Science and Society

6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1020844CEW for working students in the 1st semester of odd academic years (e.g. 2013-2014) at a (C) Bachelor - specialised level.

Semester

biennial: 1st semester of an odd academic year (e.g. 2013-2014)

Enrollment based on exam contract

Possible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Enrollment Requirements

Enrolment for this course is only possible for working students. Regular students can only register for courses of which the code ends with an R. Contact your learning path counsellor for more information: student.vub.be/en/learning-path-counsellors.

Taught in

Dutch

Faculty

Faculty of Languages & Humanities

Department

Philosophy - Moral Sciences

Educational team

Karen François (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

26 contact hours Lecture
130 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

Analyses will be presented based on history of science and philosophical writers that will make it possible to map possible views of the relationship between science and society, starting from the “traditional” internalist ideas to the more sociological oriented approach. Case studies will be used as concrete material to give substance to the theoretical reflections. Special attention will be paid to current topics that characterize the relationship between science and society. Guest lectures may also be a part of this.

Course material

Digital course material (Required) : Ruime selectie van artikels, beschikbaar gesteld via het leerplatform PC door de docent, Canvas

Additional info

The study material comprises a wide selection of several articles in Dutch and English, whether or not written oneself and will be made available by the lecturer on the virtual learning environment PC.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

The students can make links between (the) science(s) and society and illustrate these on the basis of concrete practices.
Students can give a presentation in which the mutual influence of (facets of) science and social life can be discussed.
Students give a critical analysis of the relationship between scientific progress and social progress. Students can illustrate connections between science and society based on case studies.
The students give a presentation or a paper on a case study and will then be able to research this in more depth independently.
The students can prepare a presentation cooperatively. The students can research questions for more in-depth research independently.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Oral examination with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Note: Based on the texts and in particular using one of these the student prepares a (moderate) working document. This critical reflection on the material treated material covered will form the starting point for further discussion.

Additional info regarding evaluation

50% of the assessment is based on a presentation of one of the topics studied (at the end of the series of lectures) and 50% based on the oral defense of the feedback on this presentation (at the formal examination session).
In relation to the presentation. The students choose one of the topics covered in the lectures and work on a 15 minute presentation on this topic in a group (min. 3 students), with another 15 minutes opportunity to asked questions and get feedback. The primary text is integrated as a minimum for the presentation. An additional source is recommended. The presentations are generally arranged in the last few classes. Active participation in the debate and a peer assessment during these presentation seminars is obligatory.
In relation to the oral examination. Based on the presentation all students receive an email with feedback from the lecturer(s) including a questions for further study. An answer with argumentation may then be prepared at home and explained at the oral examination.
For working students the opportunity is provided, if feasible, to join the day student examination system, incl. the obligation at least to participate in the lecture in which their own presentation is made. If this cannot be organized practically, a replacement paper will be requested. Feedback from the lecturer will here also allow for preparation for the examination.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context