FAG3003 Actor-Network Theory as a Reserach Approach in Geography and Planning Studies 7.5 credits

The purpose of the course is to give the participants the necessary basic knowledge to understand how to actively utilize ANT as a research approach within human geography and planning studies. The participants will learn ways to approach various research questions from an ANT-inspired perspective, such as:

-                     How are spatialities and localities constructed and maintained?

-                     How are social aggregates constructed and maintained?

-                     What happens when ideas and things are transported across space and time?

-                     How do technical, scientific and political controversies develop and evolve?

The emphasis in the course is on understanding the basic tenets of ANT, and acquiring the knowledge and skills to apply ANT in concrete empirical research. Thus, the course includes elements of both theory and methodology. A key component of the course is the participatory seminar discussion of the participants with researchers experienced in using ANT as a practical research approach.

After completing the course the participants will have the ability to independently formulate a research question inspired by the ANT-approach, and also to discuss the merits and shortcomings of pursuing an ANT-based research design with regard to the question at hand.

-Bylund, Jonas R. (2006). Planning, projects, practice: a human geography of the Stockholm local investment programme in Hammarby Sjöstad. Stockholm: Stockholm University/ Dept. of Human Geography

-Callon, Michel, Lascoumes, Pierre & Barthe, Yannick (2009). Acting in an uncertain world: an essay on technical democracy. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press

Czarniawska, Barbara (2007). Shadowing: and other techniques for doing fieldwork in modern societies. Malmö: Liber

-Latour, Bruno (1987). Science in action: how to follow scientists and engineers through society. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Univ. Press

-Latour, Bruno (2005). Reassembling the social: an introduction to actor-network-theory. Oxford: University Press

-Marres, N. (2005). No issue, no public: democratic deficits after the displacement of politics. Amsterdam: University of Amsterdam/ Dept. of Philosophy

-Compendium of articles and papers by A. Mol, J. Law, D. Haraway, N. Thrift, etc

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• HEM1 - Home assignments, 7.5 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The participants will receive their grade based on active seminar participation, literature reading notes and a final memo which will focus upon the participants’ ability to independently formulate and discuss a relevant, ANT-inspired research question and design.

Jonathan Metzger

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

The participants will receive their grade based on active seminar participation, literature reading notes and a final memo which will focus upon the participants’ ability to independently formulate and discuss a relevant, ANT-inspired research question and design.