Debating Science in Society (HPSC10003) // Assessment

Additional details

Tutorial Paper and Presentation

A 1600 word tutorial paper and presentation which judges what is at issue, weighs the evidence, and argues which case is strongest. Assessment will factor in presentation skills, the ability to structure an argument, the research undertaken, and the quality of the written work. Students address one debate for their tutorial paper and presentation; the debate occurs during the lecture, the presentation occurs during the tutorial on the week of the debate, and the paper is due three days after the presentation.

Tutorial Papers

Students complete two tutorial papers offering constructive criticism of arguments presented in two debates. Each paper must address a different debate, and each paper must address a debate in a different group of debates (Science and the Environment, Science and Technology, Scientific Methods). These papers do not provide an overall assessment of a debate. Rather, these papers offer constructive criticism of specific arguments presented by one side of a debate.

• Paper 1. A 1200 word paper constructively criticising one side of a debate in terms of its weaknesses of omission and/or commission. This paper is due within 7 days of the relevant debate and is due by week 7 of semester. Failure to do so will attract the standard late penalty.
• Paper 2. A 1200 word paper constructively criticising one side of a debate in terms of its weaknesses of omission and/or commission. This paper must address a debate in a different group to paper 1 and is due within 7 days of the relevant debate. Failure to do so will attract the standard late penalty.

Hurdle Requirements