PHL2210 - Thinking About Science

Leader: John Bigelow

Offered

Clayton First semester 2007 (Off-campus)
Clayton Second semester 2007 (Off-campus)
Clayton Summer semester A 2007 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

Unit looks at the growth of scientific theories from the standpoint of three humanities disciplines - history, philosophy and sociology - using a case study method. On completion, students will have an acquaintance with several important developments in the history of science, and have thought about issues in the philosophy of science and sociology of knowledge. They will also have read Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, and so have encountered one of the most important books on science written in the 20th C. Three case studies will be presented and students will undertake an individual case study under supervision. www.arts.monash.edu.au/phil/undergraduate/lateryear.html

Assessment

Two exercises (750 words): 20%
Essay (2000 words): 50%
Examination (1 hour): 30%
Students will have the option of replacing one or both of the exercises by participation in an on-line discussion via the portals interface.

Contact hours

2 hours per week

Prerequisites

A first-year unit in Philosophy or first-year level unit to the value of 12 points in a Science unit.