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Why ‘Culture and Technology’?

The Culture and Technology Master of Art programme is a humanities and philosophy-based field of study. Most universities tend to link cultural science with traditional humanities disciplines, which are mostly history-oriented.

With its Culture and Technology study programme, the BTU Cottbus is taking quite a different path. The programme is driven by an underlying cultural concept: culture – the very quintessence of human experience. The spectrum of topics is correspondingly broad: ranging from a confrontation with aesthetics and art, analysis of new media, to contemporary debates on key technologies. Technology is perceived as a product of culture, impacting modern life and our future like no other. The significance, dynamics, and consequences of mechanisation of human life are the central issues explored in the study programme.

The study programme focuses on the essential questions of philosophy. We systematically examine both classical and modern theorems of theoretical and practical philosophy, as well as cultural theory. In contrast to conventional philosophical courses, this programme also features material content, cultural and technical products and processes, i.e. a decidedly object-oriented and contemporary focus.

Further information about the study programme for students and prospective students

Course Structure and Content

All students must take the mandatory courses during the initial course phase; this serves to impart basic expertise in culture philosophy, as well as communicative and analytical abilities. After completion of the mandatory course period the programme divides into two fields of study; students must choose one of these specialist subjects:

Elective Course A “Philosophy and Cultural Sciences”

This branch of study is strongly influenced by culture philosophy. Focus areas include aesthetics, art history, culture theory, media analysis and communication, communication and culture management.

Elective Course B “Technology and Technological Developments in Public Discourse“

This branch of study is strongly influenced by practical philosophical issues, with an orientation in analytical, conceptual, and consultancy activities in technology and science consultancy fields, technology assessment, risk evaluation, and technology ethics.

This more strongly culture philosophy oriented branch of study features a module with technical science content that examines the media. This stronger practical philosophy oriented branch features a technology module, in which students deepen their understanding of technology in a selected key technology area.

The technical science modules form the programme’s profile: they teach students how to participate in public scientific and technology discourse, as well as media expertise in a selected technical subject.

Employment Opportunities

The following career opportunities are open to our degree programme graduates:

• Public Policy Consulting (particularly in the areas of technology assessment and innovative technology analysis);
• Company and Economic Consultancy;
• Intercultural and Interdisciplinary Management;
• In-company Cultural Activities (corporate communications, guiding company principles, strategic organisational development, mediation, ethical business dealings);
• Design and Organisation of Cultural Facilities;
• Market and Trend Research;
• Journalism and Media Relations;
• Publishing Sector;
• Diplomatic Service;
• Science Activities in Academics and Research.

Established in 1991, the Brandenburg University of Technology offers first-rate study conditions in new buildings, as well as state-of-the-art technical and library facilities. Approximately 5,000 students are enrolled here, 1,200 of them are international students, together they have access to more than 20 academic programmes at the BTU. Our ‘campus of human dimensions’ is located close to the city centre. Inexpensive and modern student dormitories are located centrally on campus and are equipped with Internet connections.

The Academic Programme

The programme is arranged in the following fields and modules:

Compulsory courses:

• Mainstream philosophy
• Underlying philosophical principles of modern culture
• Material culture
• Communication
• Ethics and behaviour

Elective course group A: Philosophy and Cultural Science

• Rationality of culture
• Aesthetics
• Philosophical anthropology/Human ecology
• Cultural communications media
• Applied media science
• Interdisciplinary research project ‘culture philosophy’
• Cultural management
• Internship and Master’s Thesis

Elective course group B: Technology and Technological Developments in Public Discourse

• Practical philosophy
• Ethics in technical communication
• Genesis of technology
• Technology
• Technical know-how as a special form of knowledge
• Risk and technological impact assessment
• Interdisciplinary research project ‘technological impact assessment and technology assessment’
• Internship and Master’s Thesis

Prescribed study duration: four semesters

Registration: possible for each semester

Admissions requirement

• Qualifying degree in a humanities and/or cultural science study programme or a technical or mathematical-scientific subject.
• Depending on the degree: students may receive 30 credit points for ancillary academic experience in the humanities and/or cultural, technical or mathematical-science.
• Examination to determine suitability (may be waived under certain circumstances).

Degree: Master of Arts