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2024/2025  BA-BSOCO1843U  Philosophy of Science

English Title
Philosophy of Science

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc in Business Administration and Sociology
Course coordinator
  • Liv Egholm - Department of Business Humanities and Law (BHL)
Main academic disciplines
  • Methodology and philosophy of science
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 01-07-2024

Relevant links

Learning objectives
On successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  • give an account of the basic ontological and epistemological assumptions within the different philosophy of science traditions presented in the syllabus and their consequences for applying and combining methods and theories from the other courses in the program
  • situate the theoretical positions and key concepts in a broader philosophy of science context
  • identify and evaluate the central similarities and differences between the main ideas and concepts within the different philosophy of science traditions presented in the syllabus
  • Identify, discuss and critically reflect upon the theoretical and methodological considerations in the interdisciplinary 2nd year project work against the background of different philosophy of science traditions
  • Write a paper meeting academic writing standards, particularly correct quotation, citation and referencing of literature
Examination
Philosophy of Science:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 5 pages
Assignment type Essay
Release of assignment The Assignment is released in Digital Exam (DE) at exam start
Duration 48 hours to prepare
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Summer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

The exam is a written home assignment, where the students critically identify and discuss how their 2nd-year project is informed by Philosophy of Science perspectives from the syllabus. The students are required to use both secondary and min 2 primary texts from the primary literature (compendium/ online). The exam lets the students select two of three essay questions about Ontology, Epistemology, and Anthropology.

Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

Philosophy of knowledge is the backbone of all scholarly work because it is critically concerned with the conditions for saying that some statements are more correct than others. In other words, it provides the basis for calling some knowledge 'scientific,' 'true,' or 'correct' because the philosophy of knowledge offers the fundamental rules by which to judge and evaluate so-called knowledge claims and to work analytically with your data. Hence, by taking this course, students will be equipped to analytically identify how different ideas about the world and about knowledge lead to different ways of understanding what true knowledge is and how it relates to business knowledge.

This allows students to become curious about the ambiguity involved when establishing scholarly arguments, improving their ability to understand and criticize other knowledge claims. This is relevant not only in academic work but also in knowledge-intensive work contexts where business knowledge is placed in a broad context, and different kinds of statements must be dissected.

The course is an introduction to the philosophy of science. It will provide knowledge and tools to identify the general paradigms that have informed the social sciences and their consequences for handling social issues. As such, it relates to the other courses in the program to provide the meta-theories for the courses and the 2nd year project. Students will not only engage with meta-theoretical assumptions but also with how to identify these assumptions in their own and others' work.

The course will critically assess how different perceptions of the world affect how we describe and explain it. The course will show how the different perspectives are informed by meta-theoretical assumptions and a different understanding of what science is. While the course should be seen in relation to all the courses in the program, the exam is specifically related to the '2nd-year project'. During the lectures and class work, we will discuss themes related to other business and society courses in the program. Still, the overall thrust of the course is aimed toward a general introduction to the philosophy of social science.

 

 

This course aims to provide the student with

(1) a general insight into the different conceptions of science that have informed social sciences to this day and their historical embeddedness;

(2) knowledge about different perceptions of the society and the individual, rooted in the ontological and epistemological assumptions of different philosophy of science traditions;

(3) knowledge about the conceptual and methodological consequences of applying different philosophy of science traditions in project work and the ability to integrate it into one's own project work.

 

Description of the teaching methods
Lectures/workshops will be based on lectures, group work, and classroom discussions. They will also integrate case-teaching, mainly building on the student's projects, earlier assignments, and their upcoming 2nd-year project discussion. Students are expected to participate actively in classes and contribute during the lectures and workshops. The group work and teaching through peer evaluation and case orientation are dedicated to creating an environment of critical discussions and constructive collaboration by constantly relearning and encouraging constructive collaboration. The teaching format is closely aligned with the purpose of the exam and thus dedicated to mobilizing the skills, knowledge, and capabilities developed within an interdisciplinary BSc Soc learning environment to critically identify, apply, and discuss the different philosophy of science perspectives presented in the syllabus.

A heavy workload is expected regarding complex theoretical readings, individual preparation, group work between classes, and minor written group assignments/​​essay/​​casework presented and discussed in class are required for preparation.
Feedback during the teaching period
The course is based on continuous feedback through lectures, home assignments, and feedback sessions. It will be provided during the course in the following four ways:
1. The teacher gives oral feedback on assignments (either collective during the lectures or orally group-oriented feedback).
2. Oral feedback is given collectively at the lectures based on student answers in live quizzes (polling) and casework.
3. The workshops are specifically created as feedback sessions based on peer-review and general oral teacher feedback. The teacher will provide continuous feedback at the workshop and provide final feedback on the entries concerning the workshop activities.
4: Quizzes and other IT tools are used on Canvas and secure individual feedback on the students' progression and understanding of the syllabus.

The lecturer decides when to use which methods.

After the exam is graded, general written feedback by the teacher is uploaded on Canvas, and the students are offered a slot for additional feedback.
Student workload
Lectures 38 hours
Preparation of lectures (2.5 h per 1h lecture) 96 hours
Preparation of exam 24 hours
Exam 48 hours
Last updated on 01-07-2024