Course syllabus for

Theory of Science, 3 credits

Vetenskapsteori, 3 hp
This course syllabus is valid from autumn 2015.
Please note that the course syllabus is available in the following versions:
Autumn2015 , Autumn2016 , Autumn2021
Course code
2PS034
Course name
Theory of Science
Credits
3 credits
Form of Education
Higher Education, study regulation 2007
Main field of study 
Psychology 
Level 
G2 - First cycle 2 
Grading scale
Fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG)
Department
Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Decided by
Programme Committee 8
Decision date
2014-11-07
Revised by
Programme Committee 8
Last revision
2015-05-07
Course syllabus valid from
Autumn 2015

Specific entry requirements

To be eligible to advance to this course, students must have no more than 15 credits remaining from the previous term, and no credits remaining from any terms preceding this.

Objectives

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

  • account for the meaning of basic terms and concepts that occur within the philosophy of science.
  • discuss theories within the philosophy of science with a critical and reflecting attitude.
  • relate concepts and theories within the philosophy of science to the psychological research field.

Content

The course gives an introduction to the philosophy of science. Example of subjects that are included in the course is: the knowledge concept, induction and deduction, falsificationism and paradigms.

Teaching methods

The course contains teacher-supervised lectures, at least one discussion seminar and writing of individual written assignment. The course assumes independent studies of course literature.

Examination

The course is examined with

1) Written examination
2) Individual written assignment

Examination and the written assignment is given one of the grades Failed, Passed and Passed with distinction. A passing grade on the entire course requires the grade Passed on examination and the written assignment. For a grade Pass with distinction on the entire course, the grade Pass with distinction is required both on the examination and on the written assignment.

Limitation in the number of examinations:
Students who do not pass a regular examination are entitled to re-sit the examination on five more occasions. If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no additional examination is given. Each occasion the student participates in the same test counts as an examination. Submission of blank exam is counted as an examination. In case a student is registered for an examination but does not attend, this is not regarded as an examination.
 

Transitional provisions

The transitional rules follow KI’s local guidelines.

Other directives

Course evaluation, based on the expected learning outcomes of the syllabus, takes place according to KI's local guidelines. Results and possible actions are communicated to the students in the course web page.

The course will not be credited in a degree together with another course the student has completed and passed which completely or partly corresponds to the contents of this course. The following course is (partly) overlapping: 2PS010, Theory of Science, 4.5 credits.

Literature and other teaching aids

Johansson, Lars-Göran Introduktion till vetenskapsteorin
Article, up to 100 pages.