Masteropleiding Christian Studies of Science and Society Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - Faculteit der Wijsbegeerte - M Christian Studies

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1 Masteropleiding Christian Studies of Science and Society Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies I

2 Studiegids informatie voor de masteropleiding Christian Studies of Science and Society. Klik op de onderstaande links om informatie over de vakken te bekijken. Of download de volledige studiegids als pdf met de knop Maak pdf van gehele opleiding. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies II

3 Inhoudsopgave MA CSSS incl. Science, Tech. & Resp. 1 MA CSSS incl. Politics and Society 1 MA CSSS subprogram 3 1 Vak: Ethics, Health Care and Social Work I 2 Vak: Ethics, Health Care and Social Work II 2 Vak: General research supervision 2 Vak: Paper 3 Vak: Personal reading 3 Vak: Philosophical Foundations I 4 Vak: Philosophical Foundations II 4 Vak: Politics and society I 5 Vak: Politics and society II 6 Vak: Science, Technology and Responsibility I 6 Vak: Science, Technology and Responsibility II 8 Vak: Thesis 9 Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies III

4 MA CSSS incl. Science, Tech. & Resp. Vakken: Naam Periode Credits Code General research supervision MA CSSS incl. Politics and Society Period W_MCS_GRS Paper Periode W_MCS_PAPER Personal reading Period W_MCS_READ Philosophical Foundations I Periode W_PHILFOUN_1 Philosophical Foundations II Periode W_PHILFOUN_2 Science, Technology and Responsibility I Science, Technology and Responsibility II Period W_STR_1 Period W_STR_2 Thesis Period W_MCS_THESIS Vakken: Naam Periode Credits Code General research supervision MA CSSS subprogram 3 Period W_MCS_GRS Paper Periode W_MCS_PAPER Personal reading Period W_MCS_READ Philosophical Foundations I Periode W_PHILFOUN_1 Philosophical Foundations II Periode W_PHILFOUN_2 Politics and society I Period W_POL_SOC_1 Politics and society II Period W_POL_SOC_2 Thesis Period W_MCS_THESIS Vakken: Naam Periode Credits Code Ethics, Health Care and Social Work I Ethics, Health Care and Social Work II General research supervision 6.0 W_EHCSW_1 6.0 W_EHCSW_2 Period W_MCS_GRS Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies Pagina 1 van 10

5 Paper Periode W_MCS_PAPER Personal reading Period W_MCS_READ Philosophical Foundations I Periode W_PHILFOUN_1 Philosophical Foundations II Periode W_PHILFOUN_2 Thesis Period W_MCS_THESIS Ethics, Health Care and Social Work I Vakcode W_EHCSW_1 (163014) Voertaal Engels Faculteit Coördinator Ethics, Health Care and Social Work II Vakcode W_EHCSW_2 (163015) Voertaal Engels Faculteit Coördinator General research supervision Course code W_MCS_GRS (163008) Period Period 4+5 Credits 3.0 dr. ir. J. van der Stoep Teaching staff dr. ir. J. van der Stoep Teaching method(s) Seminar The student will: - learn how to write a scholarly paper; - learn to formulate a research question and to work it out in subquestions; - learn to analyze and discuss different texts, relate them to each other and argue about them in a consistent way; - be trained in formal abilities like composing a text and referring to sources; - learn to develop a theoretical framework from a Christian perspective and to apply this both in a theoretical and a practical way. Course content During the course you will be given some lectures concerning the nature of a Christian perspective and how to make use of it in analyzing and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies Pagina 2 van 10

6 discussing other views. The main content will be a discussion of papers and presentations of yourself. Both the formal aspects and the content thereof will be assessed. Important issues are: what is meant by a conceptual framework and how do you apply it? What is required of a conceptual framework to be consistent with a Christian commitment? How can you communicate from such a position with people of a different conviction? This class will be a support to writing a paper and thesis and to the study of the personal reading assignment. The course on Responsible Leadership is an integral part of this course. Form of tuition Active participation during class. Type of assessment Seminar with paper presentations and discussions. Science, Technology & Responsibility I and II (W_STR_1 and W_STR_2), or Politics and Society I and II (W_POL_SOC_1 and W_POL_SOC_2). Paper Vakcode W_MCS_PAPER (163006) Periode Periode 3 Voertaal Engels Faculteit Coördinator Literatuur The choice of literature will depend of the chosen subject. Personal reading Course code W_MCS_READ (163007) Period Period 4 Credits 9.0 The personal reading will introduce you in the literature that is important for your thesis. So it will give you a general orientation concerning the topic you have chosen. Once you start the writing of the thesis you will deal with other, more specific publications. Another aim of Personal Reading is to give you a training in an independent critical analysis and assessment of important literature. You will also learn how to analyze different publications in relation to one another. You will also have an exercise in the selection of relevant literature around a theme by making use of bibliographies, journals and internet. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies Pagina 3 van 10

