This lecture focuses on the basics of scientific writing (writing and publishing in the sciences). Two types of writing are at focus: the article in the peer-reviewed journal and the book (monograph and edited book). This will be related to: (1) the underlying epistemic understanding in the sciences (research question, hypothesis formulation, theory grounding, explorative and causality-oriented inquiries); (2) publishing strategies in the sciences (journal articles and/or books and book chapters). The disciplinary point of departure are to be the social sciences in the broadest sense, but with cross-references to other disciplines. As further focuses we will introduce: (1) interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity, and (2) scientific research and artistic research.

Writing in the sciences will be approached as a process. The final product will be a text or paper, with the following intermediary steps: (1) concept of the text or paper (2-3 pages); (2) short presentation (power point); (3) and final text or paper toward the end of the semester (12-14 pages). For the process of producing this text or paper, the crucial reference or exercise will be, to act “as if” this is a text or paper that is intended to be published in a (social) scientific format later. Participants (students) are free to elaborate further on this text or paper after completion of the lecture.

This lecture takes place in the seminar room of the Department Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (street address: Hintere Zollamtsstrasse 17, 4th floor). Please check also with the website of the department.

Students from other faculties or universities will be given a place on the course subject to room capacities.