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Eugenics: A Biopolitical History (HPSC20025)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2022
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
Overview
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What happens when biological theory is applied to political, social and cultural realms? The answer, in the case of eugenics, has not been a happy one. Eugenics was a political programme founded upon scientific theories of evolution, inheritance and human reproduction. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, it sought to control who should be allowed to breed in an effort to improve the fitness of "race" and/or nation. It led to the targeting of those deemed to be mentally ill and, at its most extreme, was genocidal in intent (the Nazi attempt to wipe out the Jewish people and settler-colonial actions towards first nations' peoples).
This subject will explore the fraught and disturbing history of eugenics, unpacking its relationship to evolutionary theory and analysing the many realms in which biology was applied to human populations. Areas that will be covered include:
- attempts to encourage or implement selective breeding policies;
- confining and sterilising those diagnosed as "feebleminded";
- biological determination of crime and deviance;
- eugenic attitudes to gender and the creation of a new politics of reproduction;
- Nazi eugenics and genocide;
- the Australian stolen generation; and,
- legacies of eugenics (reparations and current ethical debates about human enhancement and disability).
This subject is entirely online, and is focused upon developing research and communication skills, and enhancing ethical understanding. It will be of interest to students across a wide range of disciplines, from biology to the humanities and social sciences.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- discuss evolutionary theory and its application to political, social and cultural realms;
- analyse, synthesise and effectively use scholarly and other arguments about the relationship between evolutionary science, eugenics and biopower to develop a strong understanding of the subject area;
- demonstrate ethical integrity in written work and classroom activities, including a deep ethical engagement with evolutionary ideas and their eugenic impact;
- develop and and present effective arguments, backed up by convincing evidence, about the impact of evolutionary theory and eugenics to experts and interested non-experts.
Generic skills
- Critical and analytical thinking
- Effective research skills including the use of digital tools
- Creative thinking
- Presentation and communication
- Presentation and communication
- Collaboration
- Active citizenship
- Ethical awareness and alignment of cultural values
Last updated: 31 January 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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Report on Eugenics in Theory and Practice
| Week 5 | 17.5% |
Pitch for Podcast / Video
| Week 7 | 7.5% |
Conversation-style analytical piece on an aspect of Eugenics
| Week 9 | 25% |
Podcast or YouTube video (script and/or voice/vision)
| During the examination period | 50% |
Attendance Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of seminars in order to pass this subject. All pieces of assessment must be submitted 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 working days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2022
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be made available via Canvas
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- 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
- 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.
Last updated: 31 January 2024