701-0016-00L Philosophical Issues in Understanding Global Change
| Semester | Spring Semester 2018 |
| Lecturers | C. J. Baumberger, R. Knutti |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Comment | Number of participants limited to 9. Priority is given to D-ERDW Master in Atmospheric and Climate Science or doctoral students and D-USYS Master's and doctoral students. |
Courses
| Number | Title | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 701-0016-00 S | Philosophical Issues in Understanding Global Change This seminar is offered at the ETH Zurich and the University of Bern. There are four seminar sessions, each lasting 4 hours, from 13:45 to 17:15. The sessions in Bern (BHF Soz. Arbeit, Raum 310, Hallerstrasse 10) take place on 9.3. and 4.5. The sessions in Zürich (CHN P 12, Universitätstrasse 12) take place on 13.4. and 25.5. | 1 hrs |
| C. J. Baumberger, R. Knutti |
Catalogue data
| Abstract | This course investigates the potentials and limitations of models and computer simulations that aim at understanding global change. We also discuss the limitations of observations and the role that results from models and computer simulations may take in decision making on policies for sustainable development. |
| Learning objective | Students learn to reflect on concepts, methods, arguments and knowledge claims based upon computer simulations by critically analysing and assessing topical and recent research papers from philosophy and the sciences. |
| Content | Global change is not just a major real-world problem, but also a challenge for the natural and social sciences. The challenge is due to the spatial and temporal scales considered, the diversity, complexity and variability of aspects involved, and, last but not least, the pragmatic and normative questions raised by global change. This course investigates the potentials and limits of research methods such as modelling for understanding global change with a focus on climate change. We also discuss the role of results from modelling and computer simulations in decision making on policies for sustainable development. In the seminar, topics such as the following are discussed: (1) What is a model? What are purposes and potential pitfalls of models? What are the basic steps of modelling? (2) What are computer simulations and what is their relation to models? How do we learn about the real world by running computer simulations? How do computer simulations differ from classical experiments? (3) What do data tell us about the problem we are investigating? What are the difficulties in assessing and interpreting data? (4) What is the role of results from modelling and computer simulation in decision making on policies for sustainable development? What are the consequences of model uncertainties for policy making? |
| Lecture notes | A set of papers from philosophy and from science to be discussed and a guide to analyzing texts are provided. |
| Literature | The papers to be discussed in the seminar sessions and guidelines about the analysis of texts are provided. |
| Prerequisites / Notice | This seminar is offered at the ETH and the University of Bern. There are four seminar sessions, each lasting 4 hours. The sessions take place from 13:45 to 17:15. The places alternate between Zurich and Berne in the following way 09.03. Berne, BHF Soz. Arbeit, Raum 310, Hallerstrasse 10 13.04. Zurich, CHN P12 Universitätstrasse 16 04.05. Berne, BHF Soz. Arbeit, Raum 310, Hallerstrasse 10 25.05. Zurich, CHN P12 Universitätstrasse 16 In the first meeting, participants are introduced to methods on how to read a philosophical paper. For each meeting, every participant answers a couple of questions about one of the papers scheduled for discussion. The preparation for each session will take about 5 hours. Answers have to be sent to the lecturers before the seminar takes place and provide a basis for the discussion. All students that have subscribed will get the questions and texts for the first meeting by email. Seminar discussions are chaired jointly by lecturers from philosophy and from science. Interest in interdisciplinary reading and discussion is a prerequisite. The number of participants is limited to 18, viz. 9 from the University of Bern and 9 from ETH Zurich. Requirements for 2 CP: (1) Answer the questions about one paper before the meetings and read another paper (4 times), (2) Write a short essay of about 2-3 pages about a topic discussed in our meetings. This essay should be delivered until 3 weeks after the end of the spring semester. Master or PhD students of D-USYS or students of Atmosph. + Climate Science MSc have priority. |
Performance assessment
| Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again) | |
Performance assessment as a semester course | |
| ECTS credits | 2 credits |
| Examiners | C. J. Baumberger, R. Knutti |
| Type | ungraded semester performance |
| Language of examination | English |
| Repetition | Repetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit. |
Learning materials
| No public learning materials available. | |
| Only public learning materials are listed. |
Groups
| No information on groups available. |
Restrictions
| Places | 9 at the most |
| Priority | Registration for the course unit is until 22.02.2018 only possible for the primary target group |
| Primary target group | Atmospheric and Climate Science MSc (661000)
Doctorate Earth and Planetary Sciences (664002) Environmental Sciences MSc (736000) Doctorate Environmental Sciences (739002) |
| Waiting list | until 14.03.2018 |
Offered in
| Programme | Section | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Sciences Master | Minor in Global Change and Sustainability | W |  |
| Environmental Sciences Master | Policy Engagement | W | |
| Environmental Sciences Master | Electives | W | |