Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to support your research process and to develop your analytical skills in research-related reading, writing, and thinking. The course offers an opportunity to use basic philosophical tools in identifying the main normative and conceptual features of different research approaches. 

The course enhances students’ ability to participate in philosophical discussion and argumentation. It develops participants’ ability to identify philosophical problems related to one’s own research, recognising ways in which they are reflected in research questions and theoretical approaches. It offers enhanced ability to argue for one's own theoretical choices, and to formulate research questions.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 26.02.2025 - 28.05.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Johanna Moisander

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  The themes touched upon during the course include the ethical and rhetorical dimensions of the social sciences; the normative underpinnings of social research, business studies, and moral and political philosophy; the main features of universalist and positional approaches to research; and views of reality as a natural phenomenon and as a social construction. 

  The course deals with theory, observation and phenomena: how observations can be reliably used to back up theories even when observations are theory-laden. Kinds and classification: both "natural kinds" found in the world and classifications created for specific purposes are needed in research. Values in science and objectivity: non-epistemic values cannot be banished from science, but objectivity can be salvaged. Explanation and understanding: contrast and links between the two; Interdisciplinarity: collaboration across disciplinary boundaries and the collective nature of scientific knowledge production.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  1. Active participation in class meetings.  
  2. Independent learning assignments. 
  3. In-class presentations.

Workload

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Class meetings, independent learning assignments and in-class presentation(s).

DETAILS

Study Material

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Package of readings specified at the beginning of the course.

Substitutes for Courses

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Substitutes for Courses

Prerequisites

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Teaching Language: English

  Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring IV
  2025-2026 Spring IV

  Registration:

  1^st  priority: Students in doctoral programme of School of Business and School of Arts, Design and Architecture

  2^nd priority: Aalto University doctoral students

Description