Handbook home
The Dynamics of Scientific Change (HPSC30035)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
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
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Over the course of history, science has undergone a series of significant, and sometimes quite dramatic, changes. Some of these, like the shift from an earth‐centred to a sun‐centred planetary system, have been labelled as ‘scientific revolutions’, while others, like the discovery of the element argon were by comparison less spectacular. But how do such changes occur? In this subject we examine the dynamics of scientific change, by focusing on four key questions:
- How is scientific knowledge shaped by the wider social, political and cultural context?
- To what extent is scientific discovery a sociological process?
- How are new scientific disciplines formed?
- How do scientific concepts, theories, goals and methods evolve over time?
To address these questions, each week we will examine a different historical episode. We begin in the sixteenth century with Copernicus’ radical heliocentric model of the universe, and work our way through a series of case studies, culminating with the dramatic change that have taken place in recent decades with the emergence of interdisciplinary research. Students taking this subject will acquire a deeper understanding of the historical conditions under which new forms of knowledge come into being.
Intended learning outcomes
- Apply a range of different historical, philosophical, and sociological approaches to understanding the drivers of scientific change
- Demonstrate an understanding of the social, historical and cultural contexts which shape the historical development of scientific knowledge;
- Engage in critical analysis of texts, through synthesizing and distinguishing between, a variety of arguments and ideas;
- Engage confidently and intelligently in contemporary debates in the history and philosophy of science;
- Conduct independent critical research at third year level.
Last updated: 11 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, except students in the Bachelor of Science, who are taking the equivalent of a major in History and Philosophy of Science by special arrangement with the Science Faculty.
Bachelor of Arts students in the HPS major are required to complete the Level Two requirements before enrolling into this subject.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Bachelor of Arts students are required to complete the Level Two requirements for the HPS major and be 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: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Mini-paper
| Week 3-5 (depending on choice of topic) | 15% |
Mini-paper
| Week 6-9 (depending on choice of topic) | 15% |
Mini-paper
| Week 10-12 (depending on choice of topic) | 15% |
Final essay
| During the examination period | 55% |
Hurdle requirement: Students must participate in 80% of lectorials and seminars to pass the subject. Students must satisfactorily complete all pieces of assessment to pass the 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 2 to Week 12 | N/A |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Kristian Camilleri Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours The subject will be taught as a one-hour lectorial/reading lab early in the week, followed by a 2-hour seminar later in the week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 July 2021 to 24 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 6 August 2021 Census date 31 August 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 September 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021 Semester 2 contact information
Email: kcam@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 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 Minor Knowledge and Learning 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 (Production)
- 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: 11 April 2024