PSYK1100 Philosophy of Science, and Ethics Course description

The course highlights key issues in the Western history of ideas. These form the basis for choosing methods based on a research/evidence-based perspective, and for our understanding of the importance of science to general academic knowledge.

Admission to the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge 

The student can

• describe the most important areas of the philosophy of science (metaphysics, epistemology and ethics) and selected perspectives from the philosophy of science
• explain the philosophy of science as a basis for psychology and behaviour analysis as disciplines
• explain scientific method
• explain different theories of ethics
• explain the ethical guidelines and guidelines for professional conduct that are described by the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
• describe the key principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the Regulations of the Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics (REC)

Skills

The student can

• describe and reflect on ethical issues relevant to the psychology field
• describe and reflect on conflicts of values and ethical dilemmas at individual, group and society levels
• describe and reflect on experiment as a scientific method

Competence 

The student can

• reflect on positions in the philosophy of science in relation to choices of methods and different theories of normative ethics

Work and teaching methods used in the course are lectures and self-study. Seminars will also be held where the students present subject matter. Participation in these seminars is compulsory. Students will present texts from the syllabus, encourage discussion and receive guidance on further reading. During the course, the students will submit four assignments related to key topics in the syllabus. The assignments will be set by the lecturer. The students’ learning outcomes will be documented through presentations, written papers and the examination.

To prepare for the examination must the following obtain approved:

• Minimum 80% participation in compulsory teaching days and seminars
• Presentation of given subject matter
• 4 individual, written assignments according to given criteria, maximum 900 words.

Supervised written examination (school examination), 4 hours

None

Grade scale A-F 

One internal and one external examiner