FC8005 How Science Works

Faculty of Education
Spring 2023
Extent and Intensity
0/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
prof. RNDr. Jan Novotný, CSc. (lecturer)
RNDr. Jindřiška Svobodová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Petr Sládek, CSc.
Department of Physics, Chemistry and Vocational Education – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Jachymiáková
Supplier department: Department of Physics, Chemistry and Vocational Education – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
FC8005/Kombi01: Sat 25. 2. 9:00–10:50 učebna 3, Sat 18. 3. 9:00–10:50 učebna 3
FC8005/Prez01: Tue 8:00–8:50 učebna 3
Prerequisites
The interests in general problems of science
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 35 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 11/35, only registered: 0/35, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/35
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 17 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
understanding, what science is today — and how and why it works;
fundamental aspect of the nature of science and reflection how science tends to differ from other modes of knowing;
knowledge of basic results and methods of sciences;
general background of the scientific theories with respect to physics.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- accept the importance of scientific methods;
- be open mind, to be willing to consider new facts and ideas;
- logically organize the relationship between causes and consequences in investigated problem;
- use knowledge in accordance with the scientist's responsibility and ethical principles.
- identify philosophical issues about the methods of science;
- understand what content science describes and seeks to explain;
- evaluate some rival theories about scientific method and the metaphysics of science
Syllabus
  • 1 Introduction - students' preferences.
  • How has a scientific approach been created to explore the world?
  • 2 Science and its relationship to other human activities;
  • 3 Anthropic principle;
  • 4 Division and unity of sciences. What constitutes the unity of science?
  • 5 Questioning in science, Why? and How? What is? So what?
  • 6 Tools of progress, scientific looking for cause and effect relationships;
  • 7 Argumentation and scientific discussion;
  • 8 Paradoxes, knowledge and logic;
  • 9 Nature of scientific work;
  • 10 Models and modeling, simulation;
  • 11 Ethics of science; Publications and scientometry. How to evaluate scientific work?
  • 12 Critical thinking. Natural literacy.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • HOLTON, Gerald James. Věda a antivěda. Translated by Otakar Jelínek. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 1999, 214 s. ISBN 8020007172. info
  • PUNCH, Keith. Základy kvantitativního šetření. Translated by Jan Hendl. Vydání první. Praha: Portál, 2008, 150 stran. ISBN 9788073673819. info
  • Logika vědeckého bádání. Edited by Karl R. Popper. 1. vyd. Praha: OIKOYMENH, 1997, xliv, 617. ISBN 80-86005-45-3. info
  • ŠPELDA, Daniel. Proměny historiografie vědy. Vydání první. Praha: Filosofia, 2009, 343 stran. ISBN 9788070073100. info
  • FAJKUS, Břetislav. Filosofie a metodologie vědy : vývoj, současnost a perspektivy. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 2005, 339 s. ISBN 8020013040. info
    not specified
  • HENDL, Jan. Kvalitativní výzkum : základní metody a aplikace. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2005, 407 s. ISBN 8073670402. info
Teaching methods
the lecture is based on short presentations, especially of invited experts and debate on their interpretation.
Assessment methods
oral presentation;
The colloquium can also be realized by debating the student's own written work on the given topic.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 4 hodiny.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2023, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2023/FC8005