TOS-H23

About the course

The course gives an introduction to theories of science and relevant social science and humanities scholarship, with an emphasis on the history and philosophy of science and the social organization and dynamics of various academic fields, including their strategies for producing knowledge and the interaction between research and society. This includes an introduction to critical perspectives, such as post-/decolonial and feminist perspectives on science.

The overall aim of the course is to help the participants to successfully conduct their PhD project. Success ultimately and invariably depends on hard scientific work, but what "success" means is defined by institutional, societal, and political contexts within which scientific knowledge is produced. The course engages with issues such as philosophical assumptions underlying high-quality scholarship, making claims about truth and objectivity, professional and societal relevance of science, and navigation of academic challenges. To contribute to a better understanding of contemporary academic work, insights into the history of science and academic scholarship and the key features of the modern university are conveyed. Moreover, the course provides one of the few arenas in which PhD students from a wide variety of disciplines meet and work together, which increases their interdisciplinary sensitivities.

Formalities

The course is given over six days, with lectures on the following 3 x 2 days,
from 09.15 to 15.45:

Day 1 Philosophy and ethics I (Thomas, Jonathan): 20.09.

Day 2 Philosophy and ethics II (Mattias, May): 21.09.

Day 3 Science as institution and practice I (Terje, Govert): 04.10.

Day 4 Science as institution and practice II (Knut, Thomas): 05.10.

Day 5 Critical perspectives I (Sofia, Elisabeth): 15.11.

Day 6 Critical perspectives II (Thomas): 16.11.

Mini-conference: 24.11.

I. 21-22 March: Philosophy and research ethics II. 11-12 April: Theories about science in context III. 8-9 May: Critical perspectives

In addition, the conference papers are presented in a public conference organised by the course taking place June 5th.

Venues for lectures: Dragvoll campus

The course consists of lectures, group work, and plenary discussions. To ensure sufficient engagement with the course’s content, to enable peer-learning and to encourage networking across disciplines physical attendance is mandatory and no digital alternatives for participation are provided. Participants can apply for shorter leaves of absence that should altogether not be longer than one day.

You will be given access to the course literature in a Dropbox folder. Designated core texts should be read before the course days.

Lecturers

Professor Thomas Berker (course responsible: thomas.berker@ntnu.no), Associate Professor Terje Finstad, Professor Jonathan Knowles, Associate Professor Elisabeth Stubberud, Researcher Mattias Solli, Professor emeritus Knut H. Sørensen, Professor Siri Øyslebø Sørensen, Professor May Thorseth, and Research Professor Govert Valkenburg.

Communication

This website is the main and authoritative channel of communication to the participants. For individual questions, please contact the course responsible thomas.berker@ntnu.no.

Here are all files published as part of this autumn's Theories of Science course (KULT8850/1).

• the updated program (which will be published in August)
• the readings

All files including the readings are published as releases (see the releases-button on top or use this link), where the newest release is on top. Those of you who consider themselves computer-literate can clone this repository and/or follow changes through the rss feed - or even get an account from me to be able to push changes.

Credit points

To pass the course, you need to attend the lectures, present a paper at the course conference, and deliver a course assignment text (see below). The deadline for the course assignment is August 31st, 2023.

KULT8850 gives 7,5 credit points, which presupposes a presentation at the course conference and delivering an extended abstract (1000-2000 words). 

KULT8851 gives 10 credit points. In addition to the presentation at the course conference a conference paper has to be delivered (4000-5000 words). 

Required readings

Readings are listed under each of the lectures. All the literature is accessible online or will be made available to the participants in a drop box folder to which they will be given access. Reading and preparing for lectures: All the essential literature must be read before the lectures. Please make sure to prepare some comments/questions for the readings.