SIW4301 Philosophy of Social Science Emneplan

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.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• thorough knowledge of main social science philosophy topics relevant to social welfare and health policy studies
• knowledge of theories and concepts enabling systematic reflection on social science

Skills

The student can

• analyse, discuss and evaluate social science from the viewpoint of philosophy of science

General competence

The student has

• thorough understanding of the relation between actual research and theories about research
• a well developed understanding of the foundations of research results and design

The teaching consists of lectures on campus and digital lectures, seminars and tutorials related to the coursework requirements. Students are expected to play an active role.

The following required coursework must be approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Coursework 1: Essay of 500 words (+-10%).
• Coursework 2: Essay of 500 words (+-10%).
• Coursework 3: Essay of 500 words (+-10%).

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If one or more coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given the opportunity to submit an improved version one time by the given deadline. Coursework that is not approved on the second submission will disqualify the student from taking the exam.

The exam in the course is an individual supervised exam of 6 hours.

No aids are permitted.

Grade scale A - F.

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.

This course is designed to develop and deepen the understanding of GIS and to introduce spatial analytics to students. The course situates methods and theory in the urban analysis field and makes use of the student’s previous knowledge in GIS and spatial data handling to formulate and test theories and methods that are essential for studies of urban and regional functions. The urban landscape is multifaceted, and the complex interaction between land-use and mobility, space-time usage and cost are just a few examples of how the urban landscape both constitutes the platform for urban interaction but also being in a state of constant change. Methods taught will enable the student to describe the functionality and complexity of urban networks and space-time patterns, spatial clusters, the relationship between land-use and spatial and place-based factors and will thus provide the knowledge and the skills necessary for both being able to understand urban analytics as a subject and prepare the students for being able to use the tools of the profession.