PHL3115 - Making knowledge: Modern scientific controversies
6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate Faculty of Arts
Leader(s): Homer Le Grand
Offered
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)
Synopsis
The analysis of controversies over knowledge claims in science - claims about data, instruments, techniques, theories and world-views - reveals the provisional, revisable and dynamic character of scientific knowledge. This often results in controversies within one or more disciplines, the resolution of which may be the inclusion, removal or modification of what is accepted by the scientific community as valid knowledge. Student will gain a familiarity with several competing interpretations of this process and how these may be applied to a range of past and present controversies drawn primarily from the earth sciences.
Assessment
Written work: 70% (3500 words)
Tutorial exercises: 30%
Contact hours
2 hour (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week
Prerequisites
12 points in Philosophy, History or Social Sciences, or 18 points in Science at any level.