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.
Philosophy of Social Sciences (PHIL 501)
| Programs\Type | Required | Core Elective | Area Elective |
| Business Analytics - With Thesis | * | ||
| Computer Science and Engineering - With Master's Degree | * | ||
| Cultural Studies - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Cultural Studies - With Thesis | * | ||
| Experimental Psychology - With Bachelor's Degree | * | ||
| Experimental Psychology - With Master's Degree | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Biological Sciences and Bioengineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Industrial Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Materials Science and Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Mechatronics Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Management Ph.D. - Finance Area - With Bachelor's Degree | * | ||
| Management Ph.D. - Management and Organization Area - With Bachelor's Degree | * | ||
| Management Ph.D. - Operations and Supply Chain Management Area - With Bachelor's Degree | * | ||
| Psychology - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Psychology - With Thesis | * | ||
| Social Psychology - With Bachelor's Degree | * | ||
| Social Psychology - With Master's Degree | * |
CONTENT
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
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the different approaches, concepts, and theoretical legacies in the interdisciplinary field of Cultural Studies. 3
2. Identify interconnections of knowledge within and across the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, literature, visual studies, philosophy, and psychology. 4
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 3
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. 3
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. 5
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the different approaches, concepts, and theoretical legacies in the interdisciplinary field of Cultural Studies. 3
2. Identify interconnections of knowledge within and across the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, literature, visual studies, philosophy, and psychology. 4
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 3
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. 3
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. 5
1. Characterize the nature of psychology in science and applied settings. 1
2. Demonstrate psychological literacy and incorporate theoretical, statistical and experimental methods in scientific inquiry 1
3. Deepen comprehensive knowledge of psychology?s core foundation content domains, especially of cognitive, social, developmental psychology, and the biological bases of behavior 2
4. Formulate plausible psychological explanations for behavioral phenomena and develop scientific hypotheses 3
5. Produce innovative and integrative applications to solve problems 3
6. Behave and conduct research in accordance with the ethical standards of the discipline 4
7. Strengthen personal integrity and developing soft skills such asscientific writing and speaking, effective communication, teamwork, flexibility, and leadership 5
8. Exercise values that reflect a commitment to diversity and contribute to society 5
9. Apply psychological knowledge and scientific thinking, writing, and speaking skills in professional settings 1
10. Develop advanced research designs and apply advanced statistical analyses 3
1. Characterize the nature of psychology in science and applied settings. 1
2. Demonstrate psychological literacy and incorporate theoretical, statistical and experimental methods in scientific inquiry 1
3. Deepen comprehensive knowledge of psychology?s core foundation content domains, especially of cognitive, social, developmental psychology, and the biological bases of behavior 2
4. Formulate plausible psychological explanations for behavioral phenomena and develop scientific hypotheses 3
5. Produce innovative and integrative applications to solve problems 3
6. Behave and conduct research in accordance with the ethical standards of the discipline 4
7. Strengthen personal integrity and developing soft skills such asscientific writing and speaking, effective communication, teamwork, flexibility, and leadership 5
8. Exercise values that reflect a commitment to diversity and contribute to society 5
9. Apply psychological knowledge and scientific thinking, writing, and speaking skills in professional settings 1
10. Develop advanced research designs and apply advanced statistical analyses 3
Update Date:
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, ?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. 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. |