Philosophy of Social Sciences (PHIL 501)

2021 Spring
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Philosophy(PHIL)
3
10
Gürol Irzık irzik@sabanciuniv.edu,
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English
Doctoral, Master
--
Interactive lecture,One-to-one tutorial
Interactive,Communicative,Discussion based learning,Project based learning
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CONTENT

This course is an introduction to the main issues and approaches in the philosophy of social sciences, with a focus on questions of methodology. These include whether social sciences employ a methodology different from that of the natural sciences; whether explanations in terms of reasons differ in any way from those in terms of causes; the nature of social reality; the relationship between individuals and social structures; the debate between methodological individualism and methodological holism; whether social sciences are value- free or not and the problem of objectivity. General approaches to be discussed are positivism, realism, the hermeneutical-interpretive and critical schools. These approaches and issues will be exemplified in the context of various social scientific disciplines.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Compare and critically evaluate different approaches to the study of social phenomena
  • Engage in sympathetic interpretation, evaluation and criticism of relevant texts in relation to the philosophical issues that arise in the social sciences
  • Think and reason philosophically to construct arguments for or against a position in the philosophy of social sciences
  • Research and critically evaluate information

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES


1. Develop and deepen the current and advanced knowledge in the field with original thought and/or research and come up with innovative definitions based on Master's degree qualifications 3

2. Conceive the interdisciplinary interaction which the field is related with ; come up with original solutions by using knowledge requiring proficiency on analysis, synthesis and assessment of new and complex ideas. 5

3. Evaluate and use new information within the field in a systematic approach. 5

4. Develop an innovative knowledge, method, design and/or practice or adapt an already known knowledge, method, design and/or practice to another field; research, conceive, design, adapt and implement an original subject. 4

5. Critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of new and complex ideas. 5

6. Gain advanced level skills in the use of research methods in the field of study. 5

7. Contribute the progression in the field by producing an innovative idea, skill, design and/or practice or by adapting an already known idea, skill, design, and/or practice to a different field independently. 4

8. Broaden the borders of the knowledge in the field by producing or interpreting an original work or publishing at least one scientific paper in the field in national and/or international refereed journals. 4

9. Demonstrate leadership in contexts requiring innovative and interdisciplinary problem solving. 4

10. Develop new ideas and methods in the field by using high level mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making. 4

11. Investigate and improve social connections and their conducting norms and manage the actions to change them when necessary. 1

12. Defend original views when exchanging ideas in the field with professionals and communicate effectively by showing competence in the field. 1

13. Ability to communicate and discuss orally, in written and visually with peers by using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio C1 General Level. 3

14. Contribute to the transition of the community to an information society and its sustainability process by introducing scientific, technological, social or cultural improvements. 4

15. Demonstrate functional interaction by using strategic decision making processes in solving problems encountered in the field. 3

16. Contribute to the solution finding process regarding social, scientific, cultural and ethical problems in the field and support the development of these values. 5


1. Develop the ability to use critical, analytical, and reflective thinking and reasoning 5

2. Reflect on social and ethical responsibilities in his/her professional life. 4

3. Gain experience and confidence in the dissemination of project/research outputs 4

4. Work responsibly and creatively as an individual or as a member or leader of a team and in multidisciplinary environments. 5

5. Communicate effectively by oral, written, graphical and technological means and have competency in English. 5

6. Independently reach and acquire information, and develop appreciation of the need for continuously learning and updating. 5


1. Develop, interpret and use statistical analyses in decision making.


1. Develop a thorough knowledge of theories, concepts, and research methods in the field and apply them in research design and data analysis.

2. Assess the impact of the economic, social, and political environment from a global, national and regional level.

3. Know how to access written and visual, primary and secondary sources of information, interpret concepts and data from a variety of sources in developing disciplinary and interdisciplinary analyses.


1. Demonstrate an understanding of the different approaches, concepts, and theoretical legacies in the interdisciplinary field of Cultural Studies.

2. Identify interconnections of knowledge within and across the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, literature, visual studies, philosophy, and psychology.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the multiple methodologies used in cultural analysis; in particular, ethnographic fieldwork, participant-observation, interviewing, oral history, focus group discussions, textual criticism, and visual analysis

4. Cultivate a critical approach to the study of culture, articulating the relations between culture, power, and history; exploring cultural diversity and socio-cultural change at the local, national and global level; and exploring the corresponding demands for rights and social justice.

