This course provides an introduction to the history and philosophy of science to enable students to have a foundation for understanding how knowledge is created and validated in the natural and social sciences. Starting from the basic concepts of ontology, epistemology and methodology the material covered moves on to induction and deduction and logical empiricism.  Having covered these basic aspects of philosophy of science the role of validating information and creating knowledge in a critical social science framing is explored. These topics are covered in lectures and through readings. The course introduces students to basic concepts in the history and philosophy of science in order to help understand where interdisciplinarity enters into research and policy and how it is challenged and challenging. Understanding different approaches and justifications for epistemologies and methodologies will allow students to critically evaluate the grounds upon which different experts make their knowledge claims in public policy fora. The lectures are followed-up with reading sessions where specific questions are raised in relation to understanding in social sciences with emphasis on implications for social ecological economics.

At the end of the course students will comprehend and be able to explain a range of terminology in philosophy of science.  They will be aware of basic flaws associated with different approaches to creating scientific understanding and generating knowledge. The historical context within which ideas developed and how modernity arose is a key aspect of the course. The role of specific philosophers in the development of scientific thought will be learnt and students will be able to associate specific philosophical ideas with key individuals.  The course aims to enable students to comprehend the different ontological and epistemological assumptions in different bodies of research today and as used by different disciplinary experts in addressing social and environmental problems. This will aid them in critical analysis of speakers, written work and policy documents. More generally they will question their own beliefs and start to develop a mode of critical thinking and analysis.

• lectures
• readings
• presentations
• written assignments
• film night and discussion
• interactive engagement (answering questions, class discussions)

Classroom Etiquette:
Please turn-off and do not use mobile communication devices or computers in class, you should be paying attention to the lecturer and class discussions not communicating externally.

Absence from Class:
Any absence from class should be notified to the course tutor in advance.  Please note the course attendance requirements under assessment criteria.

Evaluation criteria: written exam, class attendance and participation, discussion group preparation and ability to respond to questions and engage in discussions.

• 15% class project
• 15% participation
• 20% reading assignment
• 50% exam

Students who fail the exam are allowed one re-sit. The score of students who pass the re-sit is 51% (lowest possible pass-score)

N.B. passing the exam is compulsory and failure to do so will mean you fail the course; there is one retake chance but (as noted above) you cannot score more than a pass on that.

In addition, there is a basic pass/fail course attendance requirement.  That is, you cannot miss more than 4 hrs of class (equivalent of two class sessions) over the entire semester.  This allowance is for serious unforeseen circumstances and should not be used simply for taking time-off, job interviews, working, planned into holidays or similar.