- Course code: PHD901
- Credits: 5
- Language: English
Study program affiliation:
Theory of Science and Research Ethics PHD901
The course, together with PHD902, offers advanced training in the theory of science, highlighting historical and contemporary perspectives and critical conceptual and fundamental issues. The main aim is to provide students with solid competence in different theoretical approaches to science and scholarly work to help them understand the constitutive elements at work in developing research. By exposing students to knowledge about different positions shared among and relevant to various disciplines, the course also provides insights into the interdisciplinary field to which their research is related. Furthermore, the course includes discussions about ethics and normativity pertaining to research in the social and human sciences.
- How do scholars constitute their research object, and what contributes to such constitution?
- Which methodologies are considered in the humanities and social sciences?
- What is the role of hermeneutics and pragmatics in such research?
- What do different theoretical positions, such as critical realism and constructivism, entail when designing a research project?
- Which ethical guidelines for humanities and social sciences are essential for conducting responsible research?
MODES OF TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Mandatory presentations by the students
- Workshops
- Paper writing
The course is offered every second autumn semester- approximately 20 hours distributed over four days. Both PHD901 and PHD902 are mandatory in MF's PhD program. However, the order in which the courses are taken is arbitrary. The order in which the candidate takes the respective course has some implications for the course requirement; see more under "Study Requirements" below.
Study requirements
- Attend the course seminar (min. 75 %)
- Submit a draft (1000-1500 words) for a course paper two weeks before the first session based on your reading of the curriculum so far and, if relevant, its potential for your dissertation
- Respond to the paper and questions of one fellow PhD student
- Either submit a draft for a course paper within three weeks after the course (1000-1500 words) or submit a final version (4000-5000 words) within three weeks after the course.
- Participate in the evaluation of the course if such evaluation is stipulated in the relevant term
Clarification:
If this is your first theory of Science course (either PHD901 or PHD902): Submit a short paper (1000-1500 words) three weeks before the course, revise it after the course, and resubmit it three weeks after the course (1000-1500 words)
If this is your second Theory of science course (PHD901 or PHD902): Submit a short paper (1000-1500 words) three weeks before the course, revise and extend it after the course, and submit a long paper (4000-5000 words) within three weeks after the course.
Final assessment/Exam
FINAL ASSESSMENT
The course is graded ‘passed’/’not passed.’
Learning outcome
Knowledge
The candidate
- is at the forefront of knowledge within the field of historical and contemporary perspectives of the theory of science
- can evaluate the expediency and application of different methods and processes in research projects in humanities and social sciences
- can contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories, methods, interpretations, and forms of documentation in humanities and social sciences
- has profound insight into the ethical guidelines for humanities and social sciences
Skills
The candidate can
- formulate problems, plan, and carry out research at an international level
- handle complex academic issues and challenge established knowledge and practice in humanities and social sciences
General competence
The candidate can
- identify relevant ethical issues and carry out his/her research with scholarly integrity
- manage interdisciplinary assignments and projects
- communicate research and development work through recognized Norwegian and international channels
- assess the need for new knowledge and initiate and practice innovation
Reading list
Here you can find the reading list for this course.
Part of the literature will be available digitally, while other parts might only be available in paper format. Some of the literature will be available as compendiums, which you can find via the course room in Canvas.
You will automatically get access to literature that is available digitally when you are sitting at MF, otherwise you can get access by using Oria or by using "External access" in the library's list of databases.
Note that it will take some time before link to the reading list is updated. Please make sure that you are looking at the correct semester's reading list.
Course responsible
