Professional Skills - Scientific Ethics

Course manual 2022/2023

Course content

In this course you will acquire basic insight into ethical reasoning. You will learn how to use your knowledge as a nascent academic to deliberate about socially relevant ethical dilemmas. You will apply this knowledge by discussing concrete situations and cases that you can meet in real life as a professional and member of society. This course gives you the building blocks to ethically reflect on your conduct/performance (and that of others) in a professional context.

Study materials

Other

• Study materials will be made available during the course (via Canvas).

Objectives

• The student is familiar with rules of scientific integrity and can apply these in existing situations
• can deliberate about how to conduct scientific research in an ethically responsible manner
• can examine and discuss ethical perspectives in various existing cases
• can debate about a current moral dilemma

Teaching methods

• Seminar
• Self-study
• Presentation/symposium
• Workshops/ Discussion meetings

The course consists of four seminars in which students are expected to play an active role (including partner and small group work, debates, etc.). Students will prepare short pre- and post-class assignments to reflect on each seminar's theme and contents. They will also prepare a small group presentation for the final seminar and turn in a short individual case analysis.

Learning activities

Attendance

Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):

1. Attendance during practical components exercises is mandatory.

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance is required. Because the course consists of four seminars, an absence will only be excused in serious circumstances, in which case the student will need to consult with the coordinator to find alternative means of participating. If a student misses more than one seminar (whatever the reason), they will have missed half of the contact hours and will not be able to pass the course.

Assessment

• Pre-class assignments will be accepted after the deadline until class starts with a .5pt penalty, but after class starts will not be accepted.
• Post-class assignments will be accepted up to 24hrs after the deadline with a 1pt penalty, but after 24hrs will not be accepted (unless specifically arranged with the coordinator in advance).
  • Pre-/Post-class assignments will be graded with a "check plus", "check", "check minus" scheme (worth 3, 2, 1 pts, respectively). For the 7 assignments students need 12 total points to pass.
• Unless specifically arranged with the coordinator at least 24hrs in advance of the deadline, the individual case analysis will not be accepted after the deadline.
• There are no extensions possible for the group presentation.

Assignments

• Pre-class Assignments: Before class each week (except for the first) students will submit a short (~250 word) pre-class reflection designed to prepare them for seminar discussion/activities. Specific prompts/tasks will be announced in class and posted to Canvas.
• Post-class Assignments: After class each week, students will submit a short (~250 word) post-class reflection (due by Weds. 17:00pm). Specific prompts/tasks will be announced in class and posted to Canvas.
  • Pre-/Post-class assignments will be graded with a "check plus", "check", "check minus" scheme (worth 3, 2, 1 pts, respectively). For the 7 assignments students need 12 total points to pass.
• Individual Case Analysis: Students will select a morally challenging case/dilemma of their choice and prepare a short analysis of its central moral features and brief conclusion about what to do (or how it should be evaluated). More details will be provided on Canvas.
• Group Presentation: In groups of ~3-4 (depending on course numbers/interests), students will similarly select a challenging case/dilemma, analyze its central moral features, and come to a consensus position about what to do (or how it should be evaluated). More details will be provided on Canvas.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Colin Hickey PhD