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The Dynamics of Scientific Change (HPSC40016)
HonoursPoints: 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 1
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 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
The question of what drives scientific change has been central to the history and philosophy of science ever since Thomas Kuhn’s landmark work The Structure of Scientific Revolutions in 1962. In this subject, we examine recent work by historians, philosophers and sociologists of science on the dynamics of scientific change.
In doing so, we address a series of further questions such as:
- Is there any general historical pattern to the way that science unfolds?
- How do scientific theories, concepts and practices change over time?
- Is scientific change determined by its own ‘internal logic’, or is it shaped by political, social and cultural factors?
- To what extent does technology drive scientific change?
- Are our current scientific theories the product of historically contingent conditions, or are they in some sense inevitable?
To address these questions, we examine a series of historical case studies, including the emergence of statistical reasoning in the social and natural sciences, changing conceptions of the gene, and changing theories in archaeology and evolutionary anthropology in response to feminist critiques. Through these case studies we examine the means by which, and the historical conditions under which, new forms of knowledge come into being.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- 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
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 |
---|---|---|
An essay
| Week 7 | 40% |
An essay
| End of the teaching period | 60% |
All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to pass this subject. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
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 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 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
Prescribed texts
The coordinator will advise students of any required 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 - 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.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- 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: 3 November 2022