Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ANT2040: Actor-Network-Theory

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Overview

NQF Level 5
Credits 15 ECTS Value 7.5
Term(s) and duration

This module ran during term 1 (11 weeks)

Academic staff

Professor Mike Michael ()

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Available via distance learning

No

This introductory module explores and discusses the development of Actor-Network-Theory (ANT), its central topics, issues, research agendas and theoretical orientations. ANT has emerged from within Science and Technology Studies (STS) and focuses on understanding social processes and controversies as they become visible at the intersection between people, technology, animals and the environment. The aim of ANT is to understand the social and what it means when we speak of society, how power relationships can be analysed in a world that is mediated by technologies and scientific knowledge, how to understand ecological issues, human-animal relations or the role artefacts and objects play in our daily life. Along selected readings, the module will discuss how ANT engages with key issues of social life including technology, science, the body, health, illness, disability and the environment.

The module is appropriate for students with some background in sociology or anthropology, although there are no pre-requisites. This module is suitable for both specialist and non-specialist students and its interdisciplinary outlook will appeal to students in social sciences, anthropology and philosophy. 

Module created

06/01/2015

Last revised

08/02/2018