• Understand basic terminology and positions in philosophy of science
• Reflect critically on the philosophy of science assumptions underpinning research, including the student’s work.
• Produce and present a coherent analysis that – combining relevant theory, methods and data – answers a clear and relevant research question.

All social scientific theories, methods and empirical analyses are loaded with philosophical assumptions. With philosophy of science these assumptions can be explicated and analysed. The overall purpose of the course is to introduce students to key concepts and positions in philosophy of science so as to develop their skills in reflecting on the assumptions underpinning research – both their own and that of others. The course introduces established philosophy of social science positions such as positivism, constructivism and critical realism. It brings into focus the implications of philosophy of science for the research design, including the choice of theory, methods and data.

The course inter alia draws on content covered in other IBP courses – above all the Comparative Political Economy (CPE) course with which it shares its exam – to illustrate philosophical concepts and arguments. To render such concepts and arguments as tangible as possible, the course moreover relates to one or more running themes.

In extension of the classes, students write a project report in groups. The project report applies CPE theory in an empirically grounded comparative analysis with a view to answer a clear and relevant research question formulated by the group. The project report is to justify theoretical choices and account for methods, data and philosophy of science assumptions. It forms the basis of an oral group exam.