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From Plato to Einstein (HPSC10001)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Email: kcam@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
In this subject, we embark on a fascinating journey through the history of Western science, exploring changing ideas about the physical world beginning with the birth of natural philosophy in ancient Greece in the sixth century BC until the present day. The subject traces the dominance of Aristotle’s cosmology in the ancient and medieval world, and its subsequent demise during the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. We then turn our attention to the emergence of a quantitative and experimental scientific culture that gradually took shape during the Enlightenment, before concluding with a brief look at Albert Einstein’s revolutionary new ideas of light and gravity. We cover topics such as Renaissance humanism, different theories of matter from the middle ages to the nineteenth century; the shift from the earth-centred to the sun-centred universe; Isaac Newton’s influence on the science of the eighteenth century; the search for the unity of forces in nature; and different explanations of the nature of gravity throughout history. This subject offers students a wide-ranging introduction to the history of science and a deeper appreciation of the way in which it has been shaped by social, political and cultural movements.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- develop a broad understanding of the major conceptual shifts that occurred in the history of physical thought;
- develop an appreciation of the way in which wider intellectual and cultural movements shaped knowledge of the physical world in different historical eras;
- acquire an understanding of the different forms of explanation and modes of inquiry in the physical sciences;
- develop and awareness of the difficulties in understanding the thoughts and attitudes of people historically remote from us;
- acquire skills in writing clear, coherent and persuasive analyses of ambiguous and difficult issues;
- acquire skills in comprehending the meaning and historical significance of texts.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- A 600 word written assignment, due in week 5 (15%)
- An 800 word assignment, due in week 9 (20%)
- A 600 word assignment, due in week 12 (15%)
- A 2000 word essay, due in the end of semester examination period (50%)
Hurdle requirement:
- Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject.
- All pieces of written work must be submitted in order to pass this subject.
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. After five working days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Regular participation in tutorials is required.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Kristian Camilleri Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 35 hours - 2 x1 hour lectures each week and 1 x 1-hour tutorial for 11 weeks Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Email: kcam@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings will be available online
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts - History and Philosophy of Science Major History and Philosophy of Science Informal specialisation Graduate Certificate in Arts - History and Philosophy of Science - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 27 April 2024