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SAMPLE SYLLABUS
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Spring
2001
Philosophy of Science
0122-304-01
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Professor
Stump
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Office
CA room D5a
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Office
Hours MW 2:30-4:00 and by appointment
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Office
Phone 422-6153
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email:
stumpd@usfca.edu
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TEXTS
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(available
at the bookstore except for Popper)
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- Byerly and Stevenson, The Many Faces of
Science
- Popper, from The Logic of Scientific Discovery
(on reserve at the library)
- Kuhn, Structure of Scientific Revolutions
- Latour, Pasteurization of France
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COURSE
OBJECTIVES
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critical examination of conflicting interpretations of scientific
practice. Major issues include the nature of scientific explanation,
the development of instrumentation and experimental techniques,
how scientific knowledge is validated, whether theories are to be
interpreted as literally true or as instrumentally adequate, scientific
revolutions, and the rationality of science. This course is interdisciplinary
in nature: we have to understand science, how to write history,
and how to redefine traditional philosophical issues in a new setting.
This course fulfills part of the Philosophy and Theology requirement
(Area F) of the GEC and should be taken only after Great Philosophical
Questions has been completed.
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REQUIREMENTS
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Many short
expository in class or take home writing assignments (1 paragraph
each), short in class presentations, three (3) short critical papers
(1-3 pages) and a cumulative final exam. Class participation and
the in class assignments will count 25 percent, each short paper
will count 15 percent, and the final exam 30 percent. Missing or
late assignments count as zero (0). You may miss one in class (but
not a take home) writing assignment without penalty. Final letter
grade will be determined on the basis of total points, not on average
letter grades given on the assignments. |
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PAPER
AND FINAL EXAM DATES
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Papers will
be due Fridays, 2/16, 3/9, 4/6/01. The Final Exam will be held on
Wed. 5/16/01 at 12:30 PM (The same as all MWF 11:10-12:00 classes.)
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ATTENDANCE
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You are required
to attend class and after missing 2 classes, you will be penalized
one point for each class missed without a legitimate excuse. It
is your responsibility to contact me promptly when you must miss
class, and to add your name to the class list if you arrive late
or have an excuse for your absence.
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MAKE
UP WORK
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Serious illness,
a death in the immediate family, and student activities which are
official, required and cannot be avoided are the only reasons that
will be accepted for missing class, an examination or turning in
papers late. You must either inform me in advance of an excuse for
missing a deadline, or else have written documentation. Class participation
cannot be made up. Excused absences can only amount to one third
of class work; if you miss more, you will be required to withdraw.
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Paper Due Dates and Approximate Weekly
Readings
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Stevenson
and Byerly, The Many Faces of Science
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1/24
First Day
Wed
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pp.
1-37
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prepare
arguments about the value of science
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Fri
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read
as much of the book as you can, and prepare an analysis of your
assigned figure
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Mon
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pp.
38-231
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(i.e.
finish the book by Monday, 1/29)
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Popper,
The Logic of Scientific Discovery
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1/29
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read
Popper, pp. 27-39
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finish
discussion of figures
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2/5
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pp.
39-48
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2/12
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pp.
78-92
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2/16/01,
Friday
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First
Paper Due
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Kuhn,
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
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2/19
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pp.
1-42
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(President's
Day Holiday Monday, 2/19/01)
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2/26
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pp.
43-91
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3/5
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pp.
92-143
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3/9/01,
Friday
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Second
Paper Due
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3/12
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no
class
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(Spring
Break 3/12-16)
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3/19
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pp.
144-174
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3/26
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pp.
175-210
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Latour,
Pasteurization of France
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4/2
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pp.
3-31
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4/6/01,
Friday
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Third
Paper Due
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4/9
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pp.
31-58
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(Good
Friday Holiday, 4/13/01)
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4/16
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pp.
59-85
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4/23
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pp.
85-110
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4/30
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pp.
111-150
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5/7
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review
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5/9/01,
Wed.
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our
last class
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5/16,
Wed. 12:30-2:30
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Final
Exam
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Department of Philosophy