Philosophy of Science in Policymaking, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in Ethics, Science, and Policy

Entry requirements

• Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the students should on an advanced level be able to:

• critically examine how different interpretations of theories, models, and data in science can influence policymaking
• explain philosophical questions concerning knowledge production in scientific work
• explain the differences between various types of inferences used in scientific reasoning
• reflect on the philosophical dimensions of how statistics and probability theory are used in scientific reasoning

Course content

The course covers the philosophy of science, including issues related to probability theory and statistics. The course addresses questions concerning how scientific knowledge relates to theories and models. For example, it discusses questions about a realistic understanding of scientific theories and models in relation to understanding them merely as empirically adequate tools. Furthermore, it addresses how scientific findings can be interpreted, understood, and used in policymaking.

Teaching and working methods

The course includes lectures, seminars and writing assignments. Students are also expected to engage in self-study.

Language of instruction and examination: English.

Examination

The course is examined through:

• Active participation in seminars, grading scale: UG
• Individual written assignment, grading scale: EC

To get Pass (E) as the final grade, at least an E on the individual written assignment and a pass on other parts are required. Higher grades are based on the individual written assignment.

Detailed information can be found in the study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is “Swedish”, the course as a whole could be given in Swedish, or partly, or as a whole, in English. Examination language is Swedish, but parts of the examination can be in English.
• If teaching language is “English”, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.
• If teaching language is “Swedish/English”, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English depending on teaching language.

Department