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From Plato to Einstein (HPSC10001)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
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 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
In this subject, we embark on a fascinating journey through the history of science, with a particular focus on how ideas about the nature of physical reality have changed over time. We begin the story with the birth of philosophy in ancient Greece in the sixth century BC and end in the twentieth century with Einstein’s revolutionary theory of gravity. Along the way, we will examine the enormous influence of Aristotle’s philosophy on Western thought, the revival of magic in the Renaissance, and the emergence of a new mathematical understanding of nature. Here we pay particular attention to the shift that took place in European thought in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, which saw the acceptance of the idea that the earth is a planet revolving around the sun.
Students taking this subject will be introduced to the way in which philosophical and cultural movements, changing social and economic conditions, and new inventions all played a crucial role in shaping the development of modern science and our basic concepts of matter, force and energy. This subject provides a deeper understanding of the way in which the history of science has been shaped by wider social and intellectual contexts.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- Develop a broad understanding of the major conceptual shifts that occurred in the history of physical thought
- Develop an appreciation of the way in which wider intellectual and cultural movements shaped knowledge of the physical world in different historical eras
- Acquire an understanding of the different forms of explanation and modes of inquiry in the physical sciences
- Develop and awareness of the difficulties in understanding the thoughts and attitudes of people historically remote from us
- Acquire skills in writing clear, coherent and persuasive analyses of ambiguous and difficult issues
- Acquire skills in comprehending the meaning and historical significance of texts.
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
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A written assignment
| Week 5 | 15% |
An assignment
| Week 9 | 20% |
An assignment
| Week 12 | 15% |
An essay
| During the examination period | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted in order to pass this subject. Regular participation in tutorials is required. | 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: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Kristian Camilleri Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 35 hours - 2 x1 hour lectures each week and 1 x 1-hour tutorial for 11 weeks Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023 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
- 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 (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 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