Course
Philosophy of Social Sciences (PHD102)
The general aim of the philosophy of social science is to resolve the many axiological, ontological, epistemological and methodological issues to which social science gives rise. The course provides an introduction to current debates over some of the most important of these issues.
Dette er emnebeskrivelsen for studieåret 2025-2026. Merk at det kan komme endringer.
Fakta
Emnekode
PHD102
Vekting (stp)
5
Semester undervisningsstart
Autumn
Undervisningsspråk
English
Antall semestre
1
Vurderingssemester
Autumn
Content
The course focuses on the following issues:
- The general nature of social science, and the relation between social science and natural science.
- The general nature of social reality, and the sense in which social phenomena may be said to be socially constructed.
- The role of values in social science, and the sense in which, and the extent to which, social science can be objective.
- The role of causal claims in social science, and the scientific significance of having to distinguish between different concepts of causation and causal evidence.
- The nature of explanation in social science, and the difference between holism and individualism about explanation.
- The role of interpretation in social science, and the sense in which, and the extent to which, social science may be characterized as interpretative.
- The nature of rationality, and the role of rationality assumptions in social science.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
After completing the course, students should:
- Have advanced knowledge of central issues in the philosophy of social science.
- Have advanced knowledge of major approaches to the relevant issues.
- Have advanced knowledge of the relevance of the philosophy of social science for social scientific research.
Skills
After completing the course, students should:
- Be able to formulate new research questions within the philosophy of social science.
- Be able to conduct research in the philosophy of social science at an international level.
- Be able to apply concepts and theories within the philosophy of social science to social scientific research in fruitful ways.
General competence
After completing the course, students should:
- Be able to communicate the results of research in the philosophy of social science through recognized national and international channels.
- Be able to participate in debates within the philosophy of social science in international fora.
- Be able to identify new and relevant ethical challenges, and conduct their research with academic integrity.
Forkunnskapskrav
Anbefalte forkunnskaper
Exam
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual paper | 1/1 | Passed / Not Passed |
An individual paper of 4000 words (+/- 10%) in English on a self-chosen topic approved by the instructor. The paper must be submitted six weeks after the end of the course and will be evaluated as Pass/Fail.