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)

No evaluation items have been defined.

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 Has knowledge of social service application areas (health, social welfare services, education, social security, civil society, local government).
2. P02 Has knowledge of social work theories (system, ecology, empowerment theory).
3. P03 Has knowledge of human development and social environment.
4. P04 Use knowledge of communication skills (with individuals, families, groups and different social groups).
5. P05 Use knowledge of management and management processes (management of private and public social service institutions and organizations)
6. P06 Apply knowledge of research methods and techniques in social work.
7. P07 Has the ability to perform planned change process (linking, diagnosis and evaluation, planning, implementation, evaluation, termination and monitoring of applications) by considering similarities and differences for all levels of applicants.
8. P08 Social service application areas (Health, education, social security, civil society, local government), social service theories (system, ecology, empowerment theory), human development and social environment, communication (with individuals, families, groups and different social groups) apply management and management processes (management of private and public social service institutions and organizations), research methods and techniques, professional ethics, principles and values, and the ability to practice social work with different client groups.
9. P09 Has the ability to distinguish and collect appropriate information for social investigation, evaluation and report preparation
10. P10 Has the ability to interpret research results and professional literature.
11. P11 Has the ability to develop inter-institutional relations, communication and joint services.
12. P12 Acts in accordance with professional ethics, norms and standards that determine duties and rights related to social work profession.
13. P13 It adopts social justice and rights based approach within the framework of social, scientific, cultural and professional values.
14. P14 Develop an understanding of individual, family, group, institution, community, community and global practices in order to improve social functionality and facilitate social change
15. P15 Becomes a model to the society with knowledge, skills, values ​​and attitudes and adopts the understanding of lifelong learning.

Po-Lo Matrix