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Darwinism: History of a Very Big Idea (HPSC20001)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 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: jbradley@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
What happens when biology, in the form of Darwin’s theory of evolution, is applied to politics, philosophy, theology or society in general? We know some of the answers: they range from disasters like eugenics and NAZI genocide, through to an ongoing war between science and religion. Some radical followers of Darwin have even insisted that evolutionary theory can explain everything about human existence. Darwin’s theory of evolution through natural selection (with its corollary of descent from a common ancestor) is a foundational pillar of modern biology and has, for good and ill, been widely adopted, adapted and applied outside of scientific circles. In looking at this, we follow Darwin as he develops his dangerous idea and then explore how people tried to apply it to society. Weekly themes include: whether Darwin killed God; Darwinism, social Darwinism and Eugenics; the connections between evolutionary theory and the NAZIs; the shaping of our understanding of sex and gender through Darwinism; and how Darwin transformed our conception of human nature, especially our relationship with other animals. Students taking this subject come away with a profound understanding of the Darwinian inheritance; an inheritance which has not only allowed the human species to prise open the secrets of nature, but has also transformed the world itself.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, students will:
- demonstrate a wide knowledge of Darwin and Darwinism, including the scientific, social and cultural reach of evolutionary ideas;
- synthesise, analyse and assess academic and other arguments about Darwin and Darwinism, and contextualise these arguments within the broader realms of the history and philosophy of science;
- create effective arguments, backed up by convincing evidence, about the impact of Darwin and Darwinism upon science, society and culture;
- develop high level research skills, including the ability to extend you knowledge-base beyond subject materials using web-based search tools;
- express effective arguments about the importance of Darwin and Darwinism both to experts and interested non-experts;
- develop effective communication and presentation skills (written and oral), and the ability to collaborate constructively within the classroom;
- demonstrate ethical integrity in written work and classroom activities, including a deep ethical engagement with evolutionary ideas and their impact.
Last updated: 11 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: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- Analysis of Darwin’s Delay due (500 words) due 1st week of Sepetember (12.5%)
- Poster (equivalent to 800 words) due last workshop of semester (20%)
- Critical Reflection upon the Poster (1200 words) due in the first week of the end of semester examination period (30%)
- Review Essay (1500 words) due at the beginning of the last week of the examination period (37.5%)
Hurdle requirement:
- Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject.
- Students must complete 100% of short quizzes on lecture content
- 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: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator James Bradley Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 34 hours - 1 x 1 hour online lecture per week; 11 x 1hr Lectorials in weeks 2-12 and 11 x 1 hr tutorials in weeks 2-12 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: jbradley@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 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.
Last updated: 11 April 2024