FEL301 Philosophy of ScienceIstanbul Okan UniversityDegree Programs Public Relations and AdvertisingGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational Qualifications
Public Relations and Advertising
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

General course introduction information

Course Code: FEL301
Course Name: Philosophy of Science
Course Semester: Fall
Course Credits:
Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
3 0 3 5
Language of instruction: TR
Course Requisites:
Does the Course Require Work Experience?: No
Type of course: University Elective
Course Level:
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE:6. Master`s Degree QF-EHEA:First Cycle EQF-LLL:6. Master`s Degree
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Dr.Öğr.Üyesi İLKER ÇAYLA
Course Lecturer(s):
Course Assistants:

Course Objective and Content

Course Objectives: Science has a significant impact on our lives. Some have criticized it for being "reductionist" and part of a general dehumanization of society. Others argue that the sciences are our only means of avoiding the many dangers we currently face.

This course aims to examine these and other central issues in the contemporary philosophy of science, including: the objectivity of science, the nature of scientific method, the status of scientific knowledge, and the character of scientific explanation. The course will also explore the general picture of reality that emerges from modern science.
Course Content: The first part of the course will focus on several central problems regarding the nature of scientific knowledge: how do scientists know if current scientific theories are true? Is science progressive? How do scientists test their theories and how are theories confirmed? Can science and pseudoscience be distinguished? How are sciences distinguished from one another? These questions will be discussed in the light of examples from science. During the course of discussing these problems, you will study some of the major positions that have been taken about scientific knowledge both in the history of philosophy and in the 20th century

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
Learning Outcomes
1 - Knowledge
Theoretical - Conceptual
1) Discuss orally and in writing central issues, concepts and arguments in philosophy of science
2 - Skills
Cognitive - Practical
1) Provide the capacity to contribute to social development both through scientific research and education
3 - Competences
Communication and Social Competence
1) Skill of efficient oral and written communication in Turkish and developing a positive attitude towards life-long learning.
Learning Competence
1) The ability to identify fundamental philosophical ideas and concepts with emphasis on his/her scientific subject
Field Specific Competence
1) To obtain knowledge about dominating theories in the philosophy of science with focus on natural science and technology
Competence to Work Independently and Take Responsibility
1) The ability to apply the concepts of the scientific method in everyday research.

Lesson Plan

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) What is science? What is philosophy of sciences and what is the philosophy of science? What is the problem of scientificity? The Problem of scientificity as a problem of knowledge. / Positivism in the 19th century. Techniques, theories and methodology of science. Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
2) Bacon and Novum Organum. Do Aristoteles' and Bacon's epagoge mean the same?/Hume and the problem of epagoge/The logic behind using epagoge in science. Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
3) The usage of model in scientific explanation. The mutual way in the philosophy of Logical Positivism: Deductive-nomological model (T-Y in Turkish abbreviation) or suitable law model. Hempel's model in scientific explanation. Popper-Hempel model of explanation. What is an explanative natural law? What is the use of an explanative law in the history and historical sciences? Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
4) Neo-positivism and its scientific aproach to philosophy. Rudolf Carnap and his “Elimination of Metaphysics through logical analysis of language”. The ideal of the Vienna Circle: unified science and progress in sciences. Theory-testing through probabilistic verification. Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
5) Theories of probability, various perspectives on probability, probability in science-scientific research Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
6) Epistemological holism and Quine-Duhem thesis: “Two Dogmas of Empiricism”. Duhem’s criticism. Is it possible to confirm a scientific proposition as isolated from other theories related with itself? Can a single scientific theory be tested in isolation, or does a test of one theory always depend on other theories and hypotheses? Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
7) Karl R. Popper and his criterion: Theory-testing through falsification. The Logic of Scientific Discovery. Popper’s solution for the problem of induction. Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
8) A new approach for the History of Science: Alexandre Koyré and his studies on the history of science. Reading some of Alexandre Koyré’s articles Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
9) Thomas Kuhn and his The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Normal science and its solving puzzle. Reading some divisions of The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
10) Revolutionary science. Crisis and the necessity of scientific revolutions. Progress through revolutions in the sciences. Reading some divisions of The Structure of Scientific Revolution. Some criticisms to Kuhn’s view and his reply. Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
11) Paul K. Feyerabend and his anarchist theory of science. The principle “Anything goes”. Reading some divisions of Farewell to Reason, Three Dialogs on Knowledge, and Against Method Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
12) Midterm Exam Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
13) “How to be a good empiricist?”. Feyerabend’s criticism on two conditions of contemporary empricism Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
14) Presentation Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
15) Imre Lakatos and his criticism of Feyerabend. Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015
16) Evaluation Alex Rosenberg, Bilim Felsefesi Çağdaş Bir Giriş, Çev: İbrahim Yıldız, Dipnot Yayınları, Ankara, 2015

