Undergraduate Module Descriptor

PHL2026: Philosophy of Science

This module descriptor refers to the 2016/7 academic year.

Module Aims

The course seeks to open up and address key questions concerning knowledge, practice and the world. Students will engage with a range of canonical texts in the philosophy of science and science studies, focussing on the specificity of each and analysing critically points of continuity and contrast between them. The aim is to expand our epistemological and ontological horizons, and to think more deeply about the place of science in modernity.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. demonstrate foundational understanding for the analysis of the nature of science as a body of knowledge and a field of practice;
2. develop a critical stance in relation to science, one of the most powerful and authoritative cultural formations in the contemporary world;
3. demonstrate foundational understanding of current issues and problems surrounding science in our society;
Discipline-Specific Skills4. develop the ability to engage with key philosophical debates on topics including the nature of knowledge, representation, classification, epistemology, practice and ontology;
5. acquire interdisciplinary experience in integrating such thinking with sociological perspectives concerning the social nature of scientific practice and the institutional position of science in its broader social context;
Personal and Key Skills6. develop and deploy arguments logically;
7. focus on and comprehend complex texts;
8. undertake independent research; and
9. demonstrate the ability to work to deadlines.