Course The University as Infrastructure and the Researcher as Worker

This course examines and critically engages with the university as a (historical, political, culturally conditioned) institution and infrastructure and the researcher as a specific (historically, politically, culturally conditioned) form of worker. Through joint readings, discussion, case studies, and old-fashioned self-help exercises, we aim to embark on grasping the infrastructural network, social relations, and the struggles defining the contemporary university and the subjectivity of the researcher. Throughout the course, we will ask questions such as:
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What does the university look like? Is it possible to draw the contemporary university's infrastructure?
Why is the university organized the way it is, and how has it historically functioned as a site for social struggle and justice?
Who “governs” the university?
What kind of worker and subjectivity is the researcher (in the humanities)? 
What characterizes the “work ethic” (historically and contemporary) of the researcher? 

Aim:

We aim to facilitate a critical discussion around the condition of the contemporary university and the social function and identity of the researcher (within the humanities).

Literature:

Literature will be distributed to the participants via a link through Brightspace.

Target group:

PhD students minimum a half year into their employment.

Form:

Lecture, discussion, group work, workshop-based exercises.

Lecturers:

Tobias Dias: idetd@cc.au.dk
Maj Ørskov: mbo@cc.au.dk

Venue:

Campus Aarhus, Bulding 1586 room 114 (AU Kasernen)

Course dates:

• 16 August 2023 10:00 - 14:00
• 30 August 2023 10:00 - 14:00