HPSC1001: Semester 2, 2021

University home

Library

Current students

Staff intranet

Find an event

Give

Current students

Units HPSC1001 Semester 2 2021 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

HPSC1001: What is this Thing Called Science?

Overview

What distinguishes creationism from evolutionary theory, or astrology from astronomy? Can we have good reason to believe that our current scientific theories represent the world "as it really is"? This course critically examines the most important attempts to describe the scientific method, to draw a line dividing science from non-science, and to justify the high status generally accorded to scientific knowledge. Views studied include Karl Popper's idea that scientific theories are falsifiable in principle, Thomas Kuhn's proposal that science consists of a series of paradigms separated by abrupt scientific revolutions, and various claims that science cannot really be distinguished from other approaches to knowledge. This unit of study also explores contemporary theories of evidence and explanation, the role of values in science, sociological approaches to understanding science, feminist perspectives on science, and the nature of scientific consensus.

Details

Academic unit	History and Philosophy of Science Academic Operations
Unit code	HPSC1001
Unit name	What is this Thing Called Science?
Session, year ?	Semester 2, 2021
Attendance mode	Normal day
Location	Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Credit points	6

Enrolment rules

Prohibitions ?	HPSC2101 or HPSC2901 or HPSC1901
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff and contact details

Coordinator	Maureen O'Malley, maureen.omalley@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Maureen Anne O'Malley , maureen.omalley@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Caitrin Donovan , caitrin.donovan@sydney.edu.au
	Eamon Little, eamon.little@sydney.edu.au
	Patrick Dawson, pdaw6341@uni.sydney.edu.au
	Lucia Cafarella, lucia-rhianna.cafarella@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Online task	Online exercises Short online tasks. 8/10 must be completed.	10%	Multiple weeks	Multiple weeks. ~1hr each to complete.
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Tutorial participation Participation during in-class tutorials.	10%	Ongoing	Weekly. 80% attendance required.
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay 3 Written essay	30%	STUVAC Due date: 19 Nov 2021 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay 1 Written essay	20%	Week 05 Due date: 10 Sep 2021 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay 2 Written essay	30%	Week 09 Due date: 15 Oct 2021 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Special consideration

If you experience short-term circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, injury or misadventure or if you have essential commitments which impact your preparation or performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic honesty, academic dishonesty, and the resources available to all students.

The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic dishonesty or plagiarism seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of dishonesty, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction; What is science?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Correlations and their interpretations	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	From correlation to causation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Evidence hierarchies	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Explanations and inferences	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Models and experiments	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Data versus theory	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Concepts and natural kinds	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Science and social values	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Bias in science	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Abuse of science	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Science denial versus scientism	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are assigned a tutorial during the registration process. Attending at least 80% of tutorials is mandatory.
Online exercises: Students must complete at least eight of the online exercises to pass the course.
Assignments: Students must complete all three essays to pass the course.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit are available via links on the Canvas site.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University’s graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand philosophical and historical discussions of science and critically assess arguments in these areas
LO2. write clear and well-organized responses to philosophical and historical discussions of science, and develop your own views on these issues
LO3. relate general philosophical and historical ideas about science to particular examples of scientific work.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Closing the loop

- Greater clarity on expectations for participation marks has been provided, including a scale. - An essay marking rubric is being used, and provided to students. - 80% completion requirements for attendance and online assessment completion are stressed in the syllabus and throughout Canvas. - A head tutor has been employed, to encourage consistency across the teaching team.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

Key dates
Key dates through the academic year, including teaching periods, census, payment deadlines and exams.
Student administration
Enrolment, course planning, fees, graduation, support services, student IT
Expectations of student conduct
Code of Conduct for Students, Conditions of Enrollment, University Privacy Statement, Academic Integrity
Academic appeals
Academic appeals process, special consideration, rules and guidelines, advice and support
Learning and teaching policy
Policy register, policy search
Financial support
Scholarships, interest free loans, bursaries, money management
Study resources
Learning Centre, faculty and school programs, Library, online resources
Health and support
Student Centre, counselling & psychological services, University Health Service, general health and wellbeing

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Details

Enrolment rules

Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Closing the loop

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect