Cursusdoelen
After completion of this course:
- Students are able to read and understand philosophical and social-scientific texts.
- Students understand different social-constructivist and philosophical theories.
- Students are able to apply these theories to concrete scientific research concerning a particular case.
- Students are able to critically reflect, both verbally and in writing, on the field of biomedical science, guided by social-constructivist and philosophical theories.
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Inhoud
Science was long regarded as an isolated practice of small groups of experts, completely separate from “the real world”, whose products eventually trickled down into society. In the 20th century, this sharp divide vanished. Many now consider science a social phenomenon, which takes shape in a context with many different influences. Scientists, policymakers, interest groups, patients, political forces and societal developments all shape scientific thinking and the products of science.
In this course we will look at this social phenomenon through the eyes of different philosophical and sociological theories. We will use different case studies – HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia, ADHD, among others – to consider the different actors and contextual factors that influence biomedical science. Throughout the course we will look at the influence of societal developments, technology, political activism, external sponsors, the institutional context and the role of the scientists themselves. You will work on two group reports, in which you apply the different theories and perspectives to one specific case study (disease or condition).
After completing this course, you will be able to take a broader perspective towards scientific practice and reflect on the context that influences biomedical science and its products.
In case you would like more information about this course – for example an overview of its contents, the course schedule, examples of texts we will be using, or last year’s student evaluations – or you have any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the course coordinator at anke.oerlemans@radboudumc.nl.
Key words
Philosophy of science, philosophy of technology, science in transition, social constructivism, societal impact.
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