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Science and Pseudoscience (HPSC10002)
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 1
Email: gerhardw@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
What is science? What makes an idea or a theory ‘scientific’? For example, why is astronomy considered science, but not astrology? Questions like these matter because of the authority science has in society. We rely on the answers to inform our decisions about what evidence to trust. Questions about what makes something scientific are important in untangling controversy, for example, whether climate change can be attributed to human activities, and whether vaccines can cause autism. The subject introduces the ‘demarcation debate’ – a long-standing debate between philosophers over whether we can ever answer the question of what makes science ‘scientific’. It will introduce different philosophers' attempts at demarcation. And it will look at the way science is demarcated in practice, by scientists themselves and by the public. It investigates demarcation through various case studies ranging from string theory and psychology to acupuncture and climate change scepticism. The subject will introduce students to current approaches in philosophy and sociology of science, and develop new understanding of how science operates.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who have successfully completed the subject will:
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of the difference between scientific and non-scientific knowledge
- Possess a good knowledge of central theories in philosophy and sociology of science
- Have developed an understanding of the role the demarcation problem has in modern society
- Be able to analyse and assess arguments made in the scholarly literature
- Create well-reasoned arguments about the scientific status of a field of knowledge
- Have developed high level research skills, including the ability to extend their knowledge-base beyond subject materials using web-based research tools
- Have developed effective communication and presentation skills (written and oral), and the ability to collaborate constructively within the classroom
- Have developed critical reading skills.
Last updated: 27 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: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Two short written assignments
| During the teaching period | 40% |
Two take home tests, one due mid-semester, the other due towards the end of semester
| During the teaching period | 20% |
An essay
| During the examination period | 40% |
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. | 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: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Gerhard Wiesenfeldt Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 34 hours - 2 x 1-hour lectures each week and 1 x 1-hour tutorial for 11 weeks Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2023 Census date 31 March 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023 Assessment period ends 23 June 2023 Semester 1 contact information
Email: gerhardw@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings will be available online and from the bookshop.
Recommended texts and other resources
- Alan F. Chalmers, What Is this Thing Called Science? 4th edition, St. Lucia: University of Queensland Press, 2013.
- Harry Collins and Trevor Pinch, The Golem: What You Should Know about Science. 2nd edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998.
- Massimo Pigliucci, Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2010.
- 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 (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: 27 April 2024