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Unit of study_
HPSC2011: Science, Ethics and Society
2027 unit information
What is the role of science in society? How should scientists and the public interact? Can science be used to make a better society? Should social concerns influence science? These questions and many more are the focus of this unit of study, which will address contemporary challenges in light of new and historical scientific knowledge and technologies. Using written resources and other media that bridge the science-society gap, we will examine the relationship between facts and values in public-facing science, as well as where responsibility lies in science communication.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | History and Philosophy of Science Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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HPSC3107 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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Students should be familiar with introductory material in Philosophy of Science, Ethics or Science Communication |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Recognise, and reflect critically on problems that are both social and scientific in nature
- LO2. Discuss basic approaches and ideas with regard to the place of science in society, relations between science and the public, and the role of experts
- LO3. Understand some of the social and political implications of the concept of 'modern Western science,' and reflect on the relations, similarities and differences between different knowledge traditions
- LO4. Recognise the lasting importance of the history of science for research ethics, and discuss examples of normative judgments embedded in research practices
- LO5. Present coherent arguments about the relationship of science to society, the relation between 'Western' science and Indigenous knowledges, and ethical issues related to developments in modern science and its applications
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2027
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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