1. Cultural Studies at a Technical University

Customarily, humanities degree programmes are not a standard element of technical university repertoires. By definition, cultural science studies combine traditional arts and humanities disciplines: academic areas chiefly focusing on history-oriented topics such as linguistics, literary studies, aesthetics, art, and, theatre.

The BTU has embraced quite a different approach for its humanities programme. Our goal was to engender diverse perspectives: we sought to explicitly demonstrate how science and technology outcomes and methods that significantly and sustainably impact the relationship between humanity and the physical world, its perceptions and orientations (and invariably the premise) are indeed integral components of human culture. In short: science and technology play an exceptionally powerful role in shaping modern culture, as they interact closely with other cultural spheres such as language, economics, politics, or the arts. In abstract terms, this programme is characterised by a broad and demanding concept: the notion of culture as influenced by the very quintessence of human experience. Due to their exceedingly complex nature, modern culture and cultures can also be characterised as very vulnerable. Responsibility as a category and principle of human action derives from human vulnerability and vulnerability of culture. Students need to understand the complex effects that science and technology have on culture; they must gain awareness of the ethical problems prompted by developments in science and technology.

2. Course Structure and Content

The Bachelor programme is as broadly conceived as possible, so as to give students a clear overview of the problem areas. Our programme starts with a comprehensive introduction of the core areas of cultural studies and related methods. After that, we elaborate a broad, but sufficiently deep overview of developmental and historical problems in the spheres of natural science, technology and industry, as well as the essential questions and methods of philosophical reflection involved in these scientific fields. Thirdly (and fourthly) students deal with concrete economics and business administration issues, in addition to subjects in the natural and technical sciences. The latter defines the programme’s profile: Students are expected to do more than just expound upon science and technology; we want them to gain competencies in these subjects and expand their own personal horizons.

The prescribed study duration of the Bachelor programme is six semesters, at the end of which the academic title Bachelor of Arts is awarded. The programme is divided into thematic complexes, which in turn are divided into modules.

Complexes / Modules

Complex 1: Social Competencies and Foreign Languages and Propaedeutics

1-1: Foreign Languages

1-2: Intercultural Competence

Complex 2: Introduction to the Humanities: Fundamentals of Humanities and Social Science

2-1: Introduction to the Humanities

2-2: Culture and Society

2-3: Culture, Technology, Philosophy

2-4: Philosophy of Science, Logic and Philosophy of Nature

2-5: Philosophy of Ecological Science (optional)

2-6: Discourse of Culture and Heritage

2-7: Sociology

Complex 3: Values, Norms, Experience

3-1: Applied Philosophy and Ethics

3-2: Environmental Issues and Social Sciences

Complex 4: Aesthetics and Media

4-1: Aesthetics

4-2: Introduction to Media Science

Complex 5: History of Ideas and Technology

5-1: History of Philosophy and History of Ideas (incl. Political Philosophy)

5-2: Introduction to the History of Technology

5-3: History of Science

5-4: History of Building and Conservation (optional)

5-5: Economics and Philosophy

Complex 6: Economics

6-1: Introduction to Economics

6-2: Economics – Microeconomics

6-3: General Business Studies I (introduction to Business Studies)

6-4: General Business Studies III (Marketing, Organisation, Personnel)

6-5: Organisation and Industrial Relations

Complex 7: Science and Technology

7-1: Mathematics T1

7-1: Natural Sciences

7-2: Technology and Engineering

Complex 8: Law

8-1: Introduction to Law

Complex 9: Study Projects and Final Thesis

9-1: Study Project 1 (theoretical)

9-2: Study Project 2 (job-related)

9-3: Bachelor’s Thesis

3. Further Plans and Perspectives

The four-semester Master programme Culture and Technology was introduced at the start of the winter semester. A post-graduate programme is planned, which will complement the Master programme.

Graduates of the Bachelor programme Culture and Technology can also enrol in the World Heritage Studies Master programme (international programme presented in English). A further, more history-oriented Master programme in the field of construction, technology and environment is also in preparation.

Employment Opportunities for Graduates

The academic profile associated with Culture and Technology opens up a number of career opportunities for our graduates:

* Management consultancy;

* Research in support of the humanities in newly introduced technologies;

* Intercultural and interdisciplinary management;

* Public policy consulting, particularly in the field of technology assessment and technological impact assessment;

* PR and corporate communications;

* In-company cultural activities (corporate strategies, guiding company principles, business ethics, corporate communications, mediation, organisational development);

* Market and trend research;

* Careers in science and/or journalism.

Prerequisites for Enrolment

The formal requirement for university admission is a University entrance qualifying certificate (Abitur). There are admissions restrictions (Numerus Clausus) for this programme (enrolment until 15. July of each year).

To succeed in the programme, applicants need good written and oral skills, should enjoy reading and writing, be willing to tackle and understand extensive scientific texts, as well as having confidence and solid language skills in English. Prospective students should have broad areas of interest and should be able to understand how the various scientific fields are interconnected.

Programme Head

Prof. Dr. Klaus Kornwachs, Lehrstuhl Technikphilosophie

Tel. (0355) 69 2135Fax: (0355) 69 3323

@: techphil@tu-cottbus.de

Academic Advisory Services

Herr Dr.phil. Steffen Groß

Tel. (0355) 69 3148

@: steffen.gross@tu-cottbus.de

For more information on the Culture and Technology programme see www.tu-cottbus.de/kut/