1. Handbook
  2. Subjects
  3. Sociology of Science and Technology

Sociology of Science and Technology (HPSC40017)

HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2017 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks
You’re currently viewing the 2017 version of this subject

Overview

Availability
Semester 2
FeesLook up fees

This subject begins with a sustained engagement with classic texts in the sociology of science and technology, such as works by Merton, Schaffer, Collins, Bloor, Barnes and Kuhn. We follow this with the emergence of a series of radical proposals challenging the classics, including work by Latour, Haraway and Suchman. In the second part of the semester students will have the opportunity to apply their understanding of these contested ideas to a research project of their own choosing.

Intended learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this subject should:



  • have become familiar with the historical development of conceptual aspects sociology of science and technology;
  • have developed capacities of analytic reading;
  • have strengthened their abilities in synthesising arguments;
  • have developed academic writing skills.

Generic skills

Students who successfully complete this subject will

  • develop skills in written communication.
  • Analyse complex texts
  • conduct independent research.
  • make appropriate use of primary and secondary sources in mounting an argument.
  • develop skills in synthesizing and analysing literature relevant to a specific discipline or topic
  • form defensible judgements based on a critical evaluation of conflicting arguments.

Last updated: 3 November 2022