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: • Yıldırım, C. (2008). Bilimsel Düşünme Yöntemi. İstanbul : İmge Kitabevi.
• Yıldırım, C. (1996). Bilim Felsefesi. İstanbul : Remzi Kitabevi, 1996.
• Kuhn, T. (1996). Bilimsel Devrimlerin Yapısı. İstanbul : Kırmızı Yayınları.
References: E. B. Bolles (Yay.), Galileo’nun Buyruğu, trans.Nermin Arık, Ankara: TÜBİTAK Yayınları, 2000.Rudolf Carnap,“The Elimination of Metaphysics Through Logical Analysis of Language”, Logical Positivism, Yay. Alfred J. Ayer, New York: Free Press, 2002.Robin G. Collingwood, Doğa Tasarımı, çev. Kurtuluş Dinçer, Ankara: İmge Kitabevi Yayınları, 1999.Nicolaus Copernicus, Gökcisimlerinin Devinimleri Üzerine, çev. Saffet Babür, İstanbul: Yapı Kredi Yayınları, 2002.Kurtuluş Dinçer, Bilimsel Açıklamada Hempel Modeli, Ankara: TFK Yayınları, 1993.Pierre Duhem, Medieval Cosmology: Theories of Infinity, Place, Time, Void, and The Plurality of Worlds, çev. ve haz. Roger Ariew, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1985.Pierre Duhem, Roger Ariew, Essays in History and Philosophy of Science, çev. Peter Barker, London: Hackett Pub. Co, 1996.Pierre Duhem, Jules Vuillemin, The Aim and Structure of Physical Theory, çev.Philip Wiener, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1991.Galileo Galilei, Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences, çev. Henry Crew ve Alfonso de Salvio, New York: Prometheus Books, 1991.Edward Grant, Ortaçağda Fizik Bilimleri, çev. Aykut Göker, Verso Yayınları, Ankara, 1986.Alexandre Koyré, Kapalı Dünyadan Sonsuz Evrene, çev. Aziz Yardımlı, İstanbul: İdea Yayınları, 1998.Imre Lakatos ve Alan Musgrave (Yay.), Criticism and the Growth of Knowledge, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1970.Bryan Magee, Karl Popper’in Bilim Felsefesi ve Siyaset Kuramı, çev. Mete Tunçay, İstanbul: Remzi Kitabevi Yayınları, 1982.Gerard Radnitzky ve Gunnar Andersson (Yay.), The Structure and Development of Science, Boston: D. Reidel Pub. Co, 1979.Moritz Schlick, İlim ve Felsefe, çev. Hilmi Ziya Ülken, İstanbul: Vakit Yay., 1934.Richard Westfall, Modern Bilimin Oluşumu, çev. İsmail Hakkı Duru, Ankara: TÜBİTAK Yayınları, 1998.Peter Whitfield, Batı Biliminde Dönüm Noktaları, çev. Serdar Uslu, İstanbul: Küre Yayınları, 2008.John Worrall ve Elie Zahar (Yay.), Proofs and Refutations: The Logic Of Mathemetical Discovery, New York: Cambridge University Press, 1999.

