VITHF900: Theory of science and ethics
VITHF900 engages PhD candidates in research ethics and in key areas of theory of science with an emphasis on the humanities and the relationship between research and society.

Main content
PhD course: VITHF900 Theory of Science and Ethics with Supervised Paper
VITHF900 (10 ECTS) engages PhD candidates in research ethics, and in key areas of theory of science with an emphasis on the humanities, and the relationship between research and society. In addition to lectures, and discussions of these topics in a seminar setting, the course gives candidates the possibility to develop a longer paper in theory of science and/or ethics that bear directly on their field of research or PhD project. The candidates write their papers in a supervised and deliberative process with representatives from the SVT and a small group of co-students.
The course is only open for PhD candidates at the Faculty of Humanities and the Grieg Academy - Department of Music at the University of Bergen UiB.
The course is held by the Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities (SVT) in the spring semester. The five-day seminar is usually held in January.
The course is held in English.
Content
- Five-day seminar with lectures and discussions on theory of science and ethics.
- Paper (4000-6000 words) discussing ethical and/or methodological or scientific problems with relevance for the candidate’s own field of research or PhD-project.
- Supervision of paper, individually and in discussion groups.
- Presentation of the paper with comments from a committee with representatives from the SVT and from their own department.
Note that VITHF900 overlaps with Theory of Science and Ethics VITHF905 (5 ECTS) and covers thus the mandatory part of the research training for PhD candidates at the Faculty of Humanities and the Grieg Academy - Institute of Music. VITHF900 consists of the same four-day seminar as VITHF905, but it requires a longer paper, participation in supervision and a discussion group, as well as a presentation of the paper.
Course description
Kategori | Ìý°Õ±ð°ì²õ³ÙÌý |
Emnekode | VITHF900 |
Namn på emnet, nynorsk | Vitskapsteori og etikk med rettleia paper |
Namn på emnet, bokmål | Vitenskapsteori og etikk med veiledet paper |
Namn på emnet, engelsk | Theory of Science and Ethics with Supervised Paper |
Studiepoeng, omfang Ìý ECTS Credits | 10 ECTS |
StudienivÃ¥ (studiesyklus) Ìý Level of Study | Ph.D. |
Fulltid/deltid Ìý Full-time/Part-time | Ìý |
±«²Ô»å±ð°ù±¹¾±²õ²Ô¾±²Ô²µ²õ²õ±è°ùÃ¥°ì | English |
Undervisningssemester Ìý Semester of Instruction | Spring |
Undervisningsstad Ìý Place of Instruction Ìý | The Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities (SVT). Two of the fourÌýseminar days are normally held outside of Bergen. |
MÃ¥l og innhald Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Objectives and Content | The aim of the course is 1) to engage Ph.D. candidates in key areas of theory of science with an emphasis on the philosophy of humanities and research ethics, as well the relationship between research and society, and 2) to offer candidates an arena for critical reflection upon their own field of research and their Ph.D. projects, and 3) to develop this into a paper in a process with feedback from co-students and supervisors. Ìý |
³¢Ã¦°ù¾±²Ô²µ²õ³Ü³Ù²ú²â³Ù³Ù±ð Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Learning Outcomes | Upon completing the course and the presentation and discussion of the paper, the Ph.D. candidate is expected to have demonstrated: Knowledge of general problems of theory of science and ethics, and an ability to identify and discuss such problems as applying to the candidate’sÌý field of research and to presuppositions for his or her Ph.D. project. Ìý Ìý |
Krav til forkunnskapar | Masters degree, or equivalent. Ìý |
TilrÃ¥dde forkunnskaparÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Ìý | Ìý |
Studiepoengsreduksjon | Ìý |
Krav til studierett Ìý | Ph.D.-candidates enrolled in the Ph.D. program at the Faculty of Humanities and at the Grieg Academy - Department of Music at the University of Bergen UiB. |
Arbeids- og undervisningsformer Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Teaching and Learning Methods | Ìý Lectures, plenary discussions, group discussions, supervision in groups and/or individually, commenting on co-students’ drafts, public presentation of paper. Ìý Ìý |
Obligatorisk undervisningsaktivitet Ìý Compulsory Assignments and Attendance | 1. Prepare for (read text compendium) and take part in the four-day seminar in the theory of science and ethics at the Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities (SVT). The course takes place annually in January and February. Attendance at seminar: min. 80%. Ìý 2. Take part in supervision of the paper in groups and/or individually. Ìý 3. Comment on two co-students’ paper drafts Ìý 4. Present the paper. The presentation takes place in the form of a public lecture (30 min.) followed by a discussion with committee members and peers (45 min.). The paper must be recommended by an assessment committee before it can be presented. Ìý Ìý |
Vurderingsformer Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Forms of Assessment | Ìý A paper (4000-6000 words) on a self-chosen topic on a problem in theory of science and/or ethics with relevance for the candidate’s field of research or own project. The paper must be recommended for submission before it can be submitted. Ìý Main emphasis of assessment will be the paper, the presentation of the paper, and discussion of the paper after the presentation. Ìý Final assessment is given by the committee after the presentation and discussion. Ìý The members of the assessment committee are proposed jointly by the Ph.D. candidate’s home department and the SVT. The committee shall normally consist of the supervisor of the Ph.D. project, a representative of the faculty at the candidate’s department/academic field, and a representative from the SVT. The committee is appointed by the SVT. Ìý Deadline for submitting paper is early spring 2022. Presentation of the paper will take place before the end of spring term. Ìý The Department shall make copies of the recommended manuscript available to the public within one week before the presentation. Ìý Ìý |
Hjelpemiddel til eksamen Ìý Examination Support Material | Ìý |
Karakterskala Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Grading Scale | Approved/not approved |
Vurderingssemester Ìý Ìý Assessment Semester | Spring |
Litteraturliste Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Reading List | ÌýWill be made available before December 1st. Ìý |
Emneevaluering Ìý Course Evaluation Ìý | Participating candidates will evaluate the course at the end of the semester. |
Programansvarleg Ìý Course Coordinator Ìý | Programstyret har ansvar for fagleg innhald og oppbygging av studiet og for kvaliteten pÃ¥ studieprogrammet og alle emna der. |
Emneansvarleg | Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities (SVT) |
Administrativt ansvarleg Ìý Course Administrator Ìý | Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities (SVT) Ìý |
Kontaktinformasjon Ìý Contact Information |