Epistemological Foundations and Methods in Social Research

Pre-requisites: No particular requirements to enroll in this course, except the regular requirements according to the statute(student is enrolled in first year doctoral studies)

Course objectives: The philosophy behind this course is for students to further perfect their skills in philosophically and epistemologically approaching a problem through qualitative and quantitative social research techniques, in conjunction with their field specialization.

Course description: As far as the philosophical content/subjects for this course, the following topics will be reviewed: 1. Science as a system/structure(statistical aspects of science, tributes, characteristics of scientific concepts and problems, relationship of science to other fields of study); 2. philosophical problem of the scientific method( concept and tribute, method in philosophy and empirical sciences, interdependence of conceptual, methodological and theoretical levels of science); 3. problem of non-singular aspect of interpreting methodological norms; 4. normative and descriptive assessments in science (theory of scientific truth, ethical problems in scientific research, responsibility of scientists); 5. science as social activity (dynamic aspects, cognitive and noncognitive goals, fluctuation of scientific goals), 6. evolution of norms, perfecting methods into techniques (convergence and divergence of standards in evaluations); 7. development of scientific productions (scientific systems, continuity in development); etc.

Learning Outcomes: Students should show that they have mastered philosophical-methodological content to the extent that they are able to detect and apply certain philosophical ideas and knowledge in the making of their doctoral thesis. It is desirable for every student to be consulting with a mentor and this professor.

Epistemological Foundations and Methods in Social Research

Pre-requisites: No particular requirements to enroll in this course, except the regular requirements according to the statute(student is enrolled in first year doctoral studies)

Course objectives: The philosophy behind this course is for students to further perfect their skills in philosophically and epistemologically approaching a problem through qualitative and quantitative social research techniques, in conjunction with their field specialization.

Course description: As far as the philosophical content/subjects for this course, the following topics will be reviewed: 1. Science as a system/structure(statistical aspects of science, tributes, characteristics of scientific concepts and problems, relationship of science to other fields of study); 2. philosophical problem of the scientific method( concept and tribute, method in philosophy and empirical sciences, interdependence of conceptual, methodological and theoretical levels of science); 3. problem of non-singular aspect of interpreting methodological norms; 4. normative and descriptive assessments in science (theory of scientific truth, ethical problems in scientific research, responsibility of scientists); 5. science as social activity (dynamic aspects, cognitive and noncognitive goals, fluctuation of scientific goals), 6. evolution of norms, perfecting methods into techniques (convergence and divergence of standards in evaluations); 7. development of scientific productions (scientific systems, continuity in development); etc.

Learning Outcomes: Students should show that they have mastered philosophical-methodological content to the extent that they are able to detect and apply certain philosophical ideas and knowledge in the making of their doctoral thesis. It is desirable for every student to be consulting with a mentor and this professor.