Level/category

General studies

Teaching language

English

Type of course

Compulsory

Recommended year of study

2

Total number of ECTS

5 cr

Competency aims

The aim of the course is to introduce different forms of knowledge and scientific thinking and so the students critically can read and evaluate research articles in their own field of competence.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is expected to be able to...
- understand the meaning of science and scientific knowledge, and the concept of truth
- know the development and differences in natural- and human sciences and milestones in the history of science
- know basic scientific concepts
- understand the scientific process of developing knowledge and the two traditions for it; qualitative and quantitative approach

Course contents

The nature of knowledge and scientific knowledge
The concept of knowledge in natural sciences and humanities.
A brief history of science
Scientific concepts and tools for producing knowledge
Truth, validity and reliability.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

None

Additional information

Absence from lectures needs to be compensated
Between them the students are supposed to work with assignments, in groups of about 3 student/ group.
The assignments will end up in a written report that is handed in to the examiner 3.4.09

Recommended or required reading

Morton, Adam. 2003. A Guide Through the Theory of Knowledge [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback). Blackwell Publishing, London

Study activities

  • Lectures - 20 hours
  • Exercise based learning - 0 hours
  • Tuition managed by students but supervised by the teacher - 20 hours
  • Project work and productions - 40 hours
  • Individual studies - 50 hours

Workload

  • Total workload of the course: 130 hours
  • Of which autonomous studies: 90 hours
  • Of which scheduled studies: 40 hours

Mode of Delivery

Participation in tuition

Assessment methods

Reports and productions

Teacher

Lejonqvist Gun-Britt

Examiner

Lejonqvist Gun-Britt

Group size

No limit

Assignments valid until

12 months after course has ended

The timetable of the course

03.02.2009 Knowledge theory, ontoloy and epistemology
10.02.2009 Knowledge, truth and belief
16.02.2009 Different forms of knowledge
18.02.2009 To explain and to understand
24.02.2009 Critical thinking and rationalism
25.02.2009 Knowledge and science
04.03.2009 Ways gaining knowledge
11.03.2009 The concept of theory
18.03.2009 Synthesis, validity and reliability

Assessment methods

2008-04-03 - Reports and productions

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