5. Be able to conduct original research and develop sound analysis of phenomena in the realm of cultural production, consumption, and representation; develop and present advanced oral and written evaluations of one's research and arguments.


1. Demonstrate an understanding of the different approaches, concepts, and theoretical legacies in the interdisciplinary field of Cultural Studies.

2. Identify interconnections of knowledge within and across the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, literature, visual studies, philosophy, and psychology.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the multiple methodologies used in cultural analysis; in particular, ethnographic fieldwork, participant-observation, interviewing, oral history, focus group discussions, textual criticism, and visual analysis

4. Cultivate a critical approach to the study of culture, articulating the relations between culture, power, and history; exploring cultural diversity and socio-cultural change at the local, national and global level; and exploring the corresponding demands for rights and social justice.

5. Be able to conduct original research and develop sound analysis of phenomena in the realm of cultural production, consumption, and representation; develop and present advanced oral and written evaluations of one's research and arguments.

ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA

  Percentage (%)
Final 25
Midterm 25
Assignment 15
Term-Paper 25
Participation 10

RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS

Readings

C. Hempel, Philosophy of Natural Science (Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1966), pp. 1-32.

E. Durkheim, ?Social Facts?. (In M. Martin and L. C. McIntyre, eds. Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1994), pp. 433-440.

E. Durkheim, The Rules of Sociological Method (The Free Press, 1964), pp. 89-146. Pay attention to pages 95-97, 102-106, 110-111, 125, 130, 131, 144-146.

A. Rosenberg, ?Holism and Reductionism in Sociology and Psychology?. In Philosophy of Social Science, Boulder: Westview Press, 2012), 39-42 and pp. 169-190).

F. Chernoff, ?The Impact of Duhemian Principles on Social Science Testing and Progress?. (In H. Kincaid, ed. The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Social Science, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012), pp. 229-258.

G. Goertz, ?Descriptiptive-Causal Generalizations: 'Empirical Laws' in the Social Sciences?? (In H. Kinkaid, ed. The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Social Science, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012), pp. 85-108.

M. Martin, ?Philosophical Importance of the Rosenthal Effect?, (In M. Martin and L. C. McIntyre, eds. Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1994), pp. 585-596.

P. Winch, ?Understanding a Primitive Society?, (In F. Dallmayr and T. McCarthy, eds. Understanding and Social Inquiry, Notre Dame: Notre Dame University Press, 1977), pp.159-188.

C. Geertz, ?Thick Description: Toward and Interpretive Theory of Culture?, (In The Interpretation of Cultures, New York: Basic Books, 1973), pp. 3-30.

C. Geertz, ?Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight?, (In The Interpretation of Cultures, New York: Basic Books, 1973), pp. 412-453.

D. Follesdal, ?Hermeneutics and the Hypothetico-Deductive Method?, (In M. Martin and L. C. McIntyre, eds. Readings in the Philosophy of Social Science, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1994), pp. 233-246.

A. Rosenberg, ?Problems of Rational Choice Theory?, In Philosophy of Social Science, Boulder: Westview Press, 2012), pp. 89-116).

K. Polanyi, The Great Transformation, (Boston: Beacon Press, 2001), pp. 45-80.

K. Marx, ?Preface to A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy?, 1859.

R. Keat and J. Urry, ?Chapter 5: Marx and Realism?, in Social Theory as Science, 2nd ed. Routledge and Keagan Paul, 1982, pp. 96-118, 240-243 and 254-271.

D. M. McLellan, Ideology, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1986, pp. 10-20.

K. Popper, ?Preface? to The Poverty of Historicism, New York: Harper Torchbooks, 1957, pp. vi-viii.

K. Popper, ?Historicism?, in Popper Selections, (ed. D. Miller), Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1985, pp. 289-303.

J. Habermas ?Appendix? to Knowledge and Human Interests, Heinemann, 1972, pp. 301-317 and 348-349.

I. Hacking, ?What is Social Construction? Teenage Pregnancy Example?, (In G. Delanty and P. Strydom, Philosophies of Social Science, Maidenhead: Open University Press, 2003), pp. 421-428.