Master Topic in Philosophy of the Social Sciences

Postgraduate course

ECTS credits: 10
Teaching semesters: Autumn
Course code: FIL348
Number of semesters: 1
Teaching language: English or Norwegian
Resources: Schedule

Select course description for semester

Objectives and Content

The course attempts to formulate and clarify the basic assumptions of the methods used in the social sciences. The course can contain both informal components (eg, studies of the "comparative method" ', the "case-study method", studies of methodological individualism, interpretivism, relativism, etc.) as well as formal elements (concepts from probability theory, statistics, Bayesianism, decision theory , game theory, formal epistemology, etc.) The course can be organized either as an overview of several theories and methods or it can focus on just one or a few topics. FIL348 is intended to give students a deep understanding of the basic concepts, arguments and positions involved in the methods used in the social sciences. The main emphasis is on themes in contemporary philosophy, but it can often be relevant to use philosophical works and positions from earlier times. After completing the course, the students will be able to evaluate and communicate central theories and issues within the methods used in the social sciences and see the relevance of these in other contexts. The course should provide a basis for further studies in philosophy at the bachelor level.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

After completing the course, the student should have

- a good knowledge of important basic concepts, arguments and positions in the methods and theories used in the social sciences

Skills:

After completing the course, the student should be able to

- identify the strengths and weaknesses of different positions in connection with the methods and theories used in the social sciences

Competence:

After completing the course, the student should have competence

- to read articles and books at a relatively high professional level

The course provides the basis for further studies with a view to a bachelor's degree with specialization in philosophy. In combination with other subjects and subjects, it can be part of an education that qualifies for teaching philosophy in secondary school or high school. The course can also be used as an aid to deepen basic questions in connection with the study of other subjects.

ECTS Credits

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Autumn in odd years

Place of Instruction

Bergen

Required Previous Knowledge

Bachelor's degree with 90 ECTS. Specialization in philosophy or equivalent.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Good English skills are essential, since one must expect that a lot of the syllabus is in English.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

FIL348 overlaps 10 SP with FIL248 (Methods of Analysis in Social Sciences).

Access to the Course

This course is open to students who have been admitted to the Master's programme in philosophy. All other students require permission in order to register for this course. Please contact studieveileder@fof.uib.no to apply.

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching takes the form of lectures and / or seminars.

If fewer than four students are registered, the number of lectures may be reduced. The students will be offered individual or small group teaching.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

An approval of mandatory work requirements is valid for three semesters from and with the semester in which the approval was given the first time, in accordance with ordinary rules.

Submission of a draft of the semester assignment paper before supervision.

Supervision of the semester assignment.

Forms of Assessment

A supervised essay of between 4000 and 6000 words (not including content list, literature list etc). The topic of the assignment must be approved by the subject teacher beforehand. The assignment will be delivered digitally and will be censored at the end of the semester.

The compulsory work requirements must be approved before the examination can be taken in the course.

Compulsory work requirements must be approved in one semester with teaching in order to be able to register for an exam in a semester without teaching.

Assessment in a semester without teaching follows the syllabus the previous semester the course had teaching.

Grading Scale

Grading scale from A to F

Assessment Semester

Autumn/Spring

The compulsory work requirements must be approved before the examination can be taken in the course.

Reading List

The list of literature is available on uib.no July 1st for the fall semester and January 1st for the spring semester.

Course Evaluation

Course evaluations hosted in accordance with UiB's quality assurance system.

Programme Committee

The teaching committee for the professional study in philosophy.

Course Coordinator