You will register automatically for this course if you register for one of the following courses:
Verantwortung 12: Genossenschaften gestern - heute – morgen (DE) (Sonja Neuschwander)

The module introduces fundamental questions and concepts relating to the topic of responsibility and combines these with a systematic introduction to academic reading and writing, covering topics such as reading strategies, literature review, academic research questions, text structures and argumentation.
The course focuses on the concept of responsibility from philosophical, sociological and psychological perspectives – particularly in the context of social transformation processes and sustainability issues. Among other things, the following key questions will be addressed: What do we mean by responsibility, and how is it related to freedom? Who is responsible for what, and to whom does this responsibility apply? How is responsibility established and assigned – and how does one evade it?

Key topics include:
• Responsibilisation as a social process in which social actors (e.g. consumers) are held responsible for solving social problems – describable using the P.A.C.T. framework (Personalisation, Authorisation, Capabilisation, Transformation)
• Neutralisation theory as an explanatory framework for psychological strategies through which people justify behaviour that deviates from responsibility and reduce cognitive dissonance
• Responsibility as a complex interplay of freedom, power, social conditions and emotions – beyond a purely moral category
• Responsibility as a dynamic concept, shaped by society and history, which is continually renegotiated within the tension between freedom, power and collective practices

Methods:
The module combines text-based reading and analysis with guided writing and discussion tasks. In the process, key concepts are explored, critically discussed and reflected upon in writing.

Students will receive a schedule and all relevant materials in good time at the start of the semester.

Students…
… will be able to identify trends and mechanisms in the process of attributing responsibility to social groups.
… are familiar with issues surrounding the attribution of responsibility in the context of sustainability and can utilise approaches to reflective accountability as design options.
… can identify psychological strategies for avoiding the assumption of responsibility.
… can identify and distinguish between key concepts of responsibility (individual vs. collective, ethical vs. political, discursive vs. affective).
… understand that responsibility is negotiated in cultural-historical and social terms.
… can reflect on their own thinking and critically examine their own theories, attitudes and opinions.
… can formulate (critical) questions.
… can recognise and understand the structure of arguments.
… can contextualise texts and identify the intentions behind them.
… are able to express their thoughts in a clear written form, whilst adhering to the rules of good academic practice.
… understand the reasons for cross-referencing.

Further information on teaching evaluation: https://www.leuphana.de/en/teaching/quality-management/evaluation/course-evaluation.html