PINS9100 Philosophy of Science in Sustainability Course description

Sustainable development implies inter-, multi- and transdisciplinary encounters. The course will introduce the candidates to different research methodologies especially suitable to illuminate complex phenomena and expose the candidates to opportunities and challenges of inter- and transdisciplinary research collaboration. The candidates will get comprehensive insight into Responsible Research and Innovation and acquire skills in analysis and reflection on ethical dilemmas in research. The candidates will learn to develop a research design appropriate for their PhD project. The syllabus may be abbreviated and adapted to fit the interest of the participants of the course in cooperation with the supervisors.

Completed Master’s degree (120 ECTS credits) or equivalent education level.

Upon completing the course, the candidates are expected to have gained the following learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and general competence).

Knowledge

The candidate:

• has an extensive understanding of what philosophy of science is
• has in depth knowledge of philosophy of science applied in sustainability studies
• has in depth understanding of the normative and structural positions and implications of various ontological and epistemological perspectives in the philosophy of science of sustainability

Skills

The candidate:

• can integrate philosophy of science in research tasks and reflect on own research project
• can discuss different ontological and epistemological perspectives in sustainability research
• can participate in debates on the philosophy of science foundations in their own field and in relation to different research traditions
• can critically assess research through analysis of discourses, norms, vlaues, concepts, models, and methods

General competence

The candidate:

• can identify and analyse philosophy of science problems and issues within their own and others’ research
• can recognize and discuss normativity and values in sustainability studies
• can identify and discuss the meanings and uses of concepts and definitions relating to sustainability as a discursive field that dictate action and charter directions for change

Upon completing the course, the candidates are expected to have gained the following learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, and general competence).

Knowledge

The candidate:

• has advanced knowledge about opportunities and challenges of inter- and transdisciplinary research
• has comprehensive knowledge about research ethics
• has a good understanding of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and how to translate this into new, responsible practices.

Skills

The candidate:

• can reflect critically on strengths and weaknesses of various methods for production of knowledge
• can make a valid interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary or multidisciplinary research design
• has advanced skills in co-creation of knowledge
• can contribute to advanced collaboration in inter- and transdisciplinary disciplinary projects
• can analyse and reflect on ethical dilemmas in data collection

General competence

The candidate:

• can communicate in inter- and transdisciplinary teams
• can identify transfer value from empirical studies to other areas
• can translate the principles of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) into practice for socially and environmentally robust science and innovation

Learning activities may include lectures, workshops, fieldwork, group work, and individual work.

Individual glossary (4000-5000 words). The glossary will discuss relevant terms that relate to the understandings and meanings of sustainability in the candidate’s PhD project. Cover page, illustrations, and list of references come in addition.

If a glossary is graded fail, the candidate has one opportunity to resubmit a revised glossary within a given time-period.

All examination support material is allowed if source reference and quotation technique requirements are applied.

Individual essay (4000-5000 words). The essay will discuss the most important theoretical aspects from the syllabus, with relevance for the candidate’s PhD project. Cover page, illustrations, and list of references come in addition.

If an essay is graded fail, the candidate has one opportunity to resubmit a revised essay within a given time-period.

The final essay is assessed by the course lecturer and one other examinator. External examinators will be used regularly. The assessment of the essay is based on the learning outcomes for the course.

The requirement for admission to the course is confirmation of admission to a PhD programme or documentation that you are in the process of being admitted to one of the faculty's two PhD programmes (Engineering Science or Innovation for Sustainability).

Cecilie Sachs Olsen