History and Philosophy of Science

The aim of History and Philosophy of Science is to understand science: how is works, its historical development and its function in modern society. History and Philosophy of Science thus integrates philosophical, historical and sociological approaches to the study of science. It thus provides students with an insight into scientific methods and objectives without actually having to do science. Students will gain analytical skills in evaluating scientific (and non-scientific) knowledge as well as a broad understanding of the historical development of science in its interactions with philosophy, religion and society.

see course objectives

History and Philosophy of Science is available as a 100 point major and a 75 point minor in the BA, comprising two level one subjects, one sequence of level 2 and 3 subjects and one or two subjects from the list of elective subjects.

Major

Level 1

25 points comprising of the following:

• One Arts Foundation Subject: MULT10016 Reason is recommended but not required and HPSC10002 Science and Pseudoscience or HPSC10001 From Plato to Einstein

Level 2

• 37.5 points of level two HPS subjects

Level 3

• 37.5 points of level three HPS subjects including the capstone subject: HPSC30035 Knowledge in the Making

Total 100 points

Minor

Level 1

25 points comprising of the following:

• • One Arts Foundation Subject: MULT10016 Reason is recommended but not required and HPSC10002 Science and Pseudoscience or HPSC10001 From Plato to Einstein

Level 2

• 25 points of level two HPS subjects

Level 3

• 25 points of level three HPS subjects

Total 75 points

Students are recommended to take one of the following subject sequences within their major or minor:

• Methodological Approaches to History and Philosophy of Science
  Science Reason and Reality (level 2)
  Science and Society (Level 3)
  Magic, Reason, New Worlds, 1450-1750 (Level 3)
  Knowledge in the Making (Level 3)

• History of Science
  Astronomy in World History (Level 2)
  Darwinism (Level 2)
  The Rise of Modern Science (Level 3)
• Science, Technology and Society
  iSociety: Technology and Contemporary Life (Level 2)
  Social Technologies (Level 2)
  Science and Society (Level 3)
• Life Sciences
  A History of Nature (Level 2)
  Darwinism (Level 2)
  Philosophy of Biology (Level 3)
• Minds, Belief and History
  Astronomy in World History (Level2)
  God and the Natural Sciences (level 2)
  Minds and Madness (Level 3)
• Philosophy of Science
  Science, Reason and Reality (Level 2)
  God and the Natural Sciences (Level 2)
  Philosophy of Biology (Level 3)
  Knowledge in the Making (Level 3)

In addition to a sequence students completing a major must also complete two electives and students completing a minor one elective from the list below.

Level 1

Level 2

See recommended sequences above.

Level 3

See recommended sequences above.

Level 3 Capstone

The capstone subject is compulsory for students completing a major.

Level 2 Elective Subjects

Students completing a major are required to complete two electives at either level two or level three. Students completing a minor must complete one elective, at either level two or level three.

Level 3 Elective Subjects

Students completing a major are required to complete two electives at either level two or level three. Students completing a minor must complete one elective, at either level two or level three.