In this first module, Associate Professor Lars Botin and Professor Torben Elgaard Jensen introduce the socio-technical understanding of technology rooted in the fields of 'Philosophy of Technology' and 'Science and Technology Studies'. Botin elaborates on key historical figures such as the German philosopher Martin Heidegger, French Sociologist Jacques Ellul and Urban Planner Lewis Mumford. In the same way, professor Torben E. Jensen discusses implications of the socio-technical understanding of technology to aspects like politics, actors, solutions and ethics. Finally, you are going to be introduced to two models that we have developed in Techno-Anthropology.
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Introductory literature
Introductory literature
We have chosen three papers that give you a general overview of the discussions and motivations that lead us to the conceptualisation of Techno-Anthropology. After reading them, please answer the assignments formulated below.
Børsen, T. and Botin, L. (2013). What is Techno-Anthropology? In (ed.) Børsen & Botin. What is Techno-Anthropology. pp. 7 - 35. Aalborg University Press.
Børsen, T. (2013). Chapter 1: Identifying Interdisciplinary Core Competencies in Techno-Anthropology: Interactional expertise, social responsibility competence, and skills in Anthropology-driven design. In (ed.) Børsen & Botin. What is Techno-Anthropology. pp. 35-67. Aalborg University Press.
Jensen, T. E. (2013). Techno Anthropology: A new move-in science and technology studies. STS Encounters -DASTS working paper series, 5(1), 1-22.
Litterature task 1.1
Litterature task 1.1
Børsen, T. and Botin, L. (2013). What is Techno-Anthropology? In (ed.) Børsen & Botin. What is Techno-Anthropology. pp. 7 - 35. Aalborg University Press.
Exploring the definitions and understanding of technology, antropology and Techno-Antropology (TAN)
Introduces the understanding of human/technological relation and the interconnectedness and effect upon each other.
The three founding fathers and their opinion on technology and its role in society or effect upon it:
Mumford, Ellul and Hans Johan
As well as a short description of later chapters higlighting the challenges, ethical/moral foundation in the design and our role as stewards.
Børsen, T. (2013). Chapter 1: Identifying Interdisciplinary Core Competencies in Techno-Anthropology: Interactional expertise, social responsibility competence, and skills in Anthropology-driven design. In (ed.) Børsen & Botin. What is Techno-Anthropology. pp. 35-67. Aalborg University Press.
Main purpose: Identify main inter-disciplinary compentencies of the new study in TAN at AAU.
Three qualities presented:
Interactional expertise
Antropology-driven design
Social responsibility
Also clarrifies that not all main interdisciplinary compentencies has been touched upon.
It is argued in the text that TAN is inter-disciplinary because it addresses social challenges.
The text highlight some of the potential of Techno-Antropologists:
Able to establish constructive dialoque rather than conflicts on matters of emerging technologies.
Potential co-constructers of a future where tech and human values are interconnected.
Contribute to solving important problems with the help of intelligent design in new technology.
Jensen, T. E. (2013). Techno Anthropology: A new move-in science and technology studies. STS Encounters -DASTS working paper series, 5(1), 1-22.
Origin story of TAN as a new movement in Science and and technology studies (STS)
The coupling of the multiple disciplines that lay in between the humanities and science/engineering.
The origin of STS as a field and the creative industrialization thereof.
The text highlights the fact that TAN was created as a collaboration between the researchers of the humanities and those from the faculty of engineering and science, drawing upon the teaching ressources of both faculties.
Tells us that each semester the students will have a substantial amount of either STS or the philosophy of Science, it also emphasises that tecno-antropologist students will not become technical experts. They will have a role in between, and to not shy away form technical content, as they have gained a basic practical sense through hand-on encounters.
Tecno-antropologist have an important role as a mediators between the science-technological community and the public.
Ends of with encouragements for the future.
New concepts:
Multiple terms such as, CSCW, TAN etc., related to the field.
The model for the technical-antropological field.
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