We exist within systems of knowledge – assumptions about the world and how it works that are so ingrained that we rarely stop to examine them. These ways of knowing seem like common sense to us, because we are so used to them – but in fact they are highly specific to the times and places in which we live. This module traces the origins and effects of diverse ways of knowing around the globe. At its close, students will better understand the constructed and contested nature of different systems of knowledge, and they will have developed the critical skills to question what they see and hear around them.
Our expert lecturers will serve as guides through a variety of ‘ways of knowing’ from around the world. By tracing the historical and cultural origins of these diverse knowledge systems, this module will offer insight into these systems’ inner logic and an appreciation of their deep social influence. Students will learn how these different ways of knowing have shaped human understanding across time and geography, illuminating the complexities of our interconnected global landscape. Through engaging discussions, reflective exercises, and in-depth analyses, students will cultivate critical thinking skills that enable them to interrogate and challenge entrenched beliefs and ideologies.
- Module Supervisor: Matthew Burch
- Module Supervisor: Fabian Freyenhagen