MALK4100 Science, Behavior and Society Course description

Behavioral science as presented in the current program exists at the intersection between natural science and social science. The current course will introduce conceptual issues in science relevant to the program as a whole, outline relevant historical development of scientific ideas, as well as introduce the student to scientific methodology. Emphasis will be placed on complementary concepts in and communication among various sciences concerned with human behavior.

Admission to the study program

On successful completion of the course, the student has the following learning outcomes classified as knowledge, skills, and general competency:

Knowledge

The student can

• describe how conceptual and historical developments influence current practice in science
• discuss societal influences on scientific activities
• describe key characteristics of a natural science approach
• describe natural scientific methods, including experimental methodology
• discuss examples of similarities and differences between various fields concerned with human behavior, including approaches within the humanities, social science, and natural science
• discuss different levels of reduction in science
• describe complexity as a scientific approach and a framework for understanding spaces for communication across different field
• describe the principles of selection at different levels of complexity
• discuss how critical thinking and skepticism lead to ethical practice in science
• reflect on ethical considerations in science

Skills

The student can

• cite sources and arrange a reference list according to the current standard from American Psychology Association (APA) standard and describe appropriate and honest use of artificial intelligence in academic works
• use a digital reference manager for citations and references in written assignments
• communicate about scientific frameworks with individuals from different backgrounds

General competency

The student can

• describe how the same phenomenon can be approached and analysed from various perspectives
• describe how some approaches may conflict, while others are complementary
• produce concise academic texts that acknowledging the sources that are built upon, giving proper credit to the works of others

Campus-based lectures and seminars are the main teaching methods. Students read selected texts in advance for each day of class, and everyone is expected to participate in class through questions and through joining in discussion. Feedback is used on written assignments.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• Complete an online sequence consisting of 5 modules containing videos, texts, quizzes and/or short essay questions (up to 710 characters including spaces), within a given deadline.

Portfolio exam that includes:

• 3 individual written assignments submitted digitally, each with a maximum length of 6000 characters, including spaces. References are to be included in the 6000 characters.

Students may submit their exams in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

The students receive feedback once during the course on 1 of the written assignments before the portfolio is closed. The other submissions are without feedback during the course. All the components must be awarded a pass grade before the exam as a whole can be passed.

In the case of a new exam: If the student fails one assignment, the one assignment is taken again. The exam can be appealed.

All

Grade scale A-F

All answers are assessed by one examiner.

An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.