Science and Society

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Standard

An average of 8.5 hours each week.

None.

None.

Knowledge gained in 75 points of University study (6 subjects) from any area.

Students who have completed 'Science and Society' under one of the codes 136-398 or 136-216 are not permitted to enrol in this subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The central focus of this subject is the various ways the relationship between science and society was understood and analysed during the twentieth century. This will provide the means for thinking analytically and critically about the place and role of science in present day society. Science and its products are integral to our every day lives providing benefits but also risks and ethical dilemmas. Understanding the relationship between science and society has never been more crucial. This subject offers students an introduction to theories and concepts in several analytic traditions useful in approaching the many and often difficult questions that are raised by science and its products in our contemporary world.

Students who successfully complete this subject should

• Develop a basic understanding of key theoretical approaches to science as a system of knowledge and practice that have been developed in the field of science and technology studies.
• Be able to apply these theoretical approaches to the analysis of historical and contemporary case-studies.
• Develop the capacity for critical analysis of theoretical approaches to examining science as a system of knowledge and practice and their application to historical and contemporary case-studies.

An essay of 2,000 words due mid-semester 50% and a 2 hour examination in the examination period 50%.

Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Regular participation in tutorials is required. 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. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader with key papers will be available from the Bookshop. Further texts will be available online.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who successfully complete this subject should

• Develop skills in reading and written and oral communication
• Conduct independent research
• Form defensible judgements on the basis of critical evaluation of conflicting arguments.
• Understand and analyse key conceptual and theoretical arguments
• Develop their own argument based on empirical evidence