SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND CRITICAL THINKING

Course Description

This course is an introductory course in philosophy of science, with a special emphasis on the scientific method. The course covers basic topics in philosophy of science such as scientific method, scientific explanation, causality, reduction and reductionism, natural laws, demarcation between science and pseudoscience, the relation between evidence and hypothesis, and scientific progress. The works of some important thinkers such as Carl Hempel, Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn and Imre Lakatos are introduced. The course is also aimed at providing the students the necessary critical thinking skills. For this aim, some basic rules of formal logic, the distinction between deductive and inductive arguments, common cognitive biases and logical fallacies are also discussed.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND CRITICAL THINKING

Evaluation Tools (Active Term)

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Course outcomes

1. 01 Define induction, confirmation, deduction, validity, soundness
2. 02 Classify logical fallacies into types such as slippery slope, ad hominem, etc.
3. 03 Describe the relation between science and philosophy
4. 04 Compare the views of major philosophers of science.
5. 05 List the philosophical problems associated with causation, realism, explanation and reduction.
6. 06 Distinguish science from pseudoscience.

Course Syllabus

Reference Books & Course Materials

1. 01 Godfrey-Smith, P. (2003) Theory and Reality. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
2. 02 Rosenberg, R. (2005) Philosophy of Science: A Contemporary Introduction. Routledge.
3. 03 Solomon, R. C. & Higgins, M. C. (2010). The Big Questions. Wadsworth.

Learning Outcomes

1. L01 Define induction, confirmation, deduction, validity, soundness
2. L02 Classify logical fallacies into types such as slippery slope, ad hominem, etc.
3. L03 Describe the relation between science and philosophy
4. L04 Compare the views of major philosophers of science.
5. L05 List the philosophical problems associated with causation, realism, explanation and reduction.
6. L06 Distinguish science from pseudoscience.
7. L07 Define induction, confirmation, deduction, validity, soundness. SOLO 3
8. L08 Classify logical fallacies into types such as slippery slope, ad hominem, etc. SOLO 3
9. L09 Describe the relation between science and philosophy. SOLO 3
10. L10 Compare the views of major philosophers of science. SOLO 4
11. L11 List the philosophical problems associated with causation, realism, explanation and reduction. SOLO 3
12. L12 Distinguish science from pseudoscience. SOLO 4

Program Outcomes

1. P01 1. Having the ability to understand and discuss international relations discipline by using an interdisciplinary methodology to merge the knowledge coming from sociology, economics, psychology, political sciences well as diplomatic history.
2. P02 2. Having an adequate knowledge of the history and the epochs of international system and being able to identify historical evolution of the contemporary world politics.
3. P03 3. Recognizing local, regional and international actors functioning within the international system.
4. P04 4. Understanding the legal framework of the current international system
5. P05 5. Ability to identify the relations between the key actors of the international system – the states – from a theoretical as well as multi-dimensional scientific and academic methods.
6. P06 6. Ability to analyse the roles and positions of the non-state actors – international organizations in particular – within the current world system.
7. P07 7. Ability to recognize political, socio-economic and cultural structures embedded in international relations.
8. P08 8. Exploring the roots of conflicts among the actors and produce solutions at local, regional and international levels with an analytical focus.
9. P09 9. Being able to understand the politics and the functioning of political institutions in theory and practice.
10. P10 10. Understanding the historical emergence of various political cultures and gaining ability to assess them comparatively.
11. P11 11. Prepare international relations graduates; having a vast knowledge, academic formation and skills to work in public offices, civil society organizations, international institutions and companies at local and global levels.
12. P12 12. To have moral and ethical understanding in the field of work.

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