Sociology of knowledge perspectives on research traditions and theory of science in an educational context

Third-cycle level | 5.0 credits | Course code: SC30001
HT 2025
Study period: 2025-09-03 - 2025-12-19
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION: The course is given in English
Application period: 2025-05-11 - 2025-08-10
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Course description

The course provides knowledge about different traditions of theory of science, such as positivism, social constructionism, post-structuralism, and realism, that is, different views in relation to questions about the nature of reality, how we as researchers gain knowledge about reality as well as how claims to scientific knowledge are justified and legitimated within different methodological approaches.

In addition, the course sheds light on the socially conditioned and situated nature of practical and scientific knowledge. Based on this basic assumption of sociology of knowledge the course gives advanced knowledge about the ways that class, gender and ethnicity characterizes the research process and the research results.

Taken together, the course contributes to shed light on how the researcher’s choices may contribute to the reproduction or change of inequalities.

Target group

The course is mandatory for persons admitted to the research school in education science that aims to complete a doctorate.

Requirements and Selection

Entry requirements

Qualifying applicants are persons admitted to postgraduate studies at the University of Gothenburg or another university. The course is mandatory for persons admitted to the research school in education science that aims to complete a doctorate, who therefore have priority to the course.

Selection

The course is mandatory for persons admitted to the research school in education science that aims to complete a doctorate, who therefore have priority to the course.

Link to website

https://www.gu.se/culf/forskarskolan-cul

Course syllabus

SC30001

Reading and reference list

Reading and reference list for the course

Department

Department of Sociology and Work Science

Subject

Social Science

Type of course

Subject area course

Research School/Graduate School

CUL

Keywords

CUL 3

CONTACTIréne Carlensberg

irene.carlensberg@gu.se