Examination arrangement

Course content

The course focuses on theories of science and traditions in the philosophy of science, researcher positioning, professional research, knowledge forms in research and development work related to education, research ethics and Bildung.
Traditions included in the course are phenomenology, hermeneutics, structuralism, poststructuralism, pragmatism, postmodernism, feminist epistemologies, posthumanism and new-materialism.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:
The candidate
- has outstanding knowledge of theories of science and epistemological issues and positions
- can evaluate interpretations and research designs in educational research, according to theoretical and philosophical perspectives on science
- has thorough insight into forms of knowledge that are relevant to research related to education and the teacher profession
- can consider ethical challenges related to education research

Skills:
The candidate
- can discuss in how scientific theoretical positioning is important for what kind of insights research about the school and the teacher profession can develop
- identify and handle ethical challenges in research related to education
- can formulate and in a qualified way discuss questions related to Bildung

General competence:
The candidate
- can identify and handle ethical issues in research within their area
- can relate theoretical and epistemological positioning to different research designs, intentions and standards
- can participate in debates on theories of science in profession-oriented educational research at international levels
- can convey research through recognized national and international publication channels

Learning methods and activities

Session-based education, 2-3 days each seminar. Learning and teaching activities include lectures, discussions and student presentations. individually and in study groups with the course literature. Each student set up their own reading list according to given criteria and including the mandatory literature in the course. The course participants are expected to be conducting research projects while taking the course. The course requirement for attendance is 80%.

The examination paper is an academic article. The student presents his/her work on this article for fellow students (acting as opponents) during the last seminar of the course. There will be given academic supervision on the sketch at this seminar.

Mandatory Activities
• Compulsory attendance: 80%
• 4 work requirements: attendance in study group with 2 jointly written submissions, 1 individual written essay, oral presentation and opposition to a fellow student´s work.

Compulsory assignments

• Godkjent oppmøte 80%
• To skriftlige innleveringer
• En skriftlig innlevert artikkelskisse med muntlig presentasjon
• Opposisjon på medstudents presentasjon/oppgave

Further on evaluation

Assessment: Term paper
Grade: Passed / Not Passed
Weighting: 100/100
Four work requirements as well as compulsory attendance 80% must be completed in order to hand in the exam.
The exam paper is an article sketch with a clear problem formulation in the area theories and philosophies of science. The discussion must include active use of the compulsory and self-chosen curriculum.
In case of postponed exam, the examination must be based on completed work requirements from the semester the teaching was followed.

Required previous knowledge

Master's Degree or equivalent. PhD students are prioritized upon admission.

Students are expected to be engaged in their own, on-going research project

Limited admission to education. For further information:
https://fsweb.no/studentweb/login.jsf

Assessment report requires approved enrollment the valid semester. Mandatory activity from previous semesters can be approved by the department.

Course materials

Curriculum of approximately 700 pages