Handbook home
Electricity: An Experimental History (HPSC20022)
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: gerhardw@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
The subject will combine an introduction to electrical theory and its past with a cultural history of Europe from 1750 to 1850. Students will learn about this by by studying and performing historical experiments from the eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Many of these experiments were designed as public spectacle for the entertainment of enlightened audiences. They also produced problems in understanding what electricity was and they became centres of debates about the role of science in enlightened societies.
Around 1700, electrical phenomena were considered to be marginal curiosities hardly worth studying; by 1850 electricity stood at the centre of modern science and its industrial applications. In between electricity became closely associated with enlightenment ideas, American independence, the French Revolution, the romantic fantasies about Dr Frankenstein and the industrial revolution. The subject will use the historical experiments and their replication in the classroom as a means to trace these connections and to learn about electricity in an unconventional way.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- Possess a broad knowledge and understanding of the history of modern science;
- Possess a deep knowledge of the history of electricity;
- Create sustained and critical arguments using experimental data and implement the consequences of their arguments in the design of new experiments;
- Develop an awareness of the relationship between electrodynamics and its history;
- Understand the complex relationship between theory formation and its historical context;
- Possess 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.
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 1000 word literature review, due Week 4, 8 or 12 (depending on the topic selected by the student)* (25%)
- A 1400 word written report on experiments, due Week 4, 8 or 12 (depending on the topic selected by the student)* (35%)
- A 1600 research essay, due during the end of semester examination period (40%)
*Students will not be permitted to complete both assessments on the same topic.
Hurdle Requirements:
- Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Regular participation in the seminar is required.
- All pieces of written work must be submitted 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.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Gerhard Wiesenfeldt Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours - One 3 hour seminar each week for 12 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: gerhardw@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
It is recommended that students enrolling in this subject have completed 12.5 points of HPS subjects at level 1 or level 2, but this is not a requirement.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be made 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: 27 April 2024