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Breeding Better Humans? A History (HPSC20025)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2023

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Overview

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For at least two hundred years science has explored ways to breed better humans; to make Homo sapiens stronger and healthier. On the face of it, this looks like a Good Thing. Who wouldn’t wish everyone to be the best they can—fit, healthy, and free from disease and its burdens? And, if you could wipe out hereditary conditions, wouldn’t you do it? But the seemingly noble aim of improving the human species has often resulted in malign political programmes targeting vulnerable groups including people with disabilities, people suffering from mental ill-health, and LGBTQI+ people. At its most extreme—the Nazi death camps and settler-colonial dispossession of first nations’ peoples—the desire to “improve” the species has led to genocide. We will explore this disturbing history right up to the present day, unpacking the relationship between science and politics whenever the idea of breeding better humans has been mooted. This subject is entirely online, and is focused upon developing research and communication skills, whilst enhancing your ethical understanding of the world. It will be of interest to students across a wide range of disciplines, from the sciences to the humanities.

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: 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

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Report on Eugenics in Theory and Practice

  • 700 words
Hurdle requirement: For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, the submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. Submitting only part of an assessment (e.g. only the title page) or an assessment on an irrelevant topic will not meet this hurdle requirement. A minimum passing grade must be achieved. 		Week 517.5%

Pitch for Podcast / Video

  • 300 words
Hurdle requirement: For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, the submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. Submitting only part of an assessment (e.g. only the title page) or an assessment on an irrelevant topic will not meet this hurdle requirement. A minimum passing grade must be achieved. 		Week 77.5%

Conversation-style analytical piece on an aspect of Eugenics

  • 1000 words
Hurdle requirement: For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, the submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. Submitting only part of an assessment (e.g. only the title page) or an assessment on an irrelevant topic will not meet this hurdle requirement. A minimum passing grade must be achieved. 		Week 925%

Podcast or YouTube video (script and/or voice/vision)

  • 2000 words
Hurdle requirement: For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, the submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. Submitting only part of an assessment (e.g. only the title page) or an assessment on an irrelevant topic will not meet this hurdle requirement. A minimum passing grade must be achieved. 		During the examination period50%

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 periodN/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

Not available in 2023

Last updated: 27 April 2024

Further information

Last updated: 27 April 2024