PhD Course in Philosophy of Science (DUH102)

The social sciences and the humanities give rise to fundamental philosophical debates of an epistemological, methodological, ontological, and axiological nature. This course provides an introduction to some of the most important of these debates.


Course description for study year 2025-2026

See course description and exam/assesment information for this semester (2024-2025)
Facts

Course code

DUH102

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

5

Semester tution start

Spring

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

English, Norwegian

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

The course will give a broad orientation on central issues in the philosophy of science related to the social sciences and the humanities (‘the human sciences’). The main topics are:

  • Objectivity and the role of values in the human sciences.
  • Scientific confirmation.
  • Feministic perspectives on science.
  • Social ontology and constructivism.
  • Scientific explanation.
  • Individualism versus holism.
  • Fundamental questions related to qualitative and quantitative methodology.

Learning outcome

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The student will gain knowledge of fundamental philosophical issues related to the human sciences.

The student will understand the relevance of these philosophical issues for scientific research.

Skills

The student should be able to facilitate critical reflection and argumentation on presuppositions that are often taken for granted within their own research tradition or within science as a whole.

The student should be able to relate discipline-specific topics to broader reflections and concepts in the philosophy of science.

General competence

The student should be able to participate in debates within the philosophy of the human sciences.


The student should be able to clearly communicate their position on issues related to the philosophy of the human sciences.

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Individual paper 1/1 Passed / Not Passed

• Evaluation will be based on one individual paper (4000 words (+/- 10%) on a self-chosen topic approved by the instructor.
• The paper must be submitted within six weeks after the topic has been approved.
• The paper is evaluated pass/fail.

Coursework requirements

Active participation in lectures and seminarsActive participation in lectures and seminars

At least 75% attendance.

Course teacher(s)

Study Program Director:

Hein Berdinesen

Course coordinator:

Ståle Gundersen

Course teacher:

Ulrich Dettweiler

Course teacher:

Hein Berdinesen

Method of work

The course will be delivered through five full-day seminars. Students are encouraged to actively participate in the seminars and group discussions.

A detailed timetable will be made available at the beginning of the semester.

Overlapping courses

Course Reduction (SP)
PhD Course in Philosophy of Science (DSP102_2) 5

Open for

PhD candidates enrolled in PhD programmes at the University of Stavanger and at cooperating research institutions may participate in the course.

Course assessment

The faculty decides whether early dialogue should be conducted in all or selected groups of courses offered by the faculty. The purpose is to gather feedback from students for making changes and adjustments to the course during the current semester. In addition, a digital evaluation, students’ course evaluation, must be conducted at least once every three years. Its purpose is to collect students` experiences with the course.

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto