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Science in Action (HPSC30035)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
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.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Email: kcam@unimelb.edu.au
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
We are often told modern science rests on two central pillars – observation and theory. But science involves more than just observing and theorizing. It encompasses a host of other activities, from drawing diagrams to building models to running computer simulations. Moreover, observation itself is a complex and messy business, which often involves a certain amount of theorizing and technical skill and varies greatly across different fields. The astronomer who makes telescopic observations of the night sky practices a very different craft to the ecologist who studies the behavior of primates in their natural habitat. A molecular biologist who studies a new strain of virus using an electron microscope engages in a different form of observation to an archaeologist who inspects an excavation site to find clues to a lost civilization. In this subject, we go beyond simple labels such as ‘observation’ and ‘theory’ in exploring the recent “turn to practice” in the history and philosophy of science. By reframing traditional questions in terms of ‘what scientists do’ rather than ‘what scientists believe’, students will gain a deeper understanding of how different forms of inquiry involving the hand, the mind and the eye actually generate scientific knowledge.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- become familiar with a range of different historical, philosophical, and sociological approaches to understanding the process of scientific inquiry;
- develop an appreciation of the social, historical and cultural contexts which shape the construction of scientific knowledge;
- develop the ability to engage in critical analysis of texts, through synthesizing and distinguishing between, a variety of arguments and ideas;
- gain the necessary critical acumen and relevant knowledge to be able to engage confidently and intelligently in contemporary debates in the history and philosophy of science;
- develop an ability to conduct independent critical research at third year level.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
This is the Capstone subject and only available to students in the major of History and Philosophy of Science or Knowledge and Learning minor within Bachelor of Arts or in the History and Philosophy of Science specialisation in Graduate Diploma in Arts/Graduate Certificate in Arts. It is not available to students in other minors or as breadth.
Bachelor of Arts students in the HPS major are required to completed the Level One requirements before enrolling into this subject.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Bachelor of Arts students are expected that have completed the Level Two requirements for the major and completing the final year of the degree.
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: 27 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 |
---|---|---|
Essay
| Week 8 | 50% |
Essay
| End of semester | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of seminars in order to pass this subject. Students must lead the seminar at least once during the semester, by addressing a question relating to the readings set for that week. 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 2 to Week 12 | N/A |
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
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 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Email: kcam@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings will be available online
- Subject notes
This capstone subject is compulsory and only available to students undertaking a major in History and Philosophy of Science. It is not available in the minor or as breadth. It is expected that students will have completed all required level 1 and level 2 subjects before enrolling in the capstone.
Bachelor of Arts students should endeavour to take the capstone subject in their final semester of study after completion of 25 pts of 3rd year. See the Handbook Bachelor of Arts entry for each Discipline's requirements.
Enrolment in the Bachelor of Arts is required.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major History and Philosophy of Science Minor Knowledge and Learning - 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 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: 27 April 2024