Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Philosophy of Social Science
Module Code	EF610
School	DCUBS
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Rachel Keegan Semester 2: Rachel Keegan Autumn: Rachel Keegan
Module Teacher	Rachel Keegan
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent learning	10	Compiling a methodological bibliography relevant to core literature and nature of research questions
Independent learning	20	Reading compiled bibliography
Independent learning	36	Analysing compiled bibliography
Independent learning	25	Writing up draft essay
Independent learning	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	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
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%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 2

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

AFPD

PhD

ALPD

PhD

ALPM

ALPT

PhD-track