und tatsächlich: 'melancholische' Gehemmtheit ist – auch auf das Individuum bezogen – die vielgestaltige Ausfallerscheinung der Stunde. Diagnosen der Rubrik F32 ICD (depressive Episode) - F33 ICD (rezidivierende depressive Störung) trenden klassenübergreifend seit vielen Jahren, Erschöpfung und Lebensüberdruss drücken die Stimmung und das Brutto-Inlandsprodukt, "mutlose Mädchen" (Michael Schulte-Markwork) zucken wortlos mit den Schultern, während Jungs für Jahre hinter Bildschirmen verschwinden, und wer seine Geschlechtsidentität in Frage stellt, hat rein statistisch ohnehin die besten Chancen eine klinische Depression zu entwickeln. Aber: die Melancholie und ihr politisches Pendant, der Defätismus, sind nicht immer psychologisch und nicht immer als Ausfallerscheinung in Betracht gezogen worden; an den Begriffen hat sich vielmehr ein reichhaltige und faszinierende Wissens- und Kulturgeschichte abgelagert, mit der wir uns in diesem Seminar eingehend beschäftigen wollen.

Management and Organization Theories (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Elke Schüßler

Termin:
wöchentlich | Mittwoch | 08:15 - 09:45 | 25.10.2023 - 24.01.2024 | C 12.013 Seminarraum

Inhalt: The course exposes students to foundational and current management and organization theories. It specifically focuses on macro-organizational theory, derived largely from sociological and economic theoretical traditions and distinguished from micro-organizational theory or organizational behavior, which is founded in psychology. Macro-organizational theory is interested in the interaction of organizational structures and processes with the wider political, economic, societal, or natural environment. It tries to explain things such as organizational forms and survival, resource acquisition and utilization, the interaction between organizations, the perception of organizations in society, or organizational responsibility. The topics of this course are organized historically to enable students to understand the intellectual development of organization theory: from organizations as rational systems to organizations as natural and open systems, from organization to organizing, from individual organizations to (inter-)organizational networks and fields, or from an organization’s political and social to its natural environment.

Philosophy of Social Science (Complementary Studies) (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Markus Reihlen, Dennis Schoeneborn

Inhalt: This course provides you with insights into how to do more engaging and useful research. So what can philosophy contribute to social science? The answer is straightforward: it helps to construct more interesting research problems by challenging taken-for-granted assumptions. The philosophy of social science raises fundamental questions relevant to the practicing researcher, such as what is the nature of social phenomena? Should we see organizations as accumulations of autonomous individuals, collective actors with goals of their own, or systems embedded into society? What is the appropriate form of investigation? Should we rely on empirical facts, on our reason, on action, or on intuition? Can we investigate society by studying individuals or via their social structures? What values and norms of social actions are appropriate? Should we see the individual's freedom (maximization of individual benefit) or his/her responsibility to the community at large (maximization of collective benefit) as the primary goal of social action? This course blends specific perspectives from the philosophy of social science with controversies in social studies. Our use of the term social studies is broad; it includes all disciplines that study social systems of different kinds and of different levels such as economics, sociology, political science, culturology, social psychology, and the respective socio-technologies such as management. This course will enable students to explain how philosophy could contribute to the improvement and interestingness of social research. More specifically, students will be made familiar with general philosophical controversies in social science such as individualism versus holism, idealism versus materialism, the positivism versus postmodernism debates. Finally, we address the relation between science and praxis and reflect upon the different statuses of science and technology.

The diffusion and variation of organizational practices (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Rainer Lueg

Inhalt: The course is designed to introduce theories, concepts and tools of organizational practices and their diffusion in a field. Specifically, it will shed light on the antecedents, processes and effects of diffusion processes, as well as the interaction with the change pattern of the diffusing practice. While examples will be discussed with a focus on social science research, the content can be transferred to practice diffusion in natural sciences and technology, life science, as well as humanities.

Theoretical Perspectives on the Digital Organization (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Anna Stöber

Termin:
14-täglich | Mittwoch | 10:15 - 11:45 | 01.11.2023 - 24.01.2024 | C 12.102 Seminarraum
14-täglich | Mittwoch | 12:15 - 13:45 | 01.11.2023 - 24.01.2024 | C 12.010 Seminarraum

Inhalt: This course explores the relationship between technology and organization. Specifically, it aims at using different theoretical perspectives to discuss and reflect on the on the role of technology in contemporary organizations and how it shapes and interplays with people’s work as well as organizational forms. The course starts by introducing and reflecting on how different theories of science can shape our understanding of organization and technology. It then moves on to look at different dimensions of organizing and how these have been transformed or developed through/with digital technologies. We will discuss all of these topics using a range of practical examples. The course is designed as a seminar. Thus students will play a key role in co-creating the learning experience through their active participation. They will be able to present practical examples of their choice and discuss them against the backdrop of the theories introduced in the course. Their questions and reflections will play an important role in our in-class discussions. A critical reading of the assigned literature and active class participation is therefore vital for an inspiring learning experience.

Theories of Law (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Alexander Stark

Termin:
wöchentlich | Mittwoch | 16:15 - 17:45 | 16.10.2023 - 02.02.2024 | C 14.001 Seminarraum

Inhalt: The subject of the course are philosophical and theoretical perspectives on law. What is "law" and what functions does the institution of law perform in modern societies? What is the difference between a legal system and other normative systems – such as the rules of chess – or moral norms? What does it mean to interpret law? What is the object of the interpretation of law? Are there methodological rules that guide the interpretation of law, and do these rules presuppose the correctness of certain presuppositions? We will approach these, and other questions based on selected texts.

