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Darwinism: Evolution & Revolution (HPSC20001)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2020
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
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The publication of On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin (1859), is regarded as one of the most monumental events in the history of science. At a swoop, Darwin transformed our understanding of the relationship between life and the environment, while at the same time putting forward a solution to "the mystery of mysteries" of how species came into being. His "dangerous idea", of evolution through natural selection, challenged the dominant theological view of creation and ushered in an era where material superseded religious explanations for the existence of life on earth.
This subject explores the Darwinian scientific revolution by getting students to play a game: Charles Darwin, the Copley Medal and the Rise of Scientific Naturalism. The game is set in the Royal Society of London, the most important scientific body in Britain. Every year the Society awarded the Copley Medal to a front-rank scientist for extending the boundaries of scientific knowledge. It was one of the most prestigious awards a man of science could receive! The question was: should Darwin be awarded the Copley? If the Society decided he should, then it could be seen as legitimising his controversial theory; and if it decided against recognising Darwin's work, it might be portrayed as a bastion of conservatism resisting scientific innovation. The stakes were high and the forces of tradition were ranged against those of modernisation. The game enacts this debate and the forces that shaped it.
Students are allocated a specific role, which they research and perform over the semester. Each week a particular topic relating to science, society and Darwinism is discussed and debated in the Royal Society's chambers at Burlington House: the relationship between science and religion; the philosophical foundations of good science; race and slavery; the role of women in science and society; and the extent to which the state (and the Royal Society) should intervene in social affairs.The pro- and anti-Darwinians battle it out for the hearts and minds of undecided members of the Society's Council, culminating in a final session where a vote is taken about whether to award Darwin the Copley or not. Between the first and final meetings, students meet and plot in an effort to achieve their individual victory objectives.
Unlike traditional teaching methods, this model provides students with an active, immersive and fun way of deepening their understanding of one of science's most profound ideas, while developing key research and presentation skills.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of this subject, students should have:
- developed knowledge and understanding of Darwin's theory and its reception in nineteenth-century science and society;
- researched and performed specific roles relating to key players in the transformation of nineteenth-century science
- analysed and synthesised different interpretations of Darwinism's impacts upon science and society;
- developed and presented effective arguments about Darwin and Darwinism;
- improved oral and written communication skills;
- collaborated constructively inside and outside the classroom;
- demonstrated a high level of ethical integrity in written work and classroom activities, including a deep ethical engagement with evolutionary ideas and their impact.
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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Producing persuasive and creative materials (speeches &c.) for Darwin game. Task is equivalent to 1000 words
| From Week 2 to Week 7 | 25% |
Reflection upon participation in the game
| Week 9 | 37.5% |
Critical Essay on Darwinism and the transformation of science
| During the examination period | 37.5% |
Hurdle requirement Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of workshops in order to pass this subject Students must complete allocated game-related tasks 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. | From Week 1 to Week 12 | N/A |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2020
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Driscoll, M., Dunn, E.E., Siems, D. & Kamron Swanson, B., Charles Darwin, The Copley Medal and the Rise of Scientific Naturalism, 1861-1864 (New York: W.W. Norton, 2014).
Other subject readings will be available online.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major History and Philosophy of Science - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor 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.
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