Module: Philosophy of Social Science

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Philosophy of Social Science
Module Code	EF610 (ITS) / BAA1079 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinator	Rachel Keegan
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Repeat the module

Description

This module considers the range of philosophical approaches that underpin research across the business disciplines in order to assist scholars in exploring the epistemological and methodological debates that characterise their own research areas.

Learning Outcomes

1. explain the ontological and epistemological paradigms that exist within Business research
2. analyse the impact that different epistemological lenses will have on the specification of research problems and techniques for solving them
3. critically assess the nature of philosophical debate within their own research
4. develop their own ontological and epistemological underpinning to their primary research

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	10	Compiling a methodological bibliography relevant to core literature and nature of research questions
Independent Study	20	Reading compiled bibliography
Independent Study	36	Analysing compiled bibliography
Independent Study	25	Writing up draft essay
Independent Study	10	Editing essay from feedback
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

What is Science?
Ontological, epistemological and methodological analysis; the nature of causality; the nature of understanding; erklaren versus verstehen

Empiricism
Realist ontology; induction and deduction; the impact of positivism on the nature of business research; Quine and relativism

Phenomenology and Hermeneutic Philosophy
Husserl, Heidegger and Gadamer; the concept of the life-world; understanding as a goal of research; the linguistic turn

The Middle Ground
Pragmatism; Pierce, Dewey and James; Critical Theory; Horkheimer, Adorno; Habermas; Critical Realism; Bhaskar, Archer, Lawson

Social Theory – a Brief Aside
Structure and agency; holism and individualism; making sense of organisations and the individuals within them; another middle ground -critical realism versus structuration

Postmodernism(s)
Poststructuralism and postmodern thought – the work of Foucault; the impact of postmodernism on business research

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	0%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Essay	The essay should be tailored to the research process being undertaken by the scholar and the particular stage they are at in this process. Some scholars may use the essay to explore the philosophical issues that are extant within their reseach area. Others may present as the essay a draft of the philosophy chapter of their thesis. Each scholar, in close consultation with their supervisor, should identify the most appropriate topic and submit this to the module coordinator. The essay should be no longer than 3500 words in length. Scholars are free to submit their essay at any stage during their doctoral studies, but before the submission of the PGR4 form to the Registry.	100%

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category -

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None