Course - Theory of Science for the Social Sciences - SFEL8000
Theory of Science for the Social Sciences
About
About the course
Course content
The teaching consists of six introductory lectures and five seminars (two obligatory) distributed over four modules. The seminars in module 3 require active participation from the students. Examination is in the form of written analysis tasks, related to the participants research interests.
The general themes of the course are:
Module 1: Introduction. Basic concepts and perspectives.
An overview of ontological and epistemological traditions and their implications for contemporary social/behavioural science.
Paradigmatic traditions - programmatic and practical, methodological standpoints. Research questions possibilities and limitations.
The building blocks of social science Definitions and concept-formation.
Module 2: Philosophy of science methodological implications and strategies.
Descriptive strategies.
Forms of aggregation and strategies of inference.
Forms of explanation and explanatory strategies.
The practical use of theory.
Social and behavioral science: A cumulative project?
Module 3: Workshop related to the exam.
Summary.
Workshop, tutorial.
Module 4: Tutorial related to specific PhD-projects. (Not obligatory).
Learning outcome
To give the students extensive training in Theory of Science for the Social Sciences
The aim of the course is to give an overview of the theories of science, and to give an overview of the basic concepts of problems related to this. The aim of the course is to give an overview of the philosophy of science, and to give an overview of the basic concepts of problems related to this. It relates problems in research to relevant and useful discurses in theory of science
The participants wil be given an opportunity to de an scientific analysis of research in their own discipline, and an opportunity to discuss problems in their own field of research
The course will give the participants a better ability to identify, analyze and take a stand to the methodological and theoretical problems in the research process. The course tries to describe an analyze the ontological, epistemological and methodological problems in a way which are relevant for the practical research
The participants will be given an opportunity to do an scientific analysis of research in their own discipline, and an opportunity to discuss problems in their own field of research
Learning methods and activities
Lectures and seminars. Form of evaluation: Paper
Recommended previous knowledge
See formal requirements
Required previous knowledge
Masters degree in the Social Sciences or equivalent
Course materials
Relevant literature:
Becker, H.S. 1998. Tricks of the Trade. How to Think About Your Research While You Are Doing It. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Benton, T. & Craib, I. 2001. Philosophy of Social Science. The Philosophical Foundations of Social Thought. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Bourdieu, P. 2004. Science of Science and Reflexivity. Oxford: Polity.
Delanty, G. & Strydom, P. (eds.) .2003. Philosophies of Social Science. The Classic and Contemporary Readings. Maidenhead ; Philadelphia: Open University Press [selection].
Hacking, I. 1999. The Social Construction of What? Cambridge, Mass. Harvard University Press.
Harding, S. (ed.).2004. The Feminist Standpoint Theory Reader. Intellectual and Political Controversies. New York: Routledge [selection].
Martin. M. & McIntyre. L. C. (eds.) 1994. Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge, Mass. The MIT-Press [selection]..
Montuschi, E.2003. The Objects of Social Science. London: Continuum.
Newton-Smith, W.H. (ed).2001. A Companion to the Philosophy of Science, Oxford, Blackwell Publishers Ltd [selection].
Additional material related to the participants research interests.
Subject areas
- Social Sciences