13583 (v.2) SMEC 626 - Information Technology, Science and Society
| Area: | Science and Mathematics Education Centre |
| Credits: | 25.0 |
| Contact Hours: | 3.0 |
| Lecture: | 1 x 3 Hours Weekly |
| Syllabus: | Science and mathematics pedagogy and education, history and philosophy of science, growth and change of science, hypotheses - development, testing and rejections, scientific milestones and human thought. Theories of measurement, classification and time. Moral, ethical and legal issues. Available online via the internet. |
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| Unit Outcomes: | Upon completion, the student will have a perspective on the history of science and the scientific method, and how science changes and grows; Comprehend the fundamental tenets of the philosophy of science, including the contrasting views of Kuhn, Lakatos,Popper and Feyerabend; Understand how systems of measurement, classification and time operate; Appreciate the special problems of uncertainty and chaos, with particular reference to the formulation of the "laws" of science and the "creation" of the universe; and understand a range of moral, ethical and legal issues resulting from scientific and technological advances, including genetic engineering, life support, dependence on technology and so-called "fail safe" systems. |
| Unit Texts: | Ferris, T. 1988 Coming of Age in the Milky Way. London: Vintage. Dixon, B. ed. 1989 From Creation to Chaos: Classic Writings in Science. London: Blackwell. |
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| Unit Assessment Breakdown: | There are three items of formal assessment: Reflective diary / reading log (30%), Essay on an approved topic related to history or philosophy of science (35%), Report on the pros and cons of a technological development (35%) |
| Year | Location | Period | Internal | Area External | Central External | | 2004 | Bentley Campus | Semester 1 | Y | Y | | | 2004 | Bentley Campus | Semester 2 | Y | Y | | |
Current as of: February 2, 2004
CRICOS provider code 00301J
