Interdisciplinary Studies of Science

The "Interdisciplinary Studies of Science (ISoS)" Master's programme at Bielefeld University offers a course of study that aims to bring out essential characteristics of science. The objective is to analyse the ways in which science produces knowledge, the institutional framework and economic structure of science, and the ways in which science is part of a changing social context both in the past and at present. This analysis requires linking various disciplinary perspectives. The sociology of science analyses the interrelations between science and its societal context. The philosophy of science focuses on the epistemic aspects of justifying knowledge claims and cognitive rationality. It puts special emphasis on the ethical aspect of responsibility. The history of science traces the historical development of science in its continuities and ruptures and analyses the ways in which this is significant to the economy and society. These disciplinary approaches complement each other, and together, they contribute to a better understanding of science.