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2025/2026  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 Global Relations
Course coordinator
  • Liv Egholm - Department of Business Humanities and Law (BHL)
Main academic disciplines
  • Philosophy and ethics
  • Methodology and philosophy of science
  • Sociology
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 26-06-2025

Relevant links
Learning objectives
On successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  • Provide an overview of the basic ontological and epistemological assumptions found in the philosophical traditions of science outlined in the syllabus.
  • Place the theoretical positions and key concepts within the broader context of a philosophy of science.
  • Discuss how the traditions of philosophy of science affect the application and combination of methods and theories.
  • Identify and evaluate the key similarities and differences between the main ideas and concepts within philosophy of science traditions presented in the syllabus.
  • Identify, discuss, and critically reflect on the theoretical and methodological considerations of philosophy of science traditions in interdisciplinary project work.
Examination
Philosophy of Science:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Active participation

The completion of this course is based on active student participation in class. The course will be considered as passed if the students participation - based on an overall assessment - in the class activities fulfill the learning objectives of the course. The individual student’s participation is assessed by the teacher.
The student must participate in A combination of assignment and presentation
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Grading scale Pass / Fail
Examiner(s) Assessed solely by the teacher
Exam period Summer
Make-up exam/re-exam Home assignment - written product
Size of written product: Max. 15 pages
Assignment type: Written assignment
Duration: 72 hours to prepare
Description of activities
A combination of assignment and presentation: Active participation is the exam format for this course. Unlike the traditional final exam at the conclusion of a course, assessment is integrated into the learning journey and spread across a series of structured learning activities and assignments, supported by the teacher’s ongoing feedback. The aim is to cultivate a proactive and engaging learning environment that reduces exam stress, promotes deep learning, and facilitates the application of knowledge.

There will be small assignments throughout the course, including group and individual tasks. Assignments will be released in class.

To pass the exam, students must:

1) Pass 9 out of 11 individual assignments assigned in classes;
AND
2) Pass 4 out of 6 group work activities and presentations in workshops;
AND
3) Write an individual portfolio assignment of 5 pages.

If students do not meet the requirements for active participation, they can pass the exam by submitting a 15-page assignment tailored to cover the course curriculum and fulfill the learning objectives. The teacher will design an exam assignment that covers these requirements.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to philosophy of science, with particular emphasis on how diverse philosophical perspectives influence our understanding of knowledge and its role in scholarly and professional contexts. At its core, philosophy of science explores the conditions under which certain statements can be considered more valid, accurate, or "scientific" than others. It establishes the foundational criteria for evaluating knowledge claims and working analytically with empirical material.

 

By engaging with this course, students will acquire the tools to understand how different philosophical assumptions about the world shape our ideas of truth, knowledge, and scientific inquiry. This understanding fosters intellectual curiosity and a critical perspective and encourages students to see the ambiguities and complexities inherent in scholarly argumentation. The course thus improves students’ ability to evaluate, challenge, and refine knowledge claims—skills that are not only essential for academic success but also vital in knowledge-intensive professional environments, where competing forms of expertise must be assessed.

 

Throughout the course, students will be introduced to the major paradigms that have shaped the development of the social sciences and will evaluate their implications for understanding and addressing societal issues. The course is designed to support and contextualize other courses in the program by providing a meta-theoretical framework that enhances both coursework and project work.

 

Specifically, students will:

  1. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the various conceptions of science that have shaped the social sciences, and acknowledge their historical contexts.
  2. Gain insight into different perspectives on society and the individual, based on the ontological and epistemological assumptions of various philosophical traditions through engagement with primary texts.
  3. Learn to recognize the conceptual and methodological implications of adopting various philosophical perspectives and apply this understanding to their academic projects.

 

The course fosters reflective and critical engagement with the foundations of knowledge production, equipping students with a deeper appreciation of the relationship between philosophical assumptions and the practice of generating, analyzing, and applying business and societal knowledge.
Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • New theory
  • Teacher’s own research
  • Methodology
Research-like activities
  • Development of research questions
  • Analysis
  • Students conduct independent research-like activities under supervision
Description of the teaching methods
The teaching format is based on active participation and is dedicated to mobilizing the skills, knowledge, and capabilities developed within an interdisciplinary BSc Soc learning environment to critically identify, apply, and discuss the various philosophies of science presented in the syllabus.

Classes and workshops will include lectures, smaller group work, exercises, quizzes, and classroom discussions. The classes and workshops will also incorporate case teaching, primarily building on discussion about the students' previous projects, and the upcoming second-year project. Students are expected to prepare smaller presentations and assignments, and contribute during lectures and workshops.

The group work and peer evaluation through case orientation aim to foster an environment of critical discussions and constructive collaboration by encouraging continuous learning and teamwork.

A heavy workload is expected, involving complex theoretical readings. Individual preparation, live quizzes, individual and group work between classes, and minor written assignments or essays related to casework that will be presented and discussed in class are required activities.
Feedback during the teaching period
The course is based on active participation, which involves continuous feedback through lectures, assignments, and feedback sessions. Feedback will be provided during the course in the following four ways:

1. The teacher gives oral feedback on assignments, either collectively during the lectures or through group-oriented feedback.

2. Oral feedback is provided collectively during the lectures based on student answers in live quizzes (polling) and casework.

3. The workshops are specifically designed as feedback sessions focused on peer review and general oral teacher feedback. The teacher will provide continuous feedback during the workshop and offer final feedback on the entries related to workshop activities.

4. Quizzes and other IT tools are utilized on Canvas to ensure individual feedback on students' progression and understanding of the syllabus.

The lecturer determines when to use which methods.

Student workload
Lectures 24 hours
Preparation of lectures and workshops (min 2.5 h per 1h lecture) 96 hours
group assignments 24 hours
individual assignments 48 hours
workshops 14 hours
Last updated on 26-06-2025