Advanced Topic: Epistemology & Ontology

What it is about

You deepen your understanding of a focus area in epistemology and/or ontology. Using theoretical case studies and central positions, you will learn concepts and debates and will be able to independently address research questions and argue points convincingly.

What you will be able to do

Understand fundamental concepts and theories in epistemology and ontology
Grasp historical and contemporary debates in depth
Critically reflect on existing positions
Work on a specific topic from different theoretical perspectives
Develop your own research questions
Demonstrate advanced analytical and argumentative skills

What the module consists of

LectureDelivery of advanced concepts and central debates
GruppendiskussionenStructuring knowledge and positioning in academic debates
Eigenständige ForschungWorking on a specific area and developing a research question
SchreibarbeitCreation of a research paper to present results

Teaching method

Vorlesungen und fortgeschrittene LektüreProvision of the necessary theoretical knowledge
GruppendiskussionenTraining to structure knowledge and position oneself argumentatively
ForschungsarbeitDeepening in a specific topic and practice of scholarly presentation

What you should already know

Grundkenntnisse im Bereich Science, Technology & Society (STS)recommended

Assessment

Research PaperTerm paper

You write a Research Paper (3000–4000 words). In it you should present fundamental concepts and theories, understand and apply central historical and modern debates, address a concrete research problem, and demonstrate advanced analytical and argumentative skills. No information about duration or tools is specified.

Reading list

Galison, Peter - The Pyramid and the Ring (in: Research Objects in their Technological Setting, 2017)
Latour, Bruno - The Pasteurization of France, Chapter 1 of Part Two, "From Weakness to Potency" (1988)
Putnam, Hilary - Three Kinds of Scientific Realism (The Philosophical Quarterly 1982)
Quine, Willard V. O. - From a Logical Point of View, Chapter I, "On What There Is" (1961)
van Fraassen, Bas C. - The Scientific Image, Chapters 1-2 (1980)

Dates

SeminarSocial Epistemology2 groups to choose from

AThu14:30–16:30
370, Seminarraum (ZG) (2903.03.370)
10× · 22.10.–04.02.
- 22.10.
- 29.10.
- 05.11.
- 12.11.
- 19.11.
- 26.11.
- 03.12.
- 10.12.
- 17.12.
- 04.02.
BThu15:15–17:15270, Seminarraum (ZG) (2903.02.270)once on 15.10.

From the current semester, not binding. You attend one of several groups; the timetable automatically suggests the one with the fewest clashes.

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