AØKA08003U Philosophy of Science

Volume 2016/2017
Education

BSc programme in Economics - mandatory at 3. year

Content

The course will provide an overview of the major methodological problems in contemporary economics. Almost all subjects touched upon in this course will be further studied at the master level.

The intention is to provide the students with the background to reflect on the methods used and results obtained in the economic science. In practice, almost all economists will come to work with other social scientists so the relation to neighboring branches of science will also be discussed.

The course does not aim at providing practical methods to the students but almost all the subjects have great importance as background for the practical work as an economist.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge:

  • Explain the basic position of the logical positivists, Karl Popper, Lakatos, Friedman and Kuhn as well as the major objections.

  • Know the basic facts about the organization of science.

  • Explain the methodology of the experimental method and give an explanation of rationality.

Skills:

  • Discuss the definition of economics and the problem of demarcation.

  • Present the most important methodological problems of the theoretical and econometric method used in economics.

  • Discuss the important concepts of welfare and ethics.

  • Learn what ‘good economic conduct’ means.

Competencies:

  • Apply the knowledge and skills obtained in this course to understand the methodological issues involved in analyzing real-world behavioral phenomena that lie beyond the scope of this course.

  • Use their newly obtained knowledge and skills to solve decision problems that lie outside the scope of the course.

 

A list of required readings will be given to the students in the beginning of the course

The compulsive courses at the first two years of BSc programme in Economics has been followed.
Schedule:
2 hours of lecturing 1-2 times pr week for 14 weeks.

Timetable and venue:
To see the time and location of lectures please press the link under "Se skema" (See schedule) at the right side of this page (17F means Spring 2017).

You can find the similar information partly in English at
https:/​/​skema.ku.dk/​ku1617/​uk/​module.htm
-Select Department: “2200-Økonomisk Institut” (and wait for respond)
-Select Module:: “2200-F17; [Name of course]”
-Select Report Type: List
-Select Period: “Forår/Spring – Week 4-29”
Press: “ View Timetable”
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 3
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 161
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 3 hours under invigilation
at the computers of the university.The exam assignment is given in English and must be answered in English.
Exam registration requirements

None

Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
100 % external censorship
Exam period

The exam takes place Saturday June 17, 2017 at Peter Bangs Vej 36. 2000 Frederiksberg http:/​/​pc-eksamen.ku.dk/​pc_exam The exact time of the exam will be informed in the Self-Service at KUnet.

For enrolled students more information about examination, exam, rules etc. is available at the student intranet for Examination (English),student intranet for Examination (KA-Danish) and student intranet for Examination (BA-Danish).

Re-exam

The exam takes place August 18, 2017 at Peter Bangs Vej 36. 2000 Frederiksberg http:/​/​pc-eksamen.ku.dk/​pc_exam The exact time of the exam will be informed in the Self-Service at KUnet.

If only a few students have registered for the re-exam, the exam might change to an oral exam including the date, time and place for the exam, which will be informed by the Examination Office.

For enrolled students more information about re-exam, rules etc. is available at the student intranet for Examination (English),student intranet for Examination (KA-Danish) and student intranet for Examination (BA-Danish).

Criteria for exam assesment

Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.

To receive the top grade, the student must be able to demonstrate in an excellent manner that he or she has acquired and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.