7 Course content The content of your Personal Reading depends on the topic you have chosen for your master's thesis. You will select relevant literature and present a list to your supervisor. The final list is decided upon by the agreement of the supervisor. The total amount of literature you have to study is between 1200 and 1500 pages. Form of tuition List of your Personal Reading will be divided in 2 parts. For each part you will write a report in which you give an analysis and some critical assessment of the books and articles concerned. In the report you will show an awareness of the relationship between the different publications. You will have a separate discussion with your supervisor about each report. The supervisor will base the final assessment both on the written reports and the oral discussions. Philosphical Foundations I and II (W_PHILFOUN_1 and W_PHILFOUN_2); and either Politics & Society I and II (W_POL_SOC_1 and W_POL_SOC_2) or Science, Technology and Responsibility I and II (W_STR_1 and W_STR_2). Also the short paper (W_MCS_PAPER) needs to be completed. Philosophical Foundations I Vakcode W_PHILFOUN_1 (163000) Periode Periode 1 Voertaal Engels Faculteit Coördinator Docent(en), dr. ir. J. van der Stoep, prof. dr. G. Glas Lesmethode(n) Hoorcollege Toetsvorm Oral examination on the basis of a written report. Literatuur To be announced. Philosophical Foundations II Vakcode W_PHILFOUN_2 (163001) Periode Periode 1 Voertaal Engels Faculteit Coördinator Docent(en) Lesmethode(n) Hoorcollege Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies Pagina 4 van 10

8 Toetsvorm Oral examination on the basis of a written report. Literatuur To be announced. Politics and society I Course code W_POL_SOC_1 (163004) Period Period 2 Teaching staff Teaching method(s) Seminar You will get a thorough understanding of the key concepts of modern political and social thought. An overview of the content and development of these concepts will be given and you will get acquainted with the important currents and thinkers. At the end of this course you will be able to analyze systematically the key issues regarding the topics that are raised in the course; to identify the basis assumptions underneath the various positions regarding these topics; and to give a fair and balanced critical assessment of these positions. Course content You will be introduced into the main concepts of modern social and political thought. This will be done by an exploration of the ideas of such thinkers as Althusius, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Arendt, Rawls and others. We will read sections of original texts and sources, from the most eminent thinkers of this period. Systematically this course is related to the following themes: - Individual and society/burden and challenge of societal life; - Social structures and power/patterns of cultural developments; - State and the public domain/political parties and social movements; - Market-economy, welfare-state and globalization; - International conflict and cooperation/clash of civilizations. - Ethnic, religious and ethical diversity related to political - integration in various contexts. The course is designed as complementary to Politics and Society II. Type of assessment You will write an evaluative paper and evaluate the main issues and currents of thought introduced during this course. This paper serves as a basis for the oral examination. Course reading To be announced at the beginning of the course. Philosphical Foundations I and II. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies Pagina 5 van 10

9 Politics and society II Course code W_POL_SOC_2 (163005) Period Period 2 dr. J. Chaplin Teaching staff Teaching method(s) Seminar This course aims at understanding the contours of a Christian theoretical framework regarding politics and society. Therefore, we will read together relevant key texts. You will be introduced into the main concepts of Christian social and political thought and learn the basic ideas and distinctions (like 'sphere sovereignty'), designed to understand modern society. You will also learn to apply these Christian notions to issues such as human rights, globalization, public life, the clash of civilizations and the role of religion. You will also understand notions like apocalypse and eschaton in relation to these issues. You will learn to enter into a critical (but fair) dialogue with modern and postmodern thought in relation to the themes of the course; as well as to apply relevant theoretical concepts to concrete issues in society and politics. This course is designed as the complementing part of Politics and Society I. Course content You will get a systematic and historical introduction to Christian social and political thought. Starting with the issue of how 'being human' and 'social being' can be understood, you will be introduced to Abraham Kuyper's thoughts about spheres, social structures and responsibilities in society. Dooyeweerd's public philosophy and theory of the state will be studied. These insights will be enhanced when you learn about constitutionalism and the growing importance of supranational cooperation, for instance in the European Union. Subsequently, you will be introduced to the discussion of values and pluralism in society. How is integration of society possible, given the different value orientations, globalizing forces and liquid individualism? You will learn to distinguish between different types of pluralism (structural, directional, contextual). Type of assessment You will write a paper about the main issues and currents of thought introduced during the course. This paper serves as a basis for oral examination Philosophical Foundations I; and Philosophical Foundations; II. Science, Technology and Responsibility I Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies Pagina 6 van 10

