Philosophy of Science
SISP 202
Fall 2006
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
PHIL 287 |
| Certificates: Environmental Studies, Informatics and Modeling |
This course is a fast-moving introduction to the philosophy of science. Topics include the relation between finished theories or explanations and ongoing research, the recognition and dissemination of discoveries, the justification of scientific claims, conceptual and technical (revolutionary) change in the science, the significance of instrumentation, experiment and artifice in science, the places of laws, models, and causal relations in scientific understanding, and whether various sciences differ fundamentally in their aims, methods, and achievements. Considerable attention will be given to examples of scientific practice, both historical and contemporary. |
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Essential Capabilities:
None |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA SISP |
| Course Format: Lecture/Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (CSCT)(EDST)(ENVS-MN)(ENVS)(INFO-MN)(PHIL)(PHIL-Philosophy)(PHIL-Social Jus)(PSYC) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Carl Hempel, PHILOSOPHY OF NATURAL SCIENCE
Thomas Kuhn, THE STRUCTURE OF SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTIONS
Ian Hacking, REPRESENTING AND INTERVENING
David Papineau, ed. THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
Plus reserve reading on-line.
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Examinations and Assignments:
One take-home expository/comparative essay, two medium length papers, short ungraded papers weekly; informed participation in class discussion. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This is a required course for students in the Science in Society Program, and a core "Mind and Reality" course in Philosophy, but is not limited to SiSP or Philosophy students. While the course has no prerequisites, I recommend some prior work in EITHER Philosophy, SiSP, or at least one science beyond the introductory level |
| Instructor(s): Rouse,Joseph T. Times: ..T.R.. 01:10PM-02:30PM; Location: FISK404; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 30 | | SR major: 10 | JR major: 8 | | |
| Seats Available: -1 | GRAD: 0 | SR non-major: 6 | JR non-major: 4 | SO: 2 | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 4 | 1st Ranked: 1 | 2nd Ranked: 1 | 3rd Ranked: 1 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 1 |
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