Call for Syllabi | PSA International Syllabus Repository and Prize

“Teaching Philosophy of Science in the World”
PSA International Syllabus Repository and Prize

The Philosophy of Science Association invites submissions of course syllabi that showcase effective and creative teaching of the philosophy of science that reaches beyond the mainstream. We are seeking to build a library of new ideas and good practices from around the world that will help those who are trying to internationalize the subject and introduce it to new audiences. All submissions that meet the eligibility criteria below will be made available on the syllabus repository that can be accessed freely via the PSA website.

Any member of the PSA based anywhere in the world may make a submission. Non-members wishing to participate are encouraged to apply for membership, through the PSA’s Sponsor-a-Scholar program if they cannot afford the membership fee. We welcome not only the traditional type of syllabi specifying a schedule of lectures or discussion sessions and reading lists, but also descriptions of innovative learning activities that do not fit the usual notion of “course.” Teaching plans at any level from secondary school to PhD programs are eligible. Entries must refer to courses or other activities that have already run at least once; revised versions of entries submitted in previous rounds are also eligible. They can be in any language (or mix of languages), but for an entry that is not in English, please submit an English translation alongside the original version. Submissions will be reviewed by the PSA International Relations Committee, consulting appropriate external experts as needed.

Innovations to the conventional philosophy of science displayed in the entries may include:

 Application of insights from various non-Anglophone or non-analytic traditions of philosophy to Anglophone analytic philosophy of science;

 Adaptation of traditional issues in the philosophy of science to the sensibilities and conditions of the countries and communities in which the course is taught;

 Selection (or creation) of teaching materials (print or online) with the same purpose;

 Comparative study or synthesis of traditions of philosophy of science from different parts of the world, or from different languages, cultures, or religions;

 Critical examination of the legacies of colonialism and other aspects of international and intercultural politics in the philosophy of science;

 Philosophical examination of interactions between European-origin science (and technology and medicine) and non-European traditions of knowledge;

 Productive combination of sources in multiple languages.

In addition to the syllabus, please submit a brief description of up to 500 words, explaining the nature of the course or other learning activity and highlighting the innovations made in it.

All entries will be considered for an annual prize to be awarded at the biennial PSA conference or at a separate online event, where the prize-winner(s) will be invited to discuss the content of the winning entry. The prize will also carry a cash award of USD 500.

Entries may be submitted at any time to the Chair of the PSA International Relations Committee, Prof. Hasok Chang, University of Cambridge, by e-mail to hc372@cam.ac.uk. The deadline for submission of syllabi to be considered for the 2024 prize is 15 September 2024. Entries submitted after that date will be considered for the 2025 competition.