Science and the modern world
HSTM10221 (10-credit); HSTM10721 (20-credit)
Semester One, Mondays, 15.00-17.00
Contact: Dr Vlad Jankovic
Aims
To provide a general introduction to science as a central part of our cultural, economic and political life. To explore the place of science and scientific knowledge in human affairs through a study of its historical and social context. To introduce students from all backgrounds to different ways of thinking about science in the past and the present through the use of a variety of resources and media, including literature and film. In addition, the 20 credit unit aims to give students the opportunity of exploring in detail some aspect of the relationship between science and the modern world through an individually supervised research project.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students will have an appreciation of the complexity of the modern sciences in the broad context of their historical development; understand a range of ways of thinking about the sciences and contemporary society and the relationships between them; be able to reflect critically on the role of the sciences in modern culture; develop their communication and group-working skills; in addition, the 20 credit unit will extend and develop their research and writing skills through an individual research project.
Lecture Content
Lectures form a connected series of case studies of various aspects of science in society and culture, based on the following themes:
- What is Science? Understanding the cultural authority of science.
- Seeing: the philosophy of representation in science.
- Creating: anthropological studies of science in action.
- Explaining: Darwin and the ‘conflict’ between science and religion.
- Destroying: science and war; the atomic bomb.
- Mediating: science fact and science fiction; science in popular culture
- Engendering: gender and the shaping of science.
- Controlling: applications of science; eugenics & the Human Genome Project
- Confronting: controversies in science and the public expertise of the scientist
Seminars consolidate lecture material through a set weekly reading. Students are required to answer a short series of questions based on the set text; these questions form the basis of the seminar discussion.
Assessment
Both lecture and seminar content are assessed by:
10 credit unit (HSTM10221) - 1000 word essay (50%) and 1.5 hour exam (50%).
20 credit unit (HSTM10721) - 1000 word essay (25%), 1.5 hour exam (25%) and 3000 word individual research project (50%).
Feedback - Students may ask questions at any time during lectures and seminars. Teaching staff can usually answer specific queries by email or during office hours, and will provide contact details in the course handbook or at lectures. All submitted coursework will be returned with annotations and an assessment sheet explaining the mark awarded.
Prerequisites - None.
Recommended Reading
- Bowler PJ & Morus I Making Modern Science 2005 University of Chicago Press
- Chalmers A What is This Thing Called Science? 1999 Open University Press
- Collins H and Pinch T The Golem: What Everyone Should Know About Science 1998 Cambridge University Press
A recent copy of the course outline is available to view (pdf). Please note that course content may change in the next academic year.