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Science, Reason and Reality (PHIL20001)
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: chs@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject addresses some of the central issues in the philosophy of science. It will raise questions such as: What is the difference between science and non-science? Is there a universal scientific method? Or do the methods employed by scientists vary historically? Is scientific theory change a rational process? Is science objective? Do scientific theories inform us of the truth about the world? Students who take this class will have knowledge of the major themes of recent and contemporary philosophical thinking about science. They will also have experience of the methods of critical analysis and argument employed in the philosophy of science and a background on which to base further study in the area.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- gain a sound general comprehension of the major recent advances in our philosophical understanding of the nature and structure of science;
- understand the roles of experience and reasoning in contributing to this structure;
- display a familiarity with some key texts on which these advances are based;
- have background in the philosophy of science on which to base further research and study in the area;
- have experience with methods of critical analysis and argument employed in the philosophy of science, leading to improved general reasoning and analytical skills.
Last updated: 19 March 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: 19 March 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- A 1500-word essay, due mid-semester (30%)
- A 2500-word essay, due in the examination period (70%)
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 to pass this subject.
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. After five days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 19 March 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Howard Sankey Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 35 hours - 2 x 1-hour lectures each week and 1x 1-hour tutorial 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: chs@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 19 March 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Alan Chalmers, What is this thing called science? (University of Queensland Press)
Martin Curd, J.A. Cover and Christopher Pincock (eds.) Philosophy of Science: The Central Issues (Norton)
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts - History and Philosophy of Science Major Philosophy Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts - Philosophy Minor Knowledge and Learning Major History and Philosophy of Science Major Philosophy Major Informal specialisation Graduate Certificate in Arts - History and Philosophy of Science Informal specialisation Graduate Certificate in Arts - Philosophy - 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: 19 March 2024