Course-Program Learning Outcome Relationship

Learning Outcomes

1

2

3

4

5

6

Program Outcomes
1) 1. Comprehending theories of interpersonal communication, 2. Know the basic concepts and practices of public relations and advertising,
2) 1. Understanding the basic principles and principles of communication and developing a point of view in this direction, 2. Be able to understand and interpret theoretical approaches in the field of communication, 3. Mass communicaiton theories and their comprehension and discussion to relation between the activities of professional communicators, 4. Use of information related to the fields of communication science, business management, marketing, sociology, organizational behavior, economics, political science, law, scientific research and cultural studies into public relations and advertising discipline, 5. Knowing all elements of marketing communication; strategy development, research, planning and application in issues advertisement, public relations, sales, direct marketing and e-communication, 6. Data compilation, application, analysis and interpretation of results, 7. Apply to the field and solve problems of basic behavioral sciences, 8. Ability to plan, define, model and solve related to public relations campaigns, 9. Understanding the interaction between public relations and management which is a business function, 10. Necessary research for a successful public relations application, definition of objectives, identifying target groups and corresponding messages to these, choosing the right councils and evaluating the results, 11. Related to advertising campaigns planning, definition, modelling and ability to solve, 12. Acquire and use managerial skills in the advertising sector, 13. Media research, planning and purchasing knowledge and skills, 14. Design and implement to the advertisement materials for various advertisement channels
3) 1. Make active presentations using appropriate announcement texts and visual aids for speeches and meetings; be able to express oneself and present a project, 2. Working as a team member and taking responsibility, 3. Resolve possible crises in institutions by assessing political, economic and technological all developments that will affect the field of public relations and to produce parallel strategies to the new situation, 4. Recognizing, understanding and designing elements of successful corporate communication, 5. Supply the stated or felt requirements, public relations services development in accordance with accepted professional standards, 6. Apply creative thinking methods and techniques,
4) 1. Comprehending media literacy skills in the news taking process, 2. Comprehension of conceptual connections between public relations, advertising and politics, 3. Having knowledge and interpretation about the periodical processes of advertising, 4. Identify market research required for advertisement implementations and be able to evaluate in terms of advertising,
5) 1. Ability to follow the development of education, science and technology and to recognize and describe the interaction of these elements with communication processes, 2. Applying to public relations, advertising and communication fields following new methods and technologies, 3. To use information communication technologies strategically within advertising and marketing, 4. To be able to comprehend and use contemporary techniques and software in the field of visual design, 5. To be able to follow national and international the contemporary problems, threads in the field of advertising, 6. To create a true dialectic mental, psychological and moral conditions with the Public Relations practices and acknowledging that the parties have the right to disclose their own situation and views, 7. Take care of the truth in Public Relations practices, to disseminate of information that is not based on sustainable and preconceived facts, 8. In Public Relations messages prepared for the promotion of products with regard to young people and children, they will damage their trust feelings, taking care to avoid no content that will affect psychological and physical weaknesses, 9. When practicing their profession, take care to ensure fair representation of the views of all interested parties, 10. Respecting the principle of confidentiality of confidential information that can be obtained by professions, 11. Pay attention to the fact that communication by their profession is based on open, correct, bi-directional and fully informed. 12. Where it is necessary to compete in a personal or institutional level, disuses the personal / institutional links that would unfairly affect competition; secondary undertaken tasks etc. as it will serve this purpose, 13. To prevent discrimination and promote the development of positive discrimination in intra-agency communication, 14. Supporting precautionary approaches to environmental problems in the business world, 15. To support all kinds of activities and formation that will increase environmental responsibility, 16. To support the development and diffusion of environmental friendly technologies,
6) 1. Understand social organizations and institutions, family, religious institutions and their relationship with communication, 2. Carry out public relations and advertising practices based on a common and broad knowledge base, academic studies, researchs, ethical principles and performance auditing, 3. To know and understand the quality concept in public relations and advertisement, 4. In Turkey and in the world of brand management strategy evaluation, implement brand strategies and analyze various campaigns, 5. Targeting to receive a quality certificate, performance audit and to apply continuously systems to improve the quality, 6. Applying the Public Relations profession not only to the institution but also to oversee the benefit of collecting, 7. Identify messages that are appropriate for the target audience in the advertisement and choosing the right councils and evaluating the results, 8. To be able to interpret legal regulations intented for communication and advertisement field, 9. To recognize the basic principles of concord, manage the processes of concord or to work get a job in these processes, 10. Recognition of ethical principles in the International Advertising Practice Guidelines; in this respect, advertising applications integrity, honesty, social responsibility, protection of children and young people, respect for personal rights, sensitivity to health and environment, to be able to evaluate in terms of subjects such as the protection of the consumer, 11. To design, plan, implement and evaluate communication activities with the belief that all individuals should benefit from the rights arising from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 12. Protecting and respecting human dignity in communication activities, ensuring that everyone has their own judgment, 13. Under all conditions, in public relations practies, to behove in shape of protecting mutuall interests are served both by this assocation and by this assocation of public societies, 14. Performing public relations and advertising profession so as not to damage the public interest, 15. Observing that the communication they establish by aiming to create mutual understanding during their professional activities is not harmful attribution to the cultural values and beliefs of society in terms of both legal and ethical, 16. Acting in harmony with articles the Idea and Artworks Law during the works, 17. Do not accept tasks that are contrary to the principles of professional ethics, 18. Work to protect and upgrade the reputation and prestige of the profession, 19. Do not be in comments and behaviors that would damage the reputation of your colleagues, 20. Respect for the Press Professional Principles with the freedom of the media to receive information and to inform the public, 21. The blogs, forums, video and photo sharing sites and similiar social media tools are enriching in the sense of changing and reflecting public opinion therefore in those channels professional activities the identity of the representatives in these meetings in terms of transparency principle, 22. Do not mislead public opinion or its representatives, 23. Do not use blackmail, bribe and repression, 24. As a public relations expert, do not sign a contract with a client or employer that guarantees quantitative results, 25. Not to be included in the initiatives and commitments in feature that are contradictory to social rules, dishonest, damage human dignity and character, 26. To promote and respect human rights declared in the business world, 27. Not being complicit of human rights violations in the business world, 28. To oppose all kinds of child labor, 29. Fighting corruption in the business world, 30. To struggle with corruption in the business world, 31. To carry out professional practices in order to not violate the ethical principles in purview public relations and advertising.

