after this course student
- can recognize and explain the content and meaning of key concepts and insights from the modern sciences
- can make an analysis of the reasoning and epistemic structure of scientific papers, in particular with respect to empirical evidence
- can point out and discuss similarities and differences regarding research methods in the modern sciences.
- can discuss the historical and scientific context and significance of key concepts and insights from the modern
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In this course we study classical papers from the natural and social sciences that are exemplary for the research methods across the sciences. The papers are classic in the sense that they introduced key concepts and theories. The course is integrative. It aims at comparing practices of empirical evidence across the sciences, looking for similarities and differences between as well as within the natural and social sciences. The course is reflective but stays close to the scientific content. It raises philosophical questions – and a bit of history too – but you will get to know foundational papers of scientific research.
Starting point is a close reading of original publications from various scientific disciplines. We analyze and discuss its content and meaning: what new science it contains, how this was developed, presented, and substantiated. In this way we get a feeling for the key elements of modern science and how science works. We will focus on aspects of empirical evidence: how phenomena are modelled, data is collected and analyzed, and how theoretical conclusions are drawn.
The core of the course consists of a group assignment in which you analyze and present a classical paper of your choice. There will be a list to choose from so that you can fit it a bit with your own interests. Of course, a group can also propose their own classic. You make an epistemic analysis of the classic and prepare a 20 minute presentation where you give a lecture on the contents of the classic. (So not a presentation of your analysis, but a step further as a real teacher!)
External students who are interested in this elective: please contact electives-uct@utwente.nl
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