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Debating Science in Society (HPSC20024)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Email: fidlerfm@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
The university is not just a place to learn facts, it is also a place of argument, where ideas are contested. In this subject students will attend debates conducted by academics arguing about some of the most important issues in contemporary science and society. The subject places scientific debate in the context of current social and cultural issues, and illustrates how current social and cultural thinking is shaped by scientific controversy. Each week we will take up a contentious issue, and students will hear a lecture clearly arguing for one position, followed by a lecture clearly arguing for a different position. In each case your lecturers will do their best to persuade you of their position. The challenge for students in the tutorials and assessment tasks is to judge what is at issue, weigh the evidence, and determine which case is strongest.
Weekly debates will be selected from among the following controversial propositions:
1. Genetically modified crops are the only way to feed the masses.
2. Nuclear fuel is the future of energy production.
3. Science and technology is the path to utopia.
4. Humans will become Post-human.
5. The scientific method is the only way to truly know.
6. Catastrophic climate change can be averted.
7. There is a physical explanation for everything that exists and everything that happens.
8. Digital media is making us stupid.
9. A machine more intelligent than you will exist in your lifetime.
10. Our history is fundamentally shaped by science and technology.
11. This has been a waste of time: controversies cannot be resolved through rational debate.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the epistemological, methodological and empirical foundations upon which opinions differ on important issues in science and technology
- Demonstrate the capacity to critically weigh contrasting evidence and argument presented in the debates and to reach defensible and persuasive conclusions as to the persuasiveness of the positions put based on evidence and logic
- Further develop skills in clear, coherent and persuasive written work
- Acquire skills in clear, coherent and persuasive oral presentation
Generic skills
- Develop the clear thinking skills required to assess the validity of an argument.
- Develop effective written and oral communication and presentation skills.
- Extend their capacity to read effectively and to conduct wider research.
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 |
---|---|---|
Tutorial Presentation and Essay: Choose one of the 11 debates for a critical analysis presentation and paper
| From Week 3 to Week 12 | 40% |
Error of Omission Essay: Identify, analyse and critique an error of omission in one of the debater's arguments
| From Week 3 to Week 12 | 30% |
Error of Commission Essay: Identify, analyse and critique an error of commission in one of the debater's arguments
| From Week 3 to Week 12 | 30% |
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Additional details
Tutorial Paper and Presentation
A 1600 word tutorial paper and presentation which judges what is at issue, weighs the evidence, and argues which case is strongest. Assessment will factor in presentation skills, the ability to structure an argument, the research undertaken, and the quality of the written work. Students address one debate for their tutorial paper and presentation; the debate occurs during the lecture, the presentation occurs during the tutorial on the week of the debate, and the paper is due three days after the presentation.
Tutorial Papers
Students complete two tutorial papers offering constructive criticism of arguments presented in two debates. Each paper must address a different debate, and each paper must address a debate in a different group of debates (Science and the Environment, Science and Technology, Scientific Methods). These papers do not provide an overall assessment of a debate. Rather, these papers offer constructive criticism of specific arguments presented by one side of a debate.
Paper 1. A 1200 word paper constructively criticising one side of a debate in terms of its weaknesses of omission and/or commission. This paper is due within 7 days of the relevant debate and is due by week 7 of semester. Failure to do so will attract the standard late penalty.
Paper 2. A 1200 word paper constructively criticising one side of a debate in terms of its weaknesses of omission and/or commission. This paper must address a debate in a different group to paper 1 and is due within 7 days of the relevant debate. Failure to do so will attract the standard late penalty.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Fiona Fidler Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 34 hours - A 1 hour lecture in week 1, followed by 2 x 1 hour lectures and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week in weeks 2-12 Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 Semester 2 contact information
Email: fidlerfm@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings for each week’s topics will be made available on Canvas before the beginning of the semester.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) History and Philosophy of Science 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 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
- 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