Syllabus for Scientific Theory for Social Scientists
Vetenskapsteori för samhällsvetare
Syllabus
- 7.5 credits
- Course code: 2EH406
- Education cycle: Second cycle
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Main field(s) of study and in-depth level:
Economic History A1N
- Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG)
- Established: 2007-03-01
- Established by:
- Revised: 2018-05-14
- Revised by: The Department Board
- Applies from: Autumn 2020
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Entry requirements:
Accepted to the Master's Programme in the Social Sciences.
- Responsible department: Department of Economic History
- Other participating department(s): Department of Human Geography, Department of Sociology, Department of food studies, nutrition and dietetics, Department of Psychology, Department of Informatics and Media, Institute for Housing and Urban Research, Department of Education
Decisions and guidelines
This course is a compulsory skill course within the Master's Programme in the Social Sciences.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student should:
- be able to discuss and account for epistemological problems in relation to social scientific concept formation and methodology.
- be able to describe generally the development of ideas in the philosophy of the social sciences.
- be able to carry out a critical analysis of the theoretical foundations within different areas of the social sciences.
Content
The course aims to give a basic orientation in epistemology and the philosophy of science. The lectures will provide a deeper understanding of epistemological issues and problems that are fundamental for modern social scientific concept formation and construction of methods. On the basis of this understanding, the aim of the course is to give the students the prerequisites to be able to discuss and communicate between different subjects and scientific traditions.
Seminars deal with classical and contermporary original texts from different theoretical traditions, such as positivism, critical rationalism, phenomenology, hermeneutics, post structuralism, feminism and social constructivism. With this background, the students should be able to systematically reflect on their own research fields in a larger philosophical, historical and theoretical context. On the basis of these texts different issues are discussed: What is a scientific fact? What is meant by concepts such as knowledge and objectivity? What is the relationship between science and values in the social sciences? What does the possible distinctive character of the social sciences consist of?
Instruction
The teaching can consist of lectures, lessons, group exercises and seminars.
Assessment
The course is examined through written assignments and active seminar participation. Ranked grades are given for the course.
If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.
Reading list
Reading list
Applies from: Autumn 2022
Some titles may be available electronically through the University library.
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Butler, Judith
Subjects of Sex/Gender/Desire
Part of:
Gender trouble : feminism and the subversion of identityNew York: Routledge, 1999.
Mandatory
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Descartes, René;
Moriarty, Mike.
Meditations on first philosophy : with selections from the Objections and replies
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Mandatory
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Durkheim, ©mile;
Lukes, Steven.;
Halls, W. D.
The rules of sociological method : and selected texts on sociology and its method
Free Press trade paperback ed.: New York: Free Press, 2014.
Mandatory
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Marx, Karl;
Engels, Friedrich;
Arthur, C. J.
The German ideology. : Part one
London: Electric Book Co., c2001.
Mandatory
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Schuetz, Alfred
Common-Sense and Scientific Interpretation of Human Action
Part of:
Philosophy and phenomenological research : a quarterly journalMandatory
Additional articles will be specified in the course instructions
Reading list revisions
- Latest reading list (applies from Autumn 2022)
- Previous reading list (applies from Autumn 2020)