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Science and Pseudoscience (HPSC10002)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 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 1
Email: gerhardw@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
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Is there a good way to decide which ideas, theories and practices belong to science and which do not? The so-called demarcation problem is a central issue in the philosophy of science. It is an issue that is much more than an academic debate, as modern societies rely on science, in daily lives as well as in polical decision making: Which kind of evidence should we trust and which kind of research should we spend money on? Should we discard knowledge that does not fulfil the standards of science? Does a demarcation between scientific and non-scientific knowledge say anything about the truth of both kinds of knowledge?
This subject will provide an introduction to the philosophical debate of the demarcation problem, but also study the way science is demarcated in practice - both within science and in the wider public. We will do so by looking at various case studies, ranging from Darwinian evolution and string theory to acupuncture and climate change skepticism.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who have successfully completed the subject will:
- demonstrate a deep understanding of the difference between scientific and non-scientific knowledge;
- possess a good knowledge of central theories in philosophy and sociology of science;
- have developed an understanding of the role the demarcation problem has in modern society;
- be able to analyse and assess arguments made in the scholarly literature;
- create well reasoned arguments about the scientific status of a field of knowledge;
- have developed high level research skills, including the ability to extend their knowledge-base beyond subject materials using web-based research tools;
- have developed effective communication and presentation skills (written and oral), and the ability to collaborate constructively within the classroom;
- have developed critical reading skills.
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
- Two short written assignments total of 1600 words, to be submitted during the semester (40%)
- Two take home tests 400 words each, due week 6 and week 11 (20%)
- An essay of 1600 words, due in the end of semester examination period (40%)
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 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 1
Principal coordinator Gerhard Wiesenfeldt Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 34 hours - 2 x 1-hour lectures each week and 1 x 1-hour tutorial for 11 weeks Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 4 March 2019 to 2 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 15 March 2019 Census date 31 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 May 2019 Assessment period ends 28 June 2019 Semester 1 contact information
Email: gerhardw@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings will be available online and from the bookshop.
Recommended texts and other resources
- Alan F. Chalmers, What Is this Thing Called Science? 4th edition, St. Lucia: University of Queensland Press, 2013.
- Harry Collins and Trevor Pinch, The Golem: What You Should Know about Science. 2nd edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998.
- Massimo Pigliucci, Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2010.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Minor Knowledge and Learning Major 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.
- 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: 11 April 2024