Compensatory Modules

Due to its interdisciplinary character, the Master's programme in History and Philosophy of Science is open to students with different disciplinary backgrounds (i.e. prior studies/bachelor's degree in history, philosophy, or other disciplines).
The compensatory module (M1) can be completed in three different ways, depending on students' disciplinary background. The compensatory module allows students to complement their knowledge, thus, laying the foundations for an integrative approach to the field of history and philosophy of science. 

Background in history: module M1.1 (20 ECTS)

Students holding a (bachelor's) degree in history have to take courses from three areas:

  • SE Philosophy of Science (German course title: "SE Wissenschaftstheorie", 5 ECTS)
  • Philosophy-specific courses (amounting to 10 ECTS)
  • Courses from the field of science and technology studies (amounting to 5 ECTS)

 

Specifications regarding philosophy courses

Students have two options when taking philosophy-specific courses for the M1.1 module.

Option 1

Students choose two of the following courses (amounting to 10 ECTS):

  • IK Rhetoric and Theory of Argumentation (German course title: "IK Rhetorik und Argumentationstheorie", 5 ECTS)
  • SE or VO-L focussing on the topic of knowledge/science and society (5 ECTS)
  • SE or VO-L focussing on the topic of politics and social philosophy (5 ECTS)

 

Option 2

Students take introductory courses providing them with basics in logics, as well as epistemology (amounting to 10 ECTS):

  • VO Fundamentals of Logic (German course title: "VO Grundkurs Logik", 3 ECTS)
  • UE Fundamentals of Logic (German course title: "UE Grundkurs Logik", 4 ECTS)
  • VO Epistemology (German course title: " VO Erkenntnistheorie", 3 ECTS)

 

 

 

Specifications regarding courses from science and technology studies

Students can choose one of the following four course combinations. Each combination consists of a lecture (VO, 4 ECTS) and a complementary discussion class (KO, 1 ECTS).

 
  • VO Science, Technology, Society. Key Questions and Concepts (4 ECTS), and
    KO Discussion Class Key Questions and Concepts (1 ECTS)
    or
  • VO Knowledge and Technology Cultures: Central Issues, Questions and Concepts (4 ECTS), and
    KO Discussion Class Knowledge and Technology Cultures (1 ECTS)
    or
  • VO Techno-Science and Society: Communicating and Interacting. Central Issues, Questions and Concepts (4 ECTS), and
    KO Discussion Class Techno-Science and Society (1 ECTS)
    or
  • VO Politics of Innovation and its Institutional Dimensions. Central Issues, Questions and Concepts (4 ECTS), and
    KO Discussion Class Politics of Innovation and its Institutional Dimensions (4 ECTS)

Background in philosophy: module M1.2 (20 ECTS)

Students holding a (bachelor's) degree in philosophy have to take courses from two areas:

  • History-specific courses (amounting to 15 ECTS)
  • Courses from the field of science and technology studies (amounting to 5 ECTS)

 

Specifications regarding history courses

Students must successfully complete the following three courses:

  • KU Sources and Methods of the History of Science (German course title: "KU Quellen und Methoden der Wissenschaftsgeschichte", 6 ECTS)
  • VO Theory of Science and History (German course title: "VO Wissenschaftstheorie, Theorien in der Geschichtswissenschaft",  4 ECTS)
    or
    GR Guided Reading (4 ECTS)
  • VO History of Science (German course title: "VO Wissenschaftsgeschichte - Themenfelder, Probleme und Perspektiven", 5 ECTS)

 

Specifications regarding courses from science and technology studies

Students can choose one of the following four course combinations. Each combination consists of a lecture (VO, 4 ECTS) and a complementary discussion class (KO, 1 ECTS).

  • VO Science, Technology, Society. Key Questions and Concepts (4 ECTS), and
    KO Discussion Class Key Questions and Concepts (1 ECTS)
    or
  • VO Knowledge and Technology Cultures: Central Issues, Questions and Concepts (4 ECTS), and
    KO Discussion Class Knowledge and Technology Cultures (1 ECTS)
    or
  • VO Techno-Science and Society: Communicating and Interacting. Central Issues, Questions and Concepts (4 ECTS), and
    KO Discussion Class Techno-Science and Society (1 ECTS)
    or
  • VO Politics of Innovation and its Institutional Dimensions. Central Issues, Questions and Concepts (4 ECTS), and
    KO Discussion Class Politics of Innovation and its Institutional Dimensions (4 ECTS)

Other disciplinary backgrounds: module M1.3 (20 ECTS)

Students have to take courses in three areas: philosophy, history, and science and technology studies. Students can choose to focus on either philosophy (option 1) or history (option 2).

Option 1

  • Philosophy-specific courses (10 ECTS)
  • History-specific courses (5 ECTS)
  • Courses from the field of science and technology studies (5 ECTS)

 

Option 2

  • History-specific courses (10 ECTS)
  • Philosophy-specific courses (5 ECTS)
  • Courses from the field of science and technology studies (5 ECTS)