THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2020/2021

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Philosophy

Postgraduate Course: Philosophy of Science (Online) (PHIL11133)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course typeOnline Distance Learning AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course aims to introduce you to a number of perennially-interesting and enduringly relevant issues from the philosophy of science. No previous scientific, philosophical or logical expertise is required and any technical / unfamiliar terms will be defined as we go.

Please note auditing is not allowed on this course. Students must only take for credit.
Course description Some of the key questions will include:

* What is the problem of induction, chiefly associated with Hume?
* What is Popper's falsificationism all about?
* What is scientific explanation? 
* What good are scientific models?
* What is scientific measurement? 
* What is Bayes' Theorem and what can it tell us about the confirmation of theories?
* What are scientific realism and scientific anti-realism?  What arguments can be made for or against realist and anti-realist views of science?
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2020/21, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 2
Course Start Date 11/01/2021
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Please contact the School directly for a breakdown of Learning and Teaching Activities
Assessment (Further Info) Please contact the School directly for a breakdown of Assessment Methods
Additional Information (Assessment) Students will be assessed by a 3000 word essay (85%) and successful participation in on-line activities associated with the course (15%). How the participation component will be assessed will be made clear to the students at the start of the course.
Feedback Students have the opportunity to submit a formative essay. The essay cannot be draft of the summative essay but it can be on the same topic.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. grasp fundamental issues in the philosophy of philosophy of science
  2. critically analyse and engage with literature by key philosophers in this field.
  3. understand how empirical and scientific work can support philosophical arguments, and be able to use data derived therefrom in their essays and arguments.
  4. present arguments clearly and concisely both within a classroom context and in a 3000 word essay.
  5. gain transferable skills in research, analysis and argumentation
Reading List
Readings for lectures and online tutorials will be available in LEARN.

Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Students can develop their ability for independent learning through online resources.
Keywordsphilosophy of science,epistemology
Contacts
Course organiserProf Michela Massimi
Tel: (0131 6)50 3662
Email: Michela.Massimi@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Becky Verdon
Tel: (0131 6)50 3860
Email: Rebecca.Verdon@ed.ac.uk
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