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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014 -
- ARCHIVE as at 1 September 2013 for reference only
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Philosophy

Postgraduate Course: Advanced Topics in Philosophy of Science MSc (PHIL11121)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeStandard AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaPhilosophy Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThe course, consisting of lectures and seminars, will be structured around three core topics in contemporary philosophy of science. Natural kinds, causation, and laws of nature are deeply interconnected metaphysical notions. Are there natural kinds carving nature at its joints? Is causation an objective feature of nature? And, to what extent do our laws of nature express causal dispositions, and are read off from natural kinds? In the first part of this course, we focus on natural kinds, and a series of epistemological, metaphysical and semantic issues surrounding them. In the second part, we turn to causation with an emphasis on causal republicanism, causal realism, Humeanism and causal perspectivalism. Finally, in part three, we explore laws of nature with a focus on dispositional essentialism, non-governing conception of laws, and lawlessness.

Shared with undergraduate course Advanced Topics in Philosophy of Science (PHIL10050).

Taught by Dr Michela Massimi

Formative feedback available;
- the opportunity to submit essay on Learn by week 6 deadline (Monday 21st October by 12 noon)
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  10
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Course Start Date 16/09/2013
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 21, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 173 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
No Exam Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will have acquired good knowledge of the contemporary debate surrounding these three core areas in contemporary philosophy of science. They will also have improved their critical skills via essay writing and via informal discussions and oral presentations in the seminars.
Assessment Information
One essay of 2,500 words at the end of semester (worth 100%)

Assignment deadline: Monday 16th December 2013 by 12 noon
Word limit: 2500 words maximum
Return deadline: Tuesday 21st January 2014
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Michela Massimi
Tel: (0131 6)50 3662
Email: Michela.Massimi@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Lynsey Buchanan
Tel: (0131 6)51 5002
Email: Lynsey.Buchanan@ed.ac.uk
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