Course syllabus

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Welcome to PHIL260/360: Philosophy of Science.

Here is a link to the course outline. 

Meeting times:
Lectures (260 + 360): Mondays 1–3pm in Room 301, Building 421W (Architecture)
260 Tutorials: Thursdays 11am–12pm in Room 211, Building 201N (Human Sciences Building)
360 Tutorials: Tuesdays 2–3pm in Room 902, Building 201E (Human Sciences Building)

Course Coordinator and Lecturer: Dr Emily Parke
Email: e.parke@auckland.ac.nz 
Office hours: Wednesdays 3–4pm, Thursdays 11am–12pm, other times by appointment
Office: Room 427, Building 206 (Humanities)

Tutor: Sam Woolley
Email: swoo572@aucklanduni.ac.nz 
Office hours: Tuesdays 1–2pm, Fridays 2–3pm
Office: Room 305, Building 206 (Humanities)

Class Rep:Your SSCC Class Rep is Helen Jarrett. Please contact her if there are any issues about the course which you would like to raise with the SSCC and/or raise anonymously with the course coordinator: hjar340@aucklanduni.ac.nz.

Tuākana Mentor: Nathan Rew (nrew454@aucklanduni.ac.nz). Nate's cohort includes all Māori and Pacific students enrolled in Philosophy courses in stage 1 through to 3. 

Course Description:

The picture we learn in school of “the scientific method” tends to greatly simplify what science is, how it works, and the logic of how we learn from it. The philosophy of science is concerned with developing a deep understanding of all of those points. In this course we will examine questions like the following: What distinguishes science from “pseudoscience?” How does science explain the world? Is the ultimate goal of science to uncover laws of nature? Why should we feel licensed to believe in things we cannot directly observe, like quarks and genes? Do scientific theories give us literally true accounts of how the world is, or are they just useful tools for predicting and making sense of things?

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Course Objectives:

In this course you will:

  • Engage with classic and contemporary debates in philosophy of science
  • Apply philosophical reasoning to conceptual debates in science
  • Hone your critical thinking, reasoning, and writing skills, with a particular focus on writing concisely about complex, sometimes interdisciplinary topics

Overview of Weekly Topics:

Week 1 (16 July): Course Introduction: Science in the 21st Century

Week 2 (23 July): What is Science? What Distinguishes it from Pseudoscience?

Week 3 (30 July): Induction and Confirmation

Week 4 (06 August): Scientific Explanation

Week 5 (13 August): No Class

Week 6 (20 August): Laws of Nature

[MID-SEMESTER BREAK]

Week 7 (10 Sept): Modelling and Computer Simulation

Week 8 (17 Sept): Experimentation

Week 9 (24 Sept): Hypothesis-Testing vs. Exploration

Week 10 (01 Oct): Revolutions, Realism, and Pessimism

Week 11 (08 Oct): Objectivity and Values

Week 12 (15 Oct): Public Understanding and Communication of Science

Course Details, Policies, and Expectations:

  • We will meet weekly for two-hour lectures and one-hour tutorials. 
  • You are expected to do the assigned readings each week before lecture. There is no textbook; all assigned readings will be available electronically through Canvas > Reading Lists. 
  • Assessment is based on the following assignments (there is no exam):
    • 50% Weekly Mini Essays (7 due @ 300 words each)
    • 50% Final Essay(s) (2000 words for PHIL260, 2500 words for PHIL360)
  • Weekly Mini Essays: Each week I will post some questions about the assigned reading on Canvas. Your weekly assignment (beginning in week 2) is to write a mini essay (maximum 300 words) addressing one of the questions. Hard copies (on paper) of mini essays are due in person in Monday lectures. They will not be accepted without attendance in lecture. Further details about these assignments (expectations and assessment) will be explained in the first weeks of class. 
  • Late Policy for Mini Essays: Mini essays will not be accepted without attendance in class (in other words, they cannot be made up if you are late, sick, or otherwise absent). However, your final mark will be based on an average of your seven best mini essay marks, out of ten total assigned. This is to allow for the occasional week off from assignment writing, and/or the occasional missed class, due to illness, enrolment delay, emergencies, etc. Please see the FAQ page for further explanation.
  • Late Policy for Final Essays: Final essays will be marked down 5 points (out of 100) per 24-hour period they are submitted past the deadline. For example, if you submit your final essay on 2 November at 17:30, it will be marked down 10 points. Note that 5 points (out of 100) corresponds to roughly 1/3 of a letter grade on the standard UOA marking scale. Extensions will be granted only by arrangement with the lecturer in advance of the deadline. Technical issues with Canvas will not excuse lateness. In the event of last-minute technical issues, be sure to email me your essay so that I have an electronic record of you submitting it before the deadline.
  • Communication: Emails from students will be answered by the end of the following business day. Neither the lecturer nor the tutor answers emails during evenings, weekends, or holidays. Please keep this in mind and plan accordingly, especially as deadlines approach. If you have not received a reply to your email by the end of the business day after you sent it, this is because you have asked a question which is already answered on the FAQ page (see below)...

Resources:

  • The FAQ page answers common questions you might have about the course, assignments, etc. Please consult this before emailing your lecturer or tutor with a question.
  • Here is the Essay Marking Shorthand System we will use to give you feedback on your writing (you will also get more detailed, individualised comments on your final essays and some of your mini essays). Please refer to this as both a guide to deciphering the symbols/letters on your essays, and a source of general tips for honing your philosophical writing skills.
  • The glossary of Peter Godfrey-Smith's book Theory and Reality is a good resource for understanding key terms, ideas, and views in philosophy of science, which you will encounter in weekly readings. (Note: That link might not work if you are off campus, but his book is available electronically via the university library, so you should be able to access it via the proxy server.)

Further Background on Course Material:

Important Background on Writing Expectations and Tips:

Please take an hour to review all of these resources before you begin your assignments for this course—it will be well worth your time, whether or not you are new to philosophy:

Course summary:

Date Details Due