SIW4301 Philosophy of Social Science Course description

This course is designed to inform and enrich the material learned in the research methods courses. It combines a descriptive and a normative approach to reflection on social science.

Among topics covered, are the role of values in research, objectivity, realism, social constructivism, social ontology, feminist philosophy of science, evidence-based policy, and causality.

Language of instruction is English

None.

This course will be dedicated to specific research traditions and approaches in library and information science (LIS), and their current applications. The focus will be on different theoretical or methodological themes each time the course is taught.

Research in library and information science (LIS) generally focuses on understanding relations between information, knowledge and/or culture and their potential use/users. It may be grounded in humanistic, social scientific or technological perspectives. The course will be focused around a specific set of theories and/or methodologies related to LIS, and past and current debates in the research field will be addressed.

The teaching consists of lectures (including electronic lectures), seminars and tutorials related to the coursework requirements. Students are expected to play an active role.

The following coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam:

Students must submit three essays on the philosophy of social science (500 Words each).

The four essays are separately awarded a Pass or Fail. A Pass in all of them qualifies for sitting the school exam.

Students whose coursework requirement is not approved may resubmit once. If not approved after two submissions the student will be disqualified from sitting the final school examination.

The assessment consists of a six hour school exam.

Students may use a spelling dictionary, as well as a bilingual dictionary during the written school exam.

All examination support material is allowed as long as source reference and quotation technique requirements are applied.;

The exam papers are assessed by an internal and an external examiner.

A random selection consisting of at least 25% of the exam papers will be graded by both an internal and external examiner. This will inform the grading of the remaining exam papers.

The essay will be graded by the internal assessors.