Contemporary Research Issues in Ethics, Science, and Policy

Aim

On completion of the course, the students should on an advanced level be able to:

• compile, critically review, and evaluate current research literature in areas relevant to policy development
• explain and analyze philosophical concepts, theories, and problems related to the evaluation and use of research literature
• present research findings to different target audiences
• develop a theoretically informed argumentation in specific problem areas concerning philosophical questions in policy work
• formulate theory-based political recommendations and assessments of a normative issue within a specific policy area based on research

Content

Central to the course is the use of research findings in policy development. The course addresses the interpretation, explanation, and application of new research information in investigative and policy work. The course provides tools for interpreting research literature by addressing methods in ethics and the philosophy of science. The course also includes practice in explaining new research findings through literature studies that either address issues in the philosophy of science or problems in applied ethics. The course also covers how to use scientific literature in policy work.