Philosophy of science for the social sciences

About the course

Important dates and deadlines

Course period:  1 November - 19 January 2025
Application deadline: 1 October 2024

Click here to apply.

Overview

The course introduces a broad range of classical and contemporary texts in the tradition of the philosophy of science for the social sciences as well as influential debates in the field. The course provides an overview of the history of the philosophy of science for the social sciences and critical contemporary positions in the field such as positivist theory, realism, and materialism as well as hermeneutics, phenomenology, critical theory, constructivism, post-structuralism, and postcolonialism. The course brings together contesting epistemologies and ontologies focused on how to grasp, understand, and analyse various social worlds. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to reflect on and consider the ways in which the tradition of the philosophy of science for the social sciences could provide an analytical entry to enhance their research.

The language of instruction will be English or Swedish, depending on the student group.

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge and overview of various influential schools in the philosophy of science for the social sciences.
•  Show familiarity with theoretical key concepts in a range of schools in the philosophy of science for the social sciences. Competence and skills
•  Identify analytical strengths and shortcomings of various schools in the tradition of the philosophy of science for the social sciences.
•  Conceptualise and explore dissertation related research questions and problems by engaging with different schools in the philosophy of science for the social sciences. Judgement and approach
•  Critically consider a range of contributions in the philosophy of science for the social sciences and their impact on diverse social science disciplines.
•  Reflect on the relevance of different philosophy of science for the social sciences schools for critical social scientific inquiry, research, and debate.