| Unit name | Philosophy of Science |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHIL20067 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Karim Thebault |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Philosophy |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit examines central issues in contemporary general philosophy of science. It would complement units offered in philosophy of particular sciences but is designed as a stand-alone unit focusing on scientific methodology and epistemology. Topics studied include: falsificationism and induction; probability and Bayesian confirmation; scientific explanation; scientific revolutions; underdetermination; laws of nature; realism versus antirealism; science and risk. The unit does not assume either previous study of philosophy of science or experience of studying science, although it does demand a willingness to become familiar with illustrative examples, from science, of the philosophical issues. Suggested initial background reading: Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction, Samir Okasha (2002, OUP).
An overview of content:
This unit examines central issues in contemporary general philosophy of science. It would complement units offered in philosophy of particular sciences but is designed as a stand-alone unit focusing on scientific methodology and epistemology. Topics studied include: falsificationism and induction; probability and Bayesian confirmation; scientific explanation; scientific revolutions; underdetermination; laws of nature; realism versus antirealism; science and risk. The unit does not assume either previous study of philosophy of science or experience of studying science, although it does demand a willingness to become familiar with illustrative examples, from science, of the philosophical issues. Suggested initial background reading: Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction, Samir Okasha (2002, OUP)
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
More generally, students will appreciate the way in which academic philosophy very often examines the foundations and methods of other disciplines. Specifically, students will appreciate that the aims and practice of science raise a host of epistemological and metaphysical issues.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the unit students will be able to:
Lectures, small group work, individual exercises, seminars and virtual learning environment.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
None
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHIL20067).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
