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Course syllabus - Contributing to and influencing society as a researcher 2,5 credits

Information about the course

  • Course code: FHVV021
  • Host Department: Department of Social Science and Humanities
  • Valid from: Fall semester 2024
  • Established by: Dean of School (until 2025-12-31 after that head of department)
  • Decision date: 2024-01-23
  • Level of education: Third cycle level

Course objective

The course content and the teaching aims to provide an insight into the role of research communication for research and for society, as well as the role and responsibility of the researcher in a polarized world.

Course content

  • Collaboration with the wider society according to the Higher Education Ordinance
  • Research communication in a polarised world.
  • The researcher's obligation of researching and react to societal challenges.
  • Researchers' commissions for civil society, municipalities, regions, authorities, and companies.
  • Media's role and mode of operation as well as considerations in media contacts.
  • Reasons for and consequences of when research becomes political.

The content includes, partly:

  • Assignments for municipalities, regions, public agencies and companies
  • The functions and logics of media as well as considerations when communicating with journalists
  • Reasons for, and consequences of, research becoming political

Intented learning outcomes

After completing the course, the doctoral student should be able to:

  • show ability to identify and analyse possible roles for researchers in research collaborations with actors in civil society, business, and the public sector to meet various societal challenges.

The intended qualitative targets in relation to the Higher Education Ordinance, appendix 2.

Competence and skills

For the Degree of Doctor, the doctoral student shall demonstrate

  • B4: the ability in both national and international contexts to present and discuss research and research findings authoritatively in speech and writing and in dialogue with the academic community and society in general

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Doctor the doctoral student shall demonstrate

  • C2: specialised insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used.

Teaching formats

Lectures and seminars.

Examination

INL 1: Written submission task, 1.5 credits

SEM 1: Seminar, 1 credit

Grade

Examinations included in the course are assessed according to a two-grade scale, fail or pass.

Grades are to be decided by a teacher specially appointed by the university.

A person who has not passed the regular examination shall be given the opportunity to retake the test.

Requirements

To participate in the course and the examinations included in the course, the applicant must be admitted to doctoral studies. Subject to availability, teachers at Mälardalen University that hold a doctorate can be offered to take part of the course.

Selection criteria

Selection of applicants will be made in accordance with the ranking below.

  1. Doctoral students at Mälardalen University
  2. Doctoral students at other higher education institutions
  3. Teachers at Mälardalen University that holds a PhD.