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Science, Philosophy and Society (HPSC10002)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 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 1
Email: kate.lynch@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
What is science? What makes knowledge ‘scientific’? And what roles does scientific knowledge have in our society? This subject discusses the nature of science and its function in the modern world. We rely on the results of scientific research, but we also face controversies about the legitimacy of statements made with the claim of scientific expertise, for example, whether climate change can be attributed to human activities, and whether vaccines can cause autism. We will study how philosophers of science have characterised the nature of science and how they attempted to demarcate it from other forms of human activity. We will look at the way science is demarcated in practice, by scientists themselves and by the public. We will look at 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 in order to gain a better understanding of how science operates.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who have successfully completed the subject should be able to:
- 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
- Be able to evaluate scientific evidence using philosophical concepts and theories.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should:
- Be able to analyse and assess arguments made in the scholarly literature
- 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 written presentation skills, and the ability to collaborate constructively within the classroom
- Have developed critical reading skills.
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 |
---|---|---|
Two short written assignments
| During the teaching period | 35% |
A take-home test
| Before mid-semester | 10% |
An essay plan with annotated bibliography
| End of the teaching period | 15% |
An essay
| During the examination period | 40% |
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 |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Kate Lynch Coordinator Gerhard Wiesenfeldt Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours : A 1-hour lecture twice per week for 12 weeks and a 1-hour tutorial every week for 12 weeks Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Email: kate.lynch@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: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings will be available online.
Recommended texts and other resources
- Peter Godfrey Smith, Theory and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003.
- 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.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Minor Knowledge and Learning minor 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