Academic Year/course:
2023/24
25506 - Epistemology of Human Sciences
Syllabus Information
Academic year:
2023/24
Subject:
25506 - Epistemology of Human Sciences
Faculty / School:
103 - Facultad de Filosofía y Letras
Degree:
269 - Degree in Philosophy
587 - Degree in Philosophy
ECTS:
6.0
Year:
1
Semester:
First semester
Subject type:
Basic Education
Module:
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1. General information
Although the subject falls within the area of general philosophy, the focus acquired in it is mainly on conceptual analysis . Some notions of philosophy of language and theory of knowledge that will be seen in greater detail in later years are presented here in a still brief and introductory way and with the clear intention of studying their role in an analysis of the human sciences. Therefore, the subject introduces the specific problems of the human and social sciences , but it is also a first contact with some basics of epistemology. The main objective is, in any case, to grasp the epistemological and methodological specificity of disciplines outside the natural sciences (which will be dealt with later in the subject of "Philosophy of science"), ranging from history to economics and from psychology to anthropology . This helps to improve the critical and analytical skills of texts both within and outside the properly philosophical traditions.
These approaches and objectives are aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations Agenda 2030 (https://www.un.org/sustainable development/es/), in such a way that the acquisition of the learning results of the subject provides training and competence to contribute to some extent to their achievement: Goal 4:Quality Education; Goal 5: Gender Equality; Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities; Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption; Goal 13: Climate Action: Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
2. Learning results
Know the fundamentals of epistemological analysis of human and social sciences.
Be familiar with the currents and problems presented in the syllabus of this subject.
Be able to comment texts in a clear, orderly, solid and coherent way, using the knowledge obtained through the study of the subject.
Know the differences between the naturalistic and hermeneutic currents in philosophy of social sciences, as well as the basic notions of intentional action, differences between reasons for and causes of action.
Be able to explain basic doctrinal elements, such as the behaviourist critique of the intuitive perspective in psychology or the functionalist perspective in social sciences, among others. It is important that students can explain these and other notions and perspectives in a clear, detailed and specific manner.
3. Syllabus
1. Introduction: man as an object of knowledge
2. Human nature: naturalism and positivism
3. The critique of positivism: hermeneutics and Critical Theory
4. Beyond human sciences: from the death of man to posthumanism
4. Academic activities
1- Theoretical classes. Methodology: Explanatory.
2- Complementary activities. Methodology: Conferences, courses, film screenings and other activities of artistic and cultural interest
5. Assessment system
First call
- Global assessment test to be taken on the date established in the academic calendar (100%). The assessment consists of two dimensions:
FINAL EXAM (70%): Final exam of the subject where the contents taught in class and the dossier of readings of the subject will be evaluated.
READING BOOKS (30%): An assessment test will be carried out on the reading work done autonomously by the students.
Criteria: In the evaluation tests, the knowledge and understanding of the subject, the concreteness in the answers , as well as the expository clarity will be valued (in the case of the written test, the writing and correct spelling will be valued). Second call Global evaluation test identical to the previous one.