Course - Learning Outcome Relationship

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) 1. Comprehending theories of interpersonal communication, 2. Know the basic concepts and practices of public relations and advertising,
2) 1. Understanding the basic principles and principles of communication and developing a point of view in this direction, 2. Be able to understand and interpret theoretical approaches in the field of communication, 3. Mass communicaiton theories and their comprehension and discussion to relation between the activities of professional communicators, 4. Use of information related to the fields of communication science, business management, marketing, sociology, organizational behavior, economics, political science, law, scientific research and cultural studies into public relations and advertising discipline, 5. Knowing all elements of marketing communication; strategy development, research, planning and application in issues advertisement, public relations, sales, direct marketing and e-communication, 6. Data compilation, application, analysis and interpretation of results, 7. Apply to the field and solve problems of basic behavioral sciences, 8. Ability to plan, define, model and solve related to public relations campaigns, 9. Understanding the interaction between public relations and management which is a business function, 10. Necessary research for a successful public relations application, definition of objectives, identifying target groups and corresponding messages to these, choosing the right councils and evaluating the results, 11. Related to advertising campaigns planning, definition, modelling and ability to solve, 12. Acquire and use managerial skills in the advertising sector, 13. Media research, planning and purchasing knowledge and skills, 14. Design and implement to the advertisement materials for various advertisement channels
3) 1. Make active presentations using appropriate announcement texts and visual aids for speeches and meetings; be able to express oneself and present a project, 2. Working as a team member and taking responsibility, 3. Resolve possible crises in institutions by assessing political, economic and technological all developments that will affect the field of public relations and to produce parallel strategies to the new situation, 4. Recognizing, understanding and designing elements of successful corporate communication, 5. Supply the stated or felt requirements, public relations services development in accordance with accepted professional standards, 6. Apply creative thinking methods and techniques,
4) 1. Comprehending media literacy skills in the news taking process, 2. Comprehension of conceptual connections between public relations, advertising and politics, 3. Having knowledge and interpretation about the periodical processes of advertising, 4. Identify market research required for advertisement implementations and be able to evaluate in terms of advertising,
5) 1. Ability to follow the development of education, science and technology and to recognize and describe the interaction of these elements with communication processes, 2. Applying to public relations, advertising and communication fields following new methods and technologies, 3. To use information communication technologies strategically within advertising and marketing, 4. To be able to comprehend and use contemporary techniques and software in the field of visual design, 5. To be able to follow national and international the contemporary problems, threads in the field of advertising, 6. To create a true dialectic mental, psychological and moral conditions with the Public Relations practices and acknowledging that the parties have the right to disclose their own situation and views, 7. Take care of the truth in Public Relations practices, to disseminate of information that is not based on sustainable and preconceived facts, 8. In Public Relations messages prepared for the promotion of products with regard to young people and children, they will damage their trust feelings, taking care to avoid no content that will affect psychological and physical weaknesses, 9. When practicing their profession, take care to ensure fair representation of the views of all interested parties, 10. Respecting the principle of confidentiality of confidential information that can be obtained by professions, 11. Pay attention to the fact that communication by their profession is based on open, correct, bi-directional and fully informed. 12. Where it is necessary to compete in a personal or institutional level, disuses the personal / institutional links that would unfairly affect competition; secondary undertaken tasks etc. as it will serve this purpose, 13. To prevent discrimination and promote the development of positive discrimination in intra-agency communication, 14. Supporting precautionary approaches to environmental problems in the business world, 15. To support all kinds of activities and formation that will increase environmental responsibility, 16. To support the development and diffusion of environmental friendly technologies,
