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The Dynamics of Scientific Change (HPSC30035)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 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: kcam@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
The question of how scientific theories, concepts and practices change over time has long been at the heart of the history and philosophy of science. Ever since Thomas Kuhn’s landmark work, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, was published in 1962, historians, philosophers and sociologists of science have engaged in a lively debate over this question. While philosophers have typically sought to understand science as unfolding according to its own epistemic norms and internal logic, historians have tended to focus more on the social and cultural context under which new forms of inquiry and new structures of knowledge emerge.
Beginning with Kuhn’s much debated notion of ‘paradigm shifts’, this subject explores a range of contemporary theoretical perspectives on how and why scientific change occurs. We examine questions such as: What happens during a scientific revolution? In what sense was the discovery of viruses a complex epistemological and sociological process, involving many individuals in the first half of the twentieth century? What social, technological and cognitive factors shape the emergence of new scientific disciplines? How do scientific concepts undergo change over time? What impact did second wave feminism have on the study of primate behaviour in the 1970s and 80s?
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Apply a range of different historical, philosophical, and sociological approaches to understanding the drivers of scientific change
- Demonstrate an understanding of the social, historical and cultural contexts which shape the historical development of scientific knowledge
- Engage in critical analysis of texts, through synthesizing and distinguishing between a variety of arguments and ideas
- Engage confidently and intelligently in contemporary debates in the history and philosophy of science
- Conduct independent critical research at third year level.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
This is the Capstone subject and only available to students in the major of History and Philosophy of Science or Knowledge and Learning minor within Bachelor of Arts or in the History and Philosophy of Science specialisation in Graduate Diploma in Arts/Graduate Certificate in Arts. It is not available to students in other minors or as breadth, except students in the Bachelor of Science, who are taking the equivalent of a major in History and Philosophy of Science by special arrangement with the Science Faculty.
Bachelor of Arts students in the HPS major are required to complete the Level Two requirements before enrolling into this subject.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Bachelor of Arts students are required to complete the Level Two requirements for the HPS major and be completing the final year of the degree.
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 |
---|---|---|
Essay about a topic covered in week 2 – week 6
| Week 3 – week 7 Depending on the choice of topic | 25% |
Essay about a topic covered in week 7 – week 11
| Week 8 – week 12 Depending on the choice of topic | 25% |
Final essay about a topic provided at the start of semester
| During the examination period | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at lectorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectorials. | 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 2
Principal coordinator Kristian Camilleri Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours: 1.5 hour lectorial and 1.5 hour seminar for 12 weeks 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: kcam@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
- Subject notes
This capstone subject is compulsory and only available to students undertaking a major in History and Philosophy of Science. It is not available in the minor or as breadth. It is expected that students will have completed all required level 1 and level 2 subjects before enrolling in the capstone.
Bachelor of Arts students should endeavour to take the capstone subject in their final semester of study after completion of 25 pts of 3rd year. See the Handbook Bachelor of Arts entry for each Discipline's requirements.
Enrolment in the Bachelor of Arts is required.
- 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 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