Think Mathematically, Act Algorithmically: Modelling and Control of Dynamical Systems using Linear and Nonlinear Differential Equations (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Paolo Mercorelli

Inhalt: Forms of Modelling of dynamical systems (technical, biological, economic and social systems), which can be seen as a course of applied mathematics intended for humanists, aims to try to introduce those forms with their language to be used to interpret and describe systems. Beneﬁting from having knowledge in the field of applied mathematics is in the same way important as beneﬁting from having knowledge in the field of German literature, or theology, philosophy or agronomy for example. Humanists with no experience in training in the formal notation of applied mathematics, which, in nearly every case, works as compactness over explanatory transparency, have difficulties in making their way through an argument depending on that form. And there is, in general, no way to “ﬁgure it out” without that kind of training. As mentioned, applied mathematics, in nearly every case, works as compactness over explanatory transparency and represents, nevertheless, a clear paradoxically valid mystification of the reality. Humanists can have interest to build a proper set of concepts for dealing with modelling and simulation forms. Modelling and simulation forms of dynamical systems can be represented using different but equivalent structures such as equations with variables defined in real time, block diagrams, equations with variables defined in the imaginary domain or others. But, paradoxically, without those mathematical valid mystifications they become mostly unintelligible. To conclude, independently of the motivations of each of us, the most important aim is to try knowing our soul better, as long as we are assuming that our soul manifests itself in different but, in the meantime, "complementary" forms. (Free interpreted from De Anima, Aristotle).

Werkstatt und E-Learning Einheit zu Theorien der Gender- und Diversity-Forschung (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Lillan Lommel

Inhalt: Das Seminar bietet eine Einführung in ausgewählte Ansätze und Themen aus der Gender- und Diversitätsforschung. Der Kompetenzaufbau im Bereich Gender- und Diversität ist für alle Studierenden mindestens insofern relevant, als dass diese Kompetenzen zur kritischen Auseinandersetzung mit gesellschaftlichen Realitäten befähigen - insbesondere in Bezug auf Macht, Hierarchien und Ungleichheiten. Darüber hinaus kann das Seminar als Anregung dazu dienen, sich im eigenen wissenschaftlichen Werdegang vertiefend mit einzelnen Ansätzen und Themen der Gender- und Diversitätsforschung auseinanderzusetzen. Das Seminar nutzt selbstgesteuertes und anwendungsorientiertes Lernen als didaktische Mittel. Lernmethodisch greift das Seminar vor allem auf alternative Formate (z.B. multimodales Produkt, Manifesto, Visualisierung) zurück, wobei die intensive Auseinandersetzung mit wissenschaftlichen Texten wichtige Grundlage ist. Der begrenzte zeitliche Rahmen für das Seminar erfordert eine Schwerpunktsetzung in dem sehr breiten Feld von Theorien aus der Gender- und Diversityforschung. Entsprechend können bei Weitem nicht alle Forschungsbereiche im Gender- und Diversityfeld berücksichtigt werden (z.B. Disability Studies, Queer Theory, Critical Masculinity Studies, …). Das Seminar hat vier inhaltliche Schwerpunkte: (I.) die soziale (Re)produktion von Gender, (II.) Intersektionalität (III.), (IV.) Diversity-Arbeit und (V.) Feministische Epistemologien. Über das Seminar hinweg werden die Theorien anhand des Beispiels der Organisation veranschaulicht. Einen Fokus bildet dabei ein feministischer Blickwinkel auf die Hochschule als Ort der Wissensproduktion. Dieser Fokus dient insbesondere zur kritischen Reflexion der eigenen Sozialisierung und (Hochschul)bildung.

Writing organization (Seminar)

Dozent/in: Lydia Jørgensen

Inhalt: ‘As writers create textual images of organizations and the people within them, they impose meaning on experience. Writing is not a neutral conduit of meaning, it actively constructs that which it ostensibly seeks to represent. Acknowledging this highlights the power that is played out in the writing of research—a power through which to write is to take control through text.’ (Rhodes, 2001: 4) The seminar aims to provide students with an understanding of writing as a central aspect of how we know organization and people. As Rhodes mention, writing is not a neutral process, but relates to methodological and epistemological concerns as well, including the power position that presenting ‘realities’ within cultural and social studies involves. Working with selected, relevant approaches to writing, and writing organization in particular, students will learn to critically examine academic writing through writing academically. There is a long-standing discussion of the relationship between research and writing. For the purposes of this seminar, writing is not seen as just a question about writing up your research, but as a method of inquiry in itself, one that offers different perspectives on how we know, learn and teach (see St.Pierre, 2018; Rhodes, 2001; Gilmore et. al., 2019). This kind of ‘writing’ has become a matter of concern in social and cultural thought as well as organization studies, related to discussions on e.g., ‘writing as method’, ‘writing differently’, ‘dirty writing’, ‘queer writing’, ‘art-based-methods’ and ‘performative methods’. Discussions that challenge the existing ‘scientific’ norms of academic writing in order to bring other perspectives and phenomena to the fore such as affective concerns, emergent atmospheric phenomena, feminist perspectives, empowerment and ethical aspects, which further often also addresses the researchers (power) position of knowledge. The seminar will zoom in on recent performative and art-based approaches to writing, and it endeavours to ‘test’ their applicability and potency. To do so, the seminar will introduce selected recent debates on writing, which reflect underlying ontological, epistemological and methodological assumptions. By focusing on organization, the seminar seeks to tap into how writing can be a way to critically inquire into and research organization and everyday organizing. Based on these debates, students will be asked to conduct a small fieldwork on everyday organization and organizing, which builds the ground for exploring and reflecting upon their material and findings through writing. To do that, the seminar will dedicate specific sessions to experimentation with and different ways of writing, such as art-based, collaborative and ficto-critical approaches. Finally, student will engage with critically assessing their own writing.