6) 1. Understand social organizations and institutions, family, religious institutions and their relationship with communication, 2. Carry out public relations and advertising practices based on a common and broad knowledge base, academic studies, researchs, ethical principles and performance auditing, 3. To know and understand the quality concept in public relations and advertisement, 4. In Turkey and in the world of brand management strategy evaluation, implement brand strategies and analyze various campaigns, 5. Targeting to receive a quality certificate, performance audit and to apply continuously systems to improve the quality, 6. Applying the Public Relations profession not only to the institution but also to oversee the benefit of collecting, 7. Identify messages that are appropriate for the target audience in the advertisement and choosing the right councils and evaluating the results, 8. To be able to interpret legal regulations intented for communication and advertisement field, 9. To recognize the basic principles of concord, manage the processes of concord or to work get a job in these processes, 10. Recognition of ethical principles in the International Advertising Practice Guidelines; in this respect, advertising applications integrity, honesty, social responsibility, protection of children and young people, respect for personal rights, sensitivity to health and environment, to be able to evaluate in terms of subjects such as the protection of the consumer, 11. To design, plan, implement and evaluate communication activities with the belief that all individuals should benefit from the rights arising from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 12. Protecting and respecting human dignity in communication activities, ensuring that everyone has their own judgment, 13. Under all conditions, in public relations practies, to behove in shape of protecting mutuall interests are served both by this assocation and by this assocation of public societies, 14. Performing public relations and advertising profession so as not to damage the public interest, 15. Observing that the communication they establish by aiming to create mutual understanding during their professional activities is not harmful attribution to the cultural values and beliefs of society in terms of both legal and ethical, 16. Acting in harmony with articles the Idea and Artworks Law during the works, 17. Do not accept tasks that are contrary to the principles of professional ethics, 18. Work to protect and upgrade the reputation and prestige of the profession, 19. Do not be in comments and behaviors that would damage the reputation of your colleagues, 20. Respect for the Press Professional Principles with the freedom of the media to receive information and to inform the public, 21. The blogs, forums, video and photo sharing sites and similiar social media tools are enriching in the sense of changing and reflecting public opinion therefore in those channels professional activities the identity of the representatives in these meetings in terms of transparency principle, 22. Do not mislead public opinion or its representatives, 23. Do not use blackmail, bribe and repression, 24. As a public relations expert, do not sign a contract with a client or employer that guarantees quantitative results, 25. Not to be included in the initiatives and commitments in feature that are contradictory to social rules, dishonest, damage human dignity and character, 26. To promote and respect human rights declared in the business world, 27. Not being complicit of human rights violations in the business world, 28. To oppose all kinds of child labor, 29. Fighting corruption in the business world, 30. To struggle with corruption in the business world, 31. To carry out professional practices in order to not violate the ethical principles in purview public relations and advertising.

Learning Activity and Teaching Methods

Expression
Individual study and homework
Lesson
Group study and homework
Reading
Homework
Problem Solving
Q&A / Discussion
Social Activities

Assessment & Grading Methods and Criteria

Written Exam (Open-ended questions, multiple choice, true-false, matching, fill in the blanks, sequencing)
Oral Examination
Homework
Presentation

Assessment & Grading

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Homework Assignments 1 % 20
Presentation 1 % 20
Midterms 1 % 20
Final 1 % 40
total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 40
total % 100

Workload and ECTS Credit Grading

Activities Number of Activities Workload
Course Hours 16 48
Study Hours Out of Class 16 48
Presentations / Seminar 16 32
Homework Assignments 16 32
Midterms 2 6
Paper Submission 1 3
Total Workload 169