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VITHF900: Theory of science and ethics

VITHF900 engages Ph.D. candidates in research ethics and in key areas of theory of science with an emphasis on the humanities and the relationship between research and society.

Bilde av bygg på HF-fakultetet med tre i front
The Faculty of Humanities, University of Bergen.
Photo:
Eivind Senneset/UiB

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Ph.D. course: VITHF900 Theory of Science and Ethics with Supervised Paper

VITHF900 (10 ECTS) engages Ph.D. candidates in research ethics, and in key areas of theory of science with an emphasis on the humanities, and the relationship between research and society. In addition to lectures, and discussions of these topics in a seminar setting, the course gives candidates the possibility to develop a longer paper in theory of science and/or ethics that bear directly on their field of research or Ph.D. project. The candidates write their papers in a supervised and deliberative process with representatives from the SVT and a small group of co-students.

The course is only open for Ph.D. candidates at the Faculty of Humanities and the Grieg Academy - Department of Music at the University of Bergen UiB.

The course is held by The Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities (SVT) in the spring semester. The five-day seminar is usually held in January.

The course is held in English.

Content

  1. Five-day seminar with lectures and discussions on theory of science and ethics.
  2. Paper (4000-6000 words) discussing ethical and/or methodological or scientific problems with relevance for the candidate’s own field of research or PhD-project.
  3. Supervision of paper, individually and in discussion groups.
  4. Presentation of the paper with comments from a committee with representatives from the SVT and from their own department.

Note that VITHF900 overlaps with Theory of Science and Ethics VITHF905 (5 ECTS) and covers thus the mandatory part of the research training for Ph.D. candidates at the Faculty of Humanities and the Grieg Academy - Institute of Music. VITHF900 consists of the same four-day seminar as VITHF905, but it requires a longer paper, participation in supervision and a discussion group, as well as a presentation of the paper.

Course description

Kategori

 Tekst 

Emnekode

VITHF900

Namn på emnet, nynorsk

Vitskapsteori og etikk med rettleia paper

Namn på emnet, bokmål

Vitenskapsteori og etikk med veiledet paper

Namn på emnet, engelsk

Theory of Science and Ethics with Supervised Paper

Studiepoeng, omfang

 

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Studienivå (studiesyklus)

 

Level of Study

Ph.D.

Fulltid/deltid

 

Full-time/Part-time

 

Undervisningsspråk

English

Undervisningssemester

 

Semester of Instruction

Spring

Undervisningsstad

 

Place of Instruction

 

The Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities (SVT). Two of the four seminar days are normally held outside of Bergen.

Mål og innhald

 

 

 

 

Objectives and Content

The aim of the course is 1) to engage Ph.D. candidates in key areas of theory of science with an emphasis on the philosophy of humanities and research ethics, as well the relationship between research and society, and 2) to offer candidates an arena for critical reflection upon their own field of research and their Ph.D. projects, and 3) to develop this into a paper in a process with feedback from co-students and supervisors.

 

Læringsutbytte

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the course and the presentation and discussion of the paper, the Ph.D. candidate is expected to have demonstrated: Knowledge of general problems of theory of science and ethics, and an ability to identify and discuss such problems as applying to the candidate’s  field of research and to presuppositions for his or her Ph.D. project.

 

 

Krav til forkunnskapar

Masters degree, or equivalent.

 

Tilrådde forkunnskapar                                      

 

 

Studiepoengsreduksjon

 

Krav til studierett

 

Ph.D.-candidates enrolled in the Ph.D. program at the Faculty of Humanities and at the Grieg Academy - Department of Music at the University of Bergen UiB.

Arbeids- og undervisningsformer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teaching and Learning Methods

 

Lectures, plenary discussions, group discussions, supervision in groups and/or individually, commenting on co-students’ drafts, public presentation of paper.

 

 

Obligatorisk undervisningsaktivitet

 

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

1. Prepare for (read text compendium) and take part in the four-day seminar in the theory of science and ethics at the Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities (SVT). The course takes place annually in January and February. Attendance at seminar: min. 80%.

 

2. Take part in supervision of the paper in groups and/or individually.

 

3. Comment on two co-students’ paper drafts

 

4. Present the paper. The presentation takes place in the form of a public lecture (30 min.) followed by a discussion with committee members and peers (45 min.). The paper must be recommended by an assessment committee before it can be presented.

 

 

Vurderingsformer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forms of Assessment

 

A paper (4000-6000 words) on a self-chosen topic on a problem in theory of science and/or ethics with relevance for the candidate’s field of research or own project. The paper must be recommended for submission before it can be submitted.

 

Main emphasis of assessment will be the paper, the presentation of the paper, and discussion of the paper after the presentation.

 

Final assessment is given by the committee after the presentation and discussion.

 

The members of the assessment committee are proposed jointly by the Ph.D. candidate’s home department and the SVT. The committee shall normally consist of the supervisor of the Ph.D. project, a representative of the faculty at the candidate’s department/academic field, and a representative from the SVT. The committee is appointed by the SVT.

 

Deadline for submitting paper is early spring 2022. Presentation of the paper will take place before the end of spring term.

 

The Department shall make copies of the recommended manuscript available to the public within one week before the presentation.

 

 

Hjelpemiddel til eksamen

 

Examination Support Material

 

Karakterskala

 

 

 

 

 

Grading Scale

Approved/not approved

Vurderingssemester

 

 

Assessment Semester

Spring

Litteraturliste

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading List

 Will be made available before December 1st.

 

Emneevaluering

 

Course Evaluation

 

Participating candidates will evaluate the course at the end of the semester.

Programansvarleg

 

Course Coordinator

 

Programstyret har ansvar for fagleg innhald og oppbygging av studiet og for kvaliteten på studieprogrammet og alle emna der.

Emneansvarleg

Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities (SVT)

Administrativt ansvarleg

 

Course Administrator

 

Adviser; Idunn Tandstad

Idunn.Tandstad@uib.no

 

Kontaktinformasjon

 

Contact Information

Adviser; Idunn Tandstad

Idunn.Tandstad@uib.no