Undergraduate - UnitATS2867 - Thinking about science

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2013 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

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Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Organisational Unit	Philosophy
Offered	Clayton First semester 2013 (Off-campus) Clayton Second semester 2013 (Off-campus) Clayton Summer semester A 2013 (Off-campus)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Monima Chadha

Notes

Previously coded PHL2210

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.

Outcomes

Have an understanding of major theoretical approaches to the nature of science;
Have familiarity with a variety of case studies in the history of science;
Have improved their skills in analysing and interpreting philosophical texts;
Have developed some skills in reading and analysing historical scientific texts;
Have developed skills in criticising philosophical accounts of scientific progress.

Assessment

Written work: 75% (3000 words)
Exam: 25%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Monima Chadha

Contact hours

On-campus: 2 hours per week. OCL: workshops optional.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Philosophy

Prerequisites

A first-year unit in Philosophy or 12-points of study in a science discipline.