Theory of Science and Ethics with Supervised Paper

Ph.D. -course

ECTS credits: 10
Teaching semesters
Course code: VITHF900
Number of semesters: 1
Teaching language: English
Resources: Schedule

Select course description for semester

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.

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.

ECTS Credits

Level of Study

PhD

Semester of Instruction

Spring

Required Previous Knowledge

Masters degree, or equivalent.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

None

Access to the Course

Ph.D.-candidates enrolled in the Ph.D. program at the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Bergen.

Teaching and learning methods

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

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 one co-student's paper

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.

Forms of Assessment

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

The assesment consists of:

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.
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.

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

Grading Scale

Approved/not approved

Assessment Semester

Spring

Reading List

Will be made available before December 1st.

Course Evaluation

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

Programme Committee

The Program Board is responsible for the academic content and structure of the study program, and for the quality of all the subjects therein.

Course Coordinator

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

Course Administrator