The Passage

Studying transdisciplinarity with the help of Michel Serres

In one of Serres' books the Northwest Passage - the sea passage that connects Atlantic and Pacific Ocean - is used as a figure describing the bridge from the humanities (and the arts) to the exact sciences. For Serres, communication between these realms, though possible and vital, is always difficult and unique. Today, this intricate fractal arctic archipelago made from pack ice, fields of drifting ice, and icebergs, is melting away. Should we therefore conclude that the passages(s) between the arts & sciences can be taken for granted? Or, on the contrary, does climate denialism, excessive trust in science and technology, or, the (sometimes ironic) hope in the arts as a pedagogic, moral or healing business will make this passage even more difficult and unique? The course will (re)read texts by M. Serres and investigate his lament that "we have lost the world."

Exploring and representing projects in small groups; 80% attendance; active collaboration in form of research and presentations, reading the literature and preparation of introductory notes.

limited number of participants