The scientific study of human beings is never straightforward. People cannot be observed in the same way as natural phenomena, and we often change our behaviour when we know we are being studied. In this course, you will explore questions like these and several other central problems in social science research.
You will learn how different ideas about rationality and objectivity influence research, how views of social structures have shifted over time and what is at stake in debates between individualism and collectivism. Together, these questions form the foundation for how we try to understand society and the role of the individual within it.
Deepening your understanding of philosophy of science for the social sciences
The course offers a broad introduction to major traditions in the philosophy of science, such as rationalism, empiricism, positivism and falsificationism, and shows how these perspectives shape research methods today. You will also work with central concepts like observation, induction and explanation and learn what makes research credible and when it needs to be questioned.
You will explore methodological individualism and collectivism and examine how different understandings of social structures influence analysis in the social sciences. The course may be taught in English, but all materials are designed to support your understanding and engagement with the theories.
Skills you develop during the course
Throughout the course, you learn to describe scientific problems and methods and understand how they affect research in the social sciences. You practise analysing competing perspectives and discussing research methods independently and critically.
You also develop your ability to argue about scientific problems and evaluate possible solutions, giving you a stronger foundation for understanding and engaging in social science research and debate.
Course content
The course provides a historical and ethical introduction to science and explores major methodological traditions. You will study problems related to observation, induction, scientific explanation and method, as well as questions concerning structures, rationality and theoretical positions within the social sciences.
Together, these components give you a broad and deep understanding of what it means to study people and societies scientifically.
Teaching and learning activities
The course is entirely online and uses presentation materials and study questions in a digital learning environment. Students are expected to conduct independent study between sessions, but the structure provides clear support for deepening your understanding and developing your own reflections.