The course will present the main features of central traditions and positions in the philosophy of science. The relation between basic problems in philosophy of science and concrete methodological issues will be elucidated. The aim is a thorough understanding of presuppositions influencing own research, and methodological and theoretical challenges emerging in research on diakonia and professional practice. The intrinsic relation between knowledge, science and values will be discussed. Furthermore, ethical issues in scientific practices and research will be treated, including principles of research ethics, guidelines from the national committees on research ethics, and relevant legal regulations.

Main Subjects:

• Main traditions and positions in the philosophy of science.
• Basic issues in the philosophy of science related to methodological questions in research on diakonia and professional practice.
• Knowledge, science and values.
• Research ethics; guidelines, principles and legislation.

Participant activity will be central in group discussions and presentations of PhD projects.

Students enrolled in the course will receive a text compendium with parts of the literature on the reading list on e-mail.

Sessions

One week daily Monday to Friday on campus (may be subject to change due to the Corona situation). A combination of lectures, group discussions and presentation of the candidates’ PhD-projects. This course uses Canvas as the platform for information and lectures.

Time and place

Date: 30.11 - 4.12.2020

Place: VID Diakonhjemmet (Campus Oslo)

Compulsory assignments

Reading before the course:

It is expected that participants are familiar with the relevant literature before the course. The reading list is available below. Bibliography for the course is approximately 800 pages.

Pre-course paper:

Participants are asked to submit a written text ahead of the course, approximately 1-2 pages. The text should reflect on the relation between theory of science and methodological choices made in the candidates PhD project. During the course there will be time for presentations, followed by questions and discussion relating it to the thematic of the course.

Deadline for submission of written text: 16. November 2020.

Please submit to magdalene.thomassen@vid.no

Assessment

Paper

In order to obtain 10 ECTS, students must submit a written paper of max. 3500 words, references excluded (ca. 10 pages, 1.5 line spacing). Normal academic standard in terms of structure, references and bibliography is expected. With the candidates ongoing PhD project as a frame of reflection, the paper should imperatively discuss topics from the course and central questions within the philosophy of science.

Deadline for submission of written paper: January 29, 2021, in Inspera Assessment

You will find more information about Inspera Assessment in the course pages at Canvas.

Course plan

Course plan