Course 2024-2025

Introduction to Natural Sciences [LPHIB111]

  • 3 credits
  • 30h
  • 1st quarter
Language of instruction: French / Français

Learning outcomes

At the end of this teaching unit, students will be able to compare their understanding of concepts and methods specific to the natural sciences with concrete scientific practice carried out by a university researcher.

This understanding will result in particular in the formulation of questions that can be addressed to a field scientist.

This confrontation will be manifested by the reflexive dimension that the students will introduce into their work of written report.

 

Objectives

·  That the apprentice philosopher be familiar with the essential characteristics of the modern scientific approach and its main contemporary fields of application.

·  That he familiarizes himself with certain paradigms currently dominating the sciences having for object nature.

·  That his own epistemological approach makes possible an encounter with the concrete work of a researcher in a scientific field that interests him.

·  May this meeting allow him to approach the contents of knowledge in a spirit of dialogue with philosophical astonishment and questioning.

·  Finally, that he learns to report in writing on this confrontation between concepts and framework of theoretical thoughts, and the life of a science in the field.

 

Content

Throughout the sessions, several contemporary natural sciences will be introduced based on historical elements and key concepts of their theoretical frameworks.

This approach will be based on a series of texts available on Webcampus.

Reflective moments will also be offered in the form of discussions on topics such as: "what is nature?", "the biases of a scientist", "objectivity", "is science progressing?" her?”, etc.

The students will contribute part of the content themselves by being invited to meet scientists with research experience.

 


Teaching methods

Masterful teaching (acquisition) alternating with moments of interaction in the form of discussions. These will be based in particular on reading texts.

Students will also be supported in their practical approach of going to meet a field scientist. This approach will lead to the production of a written summary.

 

Evaluations

The certification evaluation will be done in two stages:

  1. Submission of a written work: reflective report of a meeting with a scientific researcher (50% of the final mark)
  2. Oral exam consisting of a discussion on the content of the work submitted by the student (50% of the final mark)


The precise instructions as well as the evaluation criteria and indicators will be communicated to the students via Webcampus

 

Recommended readings

The supporting texts will be available on the Webcampus platform.

 

Language of instruction

French / Français

Location for course

NAMUR

Organizer

Faculté de philosophie et lettres
Rue de Bruxelles, 61
5000 NAMUR

Degree of Reference

Undergraduate Degree
BlockCredits
Bachelier en philosophie13