Historical Epistemology (HPSC40016)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Questions about the dynamics of scientific change have long been central to both the history and philosophy of science. Yet historians and philosophers have traditionally had very different aims and different perspectives. On the one hand, historians have tended to see science as a cultural activity embedded within a wider social context, while on the other hand, philosophers have tended to focus on normative questions to do with the nature of knowledge. Yet, over the past two decades, there has been a resurgence of interest in more integrated approaches to HPS, pioneered by scholars like Ian Hacking, Hans-Jörg Rheinberger, Hasok Chang and Lorraine Daston. A new wave of studies, now labelled ‘historical epistemology’, has begun to explore the means by which, and the historical conditions under which, structures of knowledge emerge and take shape over time. This subject examines new directions in historical epistemology and integrated history and philosophy of science. In doing so, we explore some of the major epistemological shifts that occurred in the physical, biological, medical and social sciences during the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. During this period, new ‘objects of knowledge’, new ‘styles of reasoning’ and new ‘modes of objectivity’ came into being.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- possess a critical understanding of some of the major themes in HPS;
- become familiar with a range of different historiographical and philosophical approaches to the understanding of the dynamics of scientific change;
- develop the ability to engage in critical analysis of important texts;
- develop a critical perspective on recent attempts to develop a 'big picture' of the sciences;
- gain the necessary critical acumen and relevant knowledge to be able to engage in contemporary debates in the history and philosophy of science;
- develop an ability to conduct independent critical research at fourth year Honours level.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject will
- develop skills in written communication;
- 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
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: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- A 2000 word essay due in week 7 of semester (40%)
- A 3000 word essay due at the end of semester (60%)
Hurdle requirement:
- Students must attend a minimum of 75% of classes 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: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Kristian Camilleri Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours - 1 x 2 hour seminar each week for 12 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: kcam@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject is for students admitted to fourth year Honours or the Graduate Diploma (advanced) in the discipline of History and the Philosophy of Science
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) History and Philosophy of Science Specialisation (formal) History and Philosophy of Science Specialisation (formal) History and Philosophy of Science Specialisation (formal) History and Philosophy of Science Informal specialisation PD-ARTS History and Philosophy of Science Informal specialisation History and Philosophy of Science - 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 3 November 2022