History and Philosophy of Science (B-ARTS_MAJOR_18)

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Overview

The aim of History and Philosophy of Science is to understand science: how it works, its historical development and its function in modern society. History and Philosophy of Science integrates philosophical, historical and sociological approaches to the study of science. It thus provides students with an insight into scientific methods and objectives without actually having to do science. Students will gain analytical skills in evaluating scientific (and non-scientific) knowledge as well as a broad understanding of the historical development of science in its interactions with philosophy, religion and society.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this major, students will be able to:

possess a broad knowledge and understanding of the discipline and will be able to identify, understand and synthesise the major theoretical, philosophical, sociological and historiographical themes in HPS; and
possess a deep knowledge of one of the following areas: history of science; philosophy of science; sociology of science or technology; and
create sustained and critical arguments using appropriate knowledge and methods, culminating in independent and self-directed research; and
develop an awareness of the relationship between HPS and other disciplines, especially the sciences; and
demonstrate integrity and ethical awareness in all aspects of the programme’s learning activities; and
apply HPS knowledge to real-world practice, including the development of policy and the provision of informed comment about science, society and technology; and
develop a wide range of life skills including: life-long learning; excellent communication; effective collaboration in small and large groups; and a high-level of organization; and
reflect upon their own (individual) relationship with science and society.

Last updated: 2 February 2021

Structure

100 credit points

History and Philosophy of Science is available as a 100 point major and a 75 point minor in the BA, comprising two level one subjects, one sequence of level 2 and 3 subjects and one or two subjects from the list of elective subjects.

Major

Level 1

25 points comprising of the following:

One Arts Foundation Subject: MULT10016 Reason is recommended but not required, and
One of HPSC10001 From Plato to Einstein, HPSC10002 Science and Pseudoscience, or HPSC10003 Debating Science in Society

Level 2

37.5 points of level two HPS subjects

Level 3

37.5 points of level three HPS subjects including the capstone subject: HPSC30035 Scientific Practice and Human Inquiry

Total 100 points

Minor

Level 1

25 points comprising of the following:

One Arts Foundation Subject: MULT10016 Reason is recommended but not required, and
One of HPSC10001 From Plato to Einstein, HPSC10002 Science and Pseudoscience, or HPSC10003 Debating Science in Society

Level 2

25 points of level two HPS subjects

Level 3

25 points of level three HPS subjects

Total 75 points

Students are recommended to take one of the following subject sequences within their major or minor:

Methodological Approaches to History and Philosophy of Science
PHIL20001 Science Reason and Reality (level 2)
HPSC30023 Science and Society (Level 3)
HPSC30034 Magic, Reason, New Worlds, 1450-1750 (Level 3)
HPSC30035 Scientific Practice and Human Inquiry (Level 3)
History of Science
HPSC20015 Astronomy in World History (Level 2)
HPSC20001 Darwinism: history of a very big idea (Level 2)
HPSC20022 Electricity: An Experimental History (Level 2)
Science, Technology and Society
HPSC10003 Debating Science in Society (Level 1)
HPSC20009 Technology and Contemporary Life (Level 2)
HPSC30023 Science and Society (Level 3)
Life Sciences
HPSC20002 A History of Nature (Level 2)
HPSC20001 Darwinism: History of a very big idea (Level 2)
Minds, Belief and History
HPSC20015 Astronomy in World History (Level 2)
HPSC20020 God and the Natural Sciences (Level 2)
HPSC30019 Minds and Madness (Level 3)
HPSC30036 Forensic Science & the Law: a case study (Level 3)
HPSC30034 Magic, Reason, New Worlds, 1450- 1750 (Level 3)
Philosophy of Science
PHIL20001 Science, Reason and Reality (Level 2)
HPSC20020 God and the Natural Sciences (Level 2)
HPSC30035 Scientific Practice and Human Inquiry (Level 3)

In addition to a sequence, students completing a major must also complete two electives and students completing a minor one elective from the list below.

Subject Options

Level 1 Subjects

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
HPSC10002	Science and Pseudoscience	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC10001	From Plato to Einstein	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC10003	Debating Science in Society	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5

Level 2 Subjects

See recommended sequences above.

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
HPSC20015	Astronomy in World History	Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC20002	A History of Nature	Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC20009	Technology & Contemporary Life	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC20020	God and the Natural Sciences	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC20001	Darwinism: Evolution & Revolution	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
PHIL20001	Science, Reason and Reality	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC20022	Electricity: An Experimental History	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5

Level 3 Subjects

See recommended sequences above.

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
HPSC30023	Science and Society	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC30034	Magic, Reason, New Worlds, 1450-1750	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC30036	Forensic Science & the Law: A Case Study	July (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC30019	Minds and Madness	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5

Level 3 Capstone Subject

The capstone subject is compulsory for students completing a major.

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
HPSC30035	Scientific Practice and Human Inquiry	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5

Level 2 Elective Subjects

Students completing a major are required to complete two electives at either level two or level three. Students completing a minor must complete one elective, at either level two or level three.

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
HPSC20015	Astronomy in World History	Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC20002	A History of Nature	Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC20009	Technology & Contemporary Life	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC20020	God and the Natural Sciences	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
PHIL20033	The Philosophy of Mind	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC20001	Darwinism: Evolution & Revolution	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC20022	Electricity: An Experimental History	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
PHIL20001	Science, Reason and Reality	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
PHIL20030	Meaning, Possibility and Paradox	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC20023	Sex in Science	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5

Level 3 Elective Subjects

Students completing a major are required to complete two electives at either level two or level three. Students completing a minor must complete one elective, at either level two or level three.

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
HPSC30023	Science and Society	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC30034	Magic, Reason, New Worlds, 1450-1750	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
PHIL30016	Knowledge and Reality	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
PHIL30043	The Power and Limits of Logic	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC30036	Forensic Science & the Law: A Case Study	July (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
HPSC30019	Minds and Madness	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
ANCW30004	Beyond Babylon	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
GEND30005	Gender Diversity in the Workplace	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5

Links

http://shaps.unimelb.edu.au/history-philosophy-science