10 Course code W_STR_1 (163012) Period Period 2 dr. ir. J. van der Stoep Teaching staff dr. ir. J. van der Stoep, prof. dr. G. Glas Teaching method(s) Seminar At the end you should be able to - discuss in a critical way naturalism, non-reductive physicalism and substance dualism and the basic concepts that are used (e.g. substance, supervenience, dualism and reduction); - discuss various strands in the philosophy of technology and have a general understanding of the idea of science and technology as social practices; - identify the impact of these different positions on the interpretation and practice of ICT, human enhancement, health care and development and agriculture. Course content We will read and discuss some representative texts of different authors concerning the following themes: - the (anti-)cartesian understanding of the human person (fact-value split, substantial unity and property thing, relation to empirical sciences); - non-reductive physicalism and substance dualism (free agency, identity, mental causation,supervenience). We will also read and discuss texts concerning - the specific features of modern science and the relationship between science, technology and society; - the idea of science and technology as social practices: power relationships, internal and external goods, standards of excellence. Finally we will read and discuss texts concerning the following fields: - ICT (impact of technology in society, virtual reality, artificial intelligence); - transhumanism (the mind as an information processing device, the human person as a cyborg); - health care (shift from modern to post-modern concepts in relation to the patient-physician relationship, medical technology and ethics); - development and agriculture (the relation between man and nature, environmental sciences, industrialisation of agriculture). Type of assessment You have to write a report concerning the main elements of the course (issues, concepts, problems, conceptions, arguments). On the basis of this report you will have an oral examination. Course reading A study manual with a list of texts will be made available (Blackboard). Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies Pagina 7 van 10

11 Philosophical Foundations I and II (W_PHILFOUN_1 and W_PHILFOUN_2). Science, Technology and Responsibility II Course code W_STR_2 (163013) Period Period 2 dr. ir. J. van der Stoep Teaching staff dr. ir. J. van der Stoep Teaching method(s) Seminar This class is meant to help you with developing a theoretical framework from a Christian perspective that can be fruitful to analyze important issues in the area of ICT, health care and biotechnology. At the end you are acquainted with some basic biblical notions regarding the human person, with the view of the person within reformational philosophy and with the anthropology of Dooyeweerd; have an integral vision on the normative nature of human practices and the role of science and technology within those practices; have learned how to apply these basic insights in the different fields of health care, ICT, development and agriculture both as to their interpretation and their practice. Course content We will read and discuss texts from a Christian background by different authors like Dooyeweerd, Glas, Geertsema, Jochemsen, Van der Stoep, Strijbos, De Vries and others. The texts will be ordered around the following themes and concepts: a Christian understanding of the human person (image of God, responsibility, being in relationships, self-relation); Dooyeweerds anthropological theory (enkaptic structural whole with different structures, the heart as unity of the body); a Christian understanding of technology (groundmotives, complexity and structure of technological artifacts); the idea of a normative practice (internal/ external goods; regulative/ constitutive side); a Christian understanding of information and communication technology, human enhancement, health care practices, development and agriculture. Form of tuition Lecture and discussion; active participation of students. Type of assessment You have to write a report concerning the main elements of the course (issues, concepts, problems, conceptions, arguments). On the basis of this report you will have an oral examination. Course reading A study manual with a list of texts will be made available. Philosophical Foundations I and II (W_PHILFOUN_1 and W_PHILFOUN_2). Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies Pagina 8 van 10

12 Remarks This class will be given in close connection with Science, Technology and Responsibility I. Thesis Course code W_MCS_THESIS (163009) Period Period Credits 18.0 With the thesis you complete your study in the master's program Christian Studies of Science and Society. You will show your ability to do independent research by writing a scholarly paper (60 to 80 pages). You will apply the knowledge you have acquired to a specific topic and show your competence both concerning the use of a theoretical framework from a Christian perspective and concerning formal requirements. The theoretical framework you apply has the following characteristics: consistency with a Christian commitment (e. g. creation, evil. redemption, understanding God, the human person and diversity and coherence in reality); the inner coherence and relevance of a theoretical framework as a tool for analysis and critique (basic distinctions, theories, concepts); the possibility of communication with people of other convictions (avoidance of implicit assumptions, use of empirical evidence). Your thesis also answers the following formal requirements: - competent use of sources; - clarity of composition (a clear structure of introduction, plan of sections of the main text and conclusion); - clarity as to the topic and research question; - clarity as to analysis (elaboration of the research question in subquestions) and argument (clear logical structure). As an optional goal you might choose as part of the preparation of your thesis involvement in actual social and political practices to understand how insights from a Christian perspective might help to understand and pursue these practices. Course content The topic of your thesis, which you should have chosen before you started your participation in Christian Studies of Science and Society, will apply the knowledge you have acquired during your study to the analysis of a subject that belongs to the field you studied before you entered this program. The preparation for the master thesis might include an internship. If you choose this optional part of the preparation of your thesis you will have interviews and discussions and (to a limited extent and if possible) participation in the work that is done by staff members of institutions that are operating from a Christian perspective in a variety of societal spheres like political parties, labor organizations, broadcasting companies, research institutions in the field of education, medical ethics or technology, or in institutions in the field of health care and social work. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies Pagina 9 van 10

13 Type of assessment Your thesis will be assessed by your supervisor and by a second reviewer. Once it is accepted by both of them, you have to defend it in a (public) meeting with the examination committee which consists of the chairperson of the committee together with your supervisor and second reviewer. You cannot hand in your thesis unless you have completed all the other parts of the program. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - - M Christian Studies Pagina 10 van 10