University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable: To be arranged

This applied philosophy module surveys a variety of methodological and normative issues at the intersection of philosophy and economics. Students will learn some theories of scientific explanation 'the deductive-nomological model, new mechanism, interventionism, etc.' and apply these to basic explanatory methods in economics such as decision theory, game theory, statistical analysis, etc. They will also apply theories of ethics and political philosophy to areas of normative economics such as social choice theory, behavioral economics and the defense of capitalism. Prior familiarity with economics is not presupposed, nor advanced mathematics, but students must be prepared to encounter some challenging material. The module is run conjointly with the economics department and thus students must be willing to venture outside pure philosophy. In return, they will have the opportunity to engage with economics students, opening up a dialogue from which both sides stand to learn a great deal.

Relationship to other modules

Anti-requisite(s): You cannot take this module if you take EC4426

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour lecture and 1 x 1-hour seminar

Scheduled learning hours: 30

Guided independent study hours: 270

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 25% written exam (class test); 75% coursework (3 elements)

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 25%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 75%

Re-assessment: 100% coursework

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr B A Sachs-Cobbe
Module teaching staff: Dr B Sachs , Dr A Douglas, Dr T Cuhadaroglu
Module coordinator email bas7@st-andrews.ac.uk