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S-43 - Sociology of science

Course specification
Type of study Bachelor academic studies
Study programme
Course title Sociology of science
Acronym Status Semester Number of classes ECTS
S-43 elective 6 2L + 2E 5.0
Lecturers
Lecturer
Lecturer/Associate (practicals)
    Prerequisite Form of prerequisites
    Sixth semester enrolled
    Learning objectives
    The course represents an introduction to the understanding of contemporary meta-theory, epistemological, paradigmatic and discursive movements in the structure of sociological science. Starting from the distinction of the 3 phases in the historical development of sociology (positivist, sociological and symbolic phase) in this course: 1. At the metatheoretic level, we analyze the shift from nomothetic metatheory and ontological realism to idiographic meta-theory and ontological relativism. 2. At the epistemological level, we analyze the turn of epistemological objectivism towards epistemological relationalism. 3. At the paradigm level, we analyze the changes in the structure of sociological paradigms (universal, general, theoretical, conceptual). 4. At a discursive level, we analyze changes in approach in the study of various social problems.
    Learning outcomes
    Students should adopt basic theoretical and methodological assumptions for the development of a critical-reinterpretation (self-reflexive) relation to the idea of science and its approach to contemporary social processes and phenomena.
    Content
    1. Historical development of sociology (positivist, sociological and symbolic phase) 2. Structure of sociological science (universal, general, theoretical and conceptual paradigm) 3. The social role of sociology (the universalization of society as the only form of sociability) 4. Nomothetic and idiographic metatheory (ontological realism and ontological relativism). Epistemological objectivism and epistemological relativism 5. Dynamic Synthesis (Karl Mannheim) 6. Explanation and Understanding (Fon Wright) 7. Scientific Revolution (Kun, Poper, Fajerabend) 8. Discourse, discursive practice, epistemology (Michel Fuko) 9. Meaning, mark, marked, sender, receiver (Jacques Derrida) 10. Instrumental and communicative rationality. Systemic colonization of the Lifeworld (Jirgen Habermas) 11. Simulation and Simulacrum. The Crisis of Reference Reality (Jean Bodriar) 12. Reality as a construction (Lukman, Berger) 13. Science and Politics (Frensis Fukuyama) 14. Science and education (Djukic) 15. Postmodernity as the entropy of instrumental rationality (Beck, Gidens)
    Teaching Methods
    Teaching will be performed in the form of lectures and exercises. Lectures will be structured through thematic theoretical lectures of the teaching units and discussion. Exercises will be organized through a theoretical analysis of literature whose understanding the student proves by continuously creating and defending seminar work. During the semester, through lectures and exercises, the teaching lessons will be examined partially through two obligatory colloquiums. After fulfilled pre-examination obligations (colloquiums and seminar papers), students gain the right to lay the entire teaching matter in the form of academic talk (final exam).
    Literature
    1. MANHAJM K.: Ideologija i utopija, Nolit Beograd, 1978. (Original title)
    2. KUN T.: Struktura naučnih revolucija, Nolit, Beograd, 1974. (Original title)
    3. RIHT G.H.: Objašnjenje i razumevanje, Nolit, Beograd, 1975. (Original title)
    4. SESARDIĆ N.: Filozofija nauke, Nolit, Beograd. (Original title)
    5. FUKO M.: Arheologija znanja, Plato, Beograd, 1998. (Original title)
    Evaluation and grading
    Knowledge testing will be carried out during the semester through colloquium and seminar papers, and at the end of the semester in the form of an academic talk.