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2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

HPSC5510M Advanced Topics in Realism and Representation in Science

30 creditsClass Size: 5

Module manager: Professor Steven French
Email: s.r.d.french@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The scientific realism debate concerns the status of scientific beliefs that are about things that are inaccessible to our naked senses. Are we justified in believing our best theories about the structure of the DNA, the electron, or the big bang? What should we make of the fact that the history of science is littered with successful but false theories? What should we make of the fact that mathematics is indispensable for our best sciece? This module looks at various positions and arguments regarding such key questions in the epistemology of science. We also look at some closely related issues concerning the way in which science represents the world with its theories and models.If the module recruits three or fewer students, it will be delivered via 3 hours of supervision with the module leader (instead of the format specified below).

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to describe and critically evaluate:
(a) different types of evidence for and against various scientific realist positions;
(b) a variety of views concerning the way in which scientific theories represent the world.

Syllabus

A selection of topics from the current scientific realism debate, including some of the following:
i) Evidence for realism: success of science, Galilean strategy, experiments and instruments.
ii) Evidence against realism: underdetermination arguments; pessimistic Induction.
iii) Theories, models and representation: idealization, approximate and 'partial' truth.
iv) Scientific vs. mathematical realism: indispensability argument

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Seminar	3	2.00	6.00
Private study hours			272.00
Total Contact hours			28.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Preparation for lectures: 11 x 8 hours = 88 hours
Preparation for seminars: 3 x 10 hours = 30 hours
Researching for and writing essays: 2 x 77 hours = 154 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Development of students' understanding is monitored through seminar discussions and through essay plans that students are asked to submit prior to submitting assessed essays.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000-4,000 words	50.00
Essay	3,000-4,000 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 05/08/2016

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