Universität Wien

180140 SE Introduction to Topics and Methods in Philosophy and Economics (2020W)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

*Special arrangements pertaining to COVID-19 public health regulations:* Depending on public health regulations, the seminar may have to take place in a hybrid online/offline format, or entirely online. The assessment remains the same, and we will use the same time slot for online sessions in which we reproduce the seminar setup with plenary and small group discussions. The seminar sessions will also be transmitted online, so if due to health concerns or travel restrictions, you are unable to attend any in-person seminar sessions, then you can participate in this way.

Thursday 08.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 15.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 22.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 29.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 05.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 12.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 19.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 26.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 03.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 10.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 17.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 07.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 14.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 21.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 28.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This seminar introduces students to topics and skills central to the Philosophy and Economics MA Programme. We will study the three sub-fields of philosophy and economics:
- Philosophy, History, and Methodology of Economics,
- Rationality and Decision-Making, and
- Ethics, Welfare, and Justice.

Throughout the seminar, we will practice research skills such as
- formulating research questions and plans,
- orally presenting ideas,
- searching, managing, and referencing literature,
- writing research paper outlines and abstracts,
- explaining technical economics concepts in non-technical language,
- using economics concepts to illuminate philosophical ideas.

At the end of the seminar, you will be able to explain central themes in the three sub-fields of philosophy and economics, and will have developed your abilities in the above research skills, thereby preparing your for advanced work in philosophy and economics.

The seminar is taught and assessed in English, and will feature extensive small group discussions. In preparation of each seminar, you will read the assigned core text/material and complete some short preparatory reading tasks and other research exercises on Moodle. After each seminar, you will complete additional exercises to put what you have learned to practice.

Assessment and permitted materials

The seminar is assessed through weekly preparation tasks, a recorded video presentation, and a final term paper.

1) Weekly seminar preparation tasks: These come in two flavours: a) for weeks with seminar readings, you are required to answer a few questions about the reading. These are marked for completeness, not for correctness: what matters here is that you have seriously thought about the tasks and prepared for the seminar. b) research skills tasks: For weeks without readings, in which we focus on discussing research skills, you are required to complete a set of tasks, following instructions provided on-line. These tasks are marked for how well you have implemented the instructions provided. Weight of all tasks combined: 30%. Deadline: Each teaching week noon on the day before the seminar. Tasks that are late without authorisation can at most score a grade of 4 (mere pass).

3) A short video presentation of 6-7 minutes in which you explain an idea of the week's seminar reading(s) and raise and explain a discussion question about it. Instructions for a simple setup for online presentations are provided online on Moodle. Sign-up for presentation dates and topics will be on Moodle. Weight: 20%. *Deadline:* The video presentations must be uploaded by 9am on the day before the respective seminar, and all other students are expected to watch the presentation and give feedback on it. *Weight: 30%.* Since the success of the seminar depends on everyone watching the presentations before the seminar sessions, delayed uploads can achieve at most a passing grade (4). If upload is delayed for reasons outside of your control, e.g. illness, then this penalty does not apply.

For students who for good reason are unable to give a presentation, a short written assignment is possible as well. If you think this might apply to you, please get in touch at felix.pinkert@univie.ac.at.

2) A term paper of 1600-1700 words (including bibliography), on any topic from the seminar. The essay may, but need not, focus on the topic of your presentation. Weight: 40%. Deadline: February 28, 2021, 23:59.

The term paper is to be submitted on Moodle, preferably as pdf file, with all identifying information (name, student ID) in the text, file name, and file metadata removed to facilitate anonymous marking. Delayed submissions get a marking penalty of +0.2 for each day (24h) of lateness, although this penalty does not lead to a failing grade. If your submission is delayed for reasons outside of your control, e.g. illness, please contact me via email as soon as possible.

I will only look at and mark assessments after the deadline, irrespective of how early you submit, and will then mark them within four weeks. If you need your mark earlier, e.g. if you are on an exchange semester, please explicitly request this by email to felix.pinkert@univie.ac.at

By registering for this course/seminar, you tacitly agree to having all your electronic submissions checked by the plagiarism detection software Turnitin.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

A positive evaluation requires that you achieve a pass grade (4) in all assessment components, and that you actively attend the seminar. Two unauthorized absences will be excused.

Examination topics

Presentation topics will be listed on Moodle and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You can write your term paper on any topics linked to the seminar themes and texts. You are encouraged to develop your own research topics, and to consult with me on your writing plans.

Reading list

The reading list and all materials and weekly tasks are posted on Moodle.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Sa 08.07.2023 00:17