PhD Course REL 607 Research as a Moral Praxis: Social ethics for Researchers

The course focuses on important social ethical challenges related to research and the role of the researcher. Thus, the following topics are essential:

• Normative challenges in empirical research and hermeneutical approaches
• The societal consequences of research
• Researchers as contributors to policy formulations in professions and political decision-making
• Research topics and dominating narratives
• Freedom of research and challenges
• Intersectionality in research and research traditions

Recommended previous knowledge and basis for admission

Admission to the course presupposes acceptance in a relevant Ph.D.-program.

It is expected that the students have basic knowledge concerning ethics from their respective bachelor- or master’s degrees. We recommend that students lacking ethics from a master´s degree level, read introductions to ethical theory and researcher ethics, after consulting with their supervisor or the course coordinator.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students are expected to have acquired advanced knowledge concerning research’s ethical and normative dimensions and challenges. Furthermore, the students should be able to identify and reflect upon the social ethical challenges of research, as well as having practiced ethical consciousness and critical reflection concerning one’s own research project and the overall role as a researcher. Thus, the student should be able to reflect independently concerning research as a moral praxis.

Working/Teaching methods

Classroom teaching for three days consisting of a combination of lectures, seminar discussions, as well as presentations and discussions of papers.

Conditions for the exam

Participation on the course.

Exam

After the classroom teaching the students submit an assignment of a maximum of 3000 words, as well as reference list, where challenges in their own dissertation project are discussed in the light of relevant theoretical perspectives from the course literature. The assignment topic must be approved by the course coordinator. Further information concerning deadlines will be published on Canvas. The assignment will be evaluated as approved/not approved.

Offered as a single standing module

Yes. Subject to availability or capacity.

Faculty

Faculty for Humanities and Pedagogics

Credit Points

5

Contact persons

Professor Solveig Botnen Eide

and Associate Professor Gunhild Maria Hugdal