Learning outcome

Learning outcome

Knowledge

Upon completion of the course, the students will have acquired knowledge and understanding of central concepts, theories, and ethical concerns pertaining to science and research (with an emphasis on the humanities and social sciences) and to creative aesthetic practices.

Qualifications

The course will help the students develop the ability to critically apply their knowledge and understanding of relevant theoretical and ethical issues to their formulation and design of scholarly, scientific and creative projects.

General competence

Having completed the course, the students should possess the theoretical tools that will enable them to judge the scientific or creative merit of their own and others’ work and projects, and to communicate such judgment to colleagues and to the community at large. They will possess an attitude of openness and a capacity for critical thinking and reflection, essential to the scientific enterprise and aesthetic practices.

Course Description

Course content

The course has three parts: (1) theory of science, with an emphasis on theories of the social sciences and the humanities; (2) theories of creative aesthetic practices; (3) ethical theories and concerns applied to science and creative aesthetic practices. In addition to discussing traditional problems within theories and ethics of science and research, the course deals with theoretical and ethical questions that arise with knowledge generated through experience, action and creative practices.

The overall goal of the course is that the students gain an understanding of theories concerning conditions of scientific knowledge, conditions of the generation, organization and institutionalization of science, and conditions of creative aesthetic practices. The course promotes critical reflection on established traditions of science, research and creative practice, including the tradition within which they do their own work, together with critical awareness of ethical concerns pertaining to scientific and creative practices. The PhD program of Cultural Studies at Telemark University College is interdisciplinary. Accordingly, one aim of the course is to help the students develop the ability and tools to engage in scientific communication across the traditional boundaries between scientific disciplines and areas of research and creative practices.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Teaching and learning methods

• Lectures: appr. 30 hours.
• Essay seminar: duration depends on the number of students – each student will give a presentation (20 minutes) of his/her course essay or essay proposal (see below) as a work in progress.

Assessment Methods

Work requirements and assessment methods

• A brief description (max. two – 2 – pages) of own PhD project (or of current scientific or aesthetic work in the case of those who are not enrolled in a PhD program), to be submitted prior to the course – deadline will be announced.
• Course essay: appr. 4 500 words: topic should relate to the student’s own scientific research or creative work – the essay should use material from the course – the student selects one of the course instructors as advisor to his/her work with the essay – choice of topic/essay proposal must be approved by advisor. The essay may be written in English, Norwegian, Danish or Swedish.

Grade for the course is based on essay grade, pass or fail. The minimal requirement for pass is work that would receive at least the grade B (very good) on a scale from A (excellent) to F (fail).

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean