Unit outline_

HPSC2100: The Birth of Modern Science

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Modern culture is a culture of science and modern science is the outcome of a historical process of 2,500 years. In this course we investigate how traditional knowledge gradually acquired the characteristics of 'science': the social structure, contents, values and procedures we are familiar with. We will look at some primary chapters of this process, from antiquity to the end of the seventeenth century, and try to understand their implications to understanding contemporary science in its culture.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit History and Philosophy of Science Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points from (1000-level units or 2000-level units)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
HPSC2900
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Cindy Hodoba Eric, cindy.eric@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Out-of-class quiz Early Feedback Task Early feedback task
#earlyfeedbacktask
5% Week 03
Due date: 15 Mar 2026 at 23:59

Closing date: 29 Mar 2026
15 minutes AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO1
In-person written or creative task Short written exercise
Short written exercise. The task is compulsory and must be attempted to pass the unit.
15% Week 04
Due date: 22 Mar 2026 at 23:59

Closing date: 05 Apr 2026
20 minutes AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO1 LO2
Practical skill Online writing exercise
Online writing exercise
7.5% Week 05
Due date: 29 Mar 2026 at 23:59

Closing date: 12 Apr 2026
400 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO1 LO2
Written work Essay outline
Essay outline
10% Week 06
Due date: 05 Apr 2026 at 23:59

Closing date: 19 Apr 2026
1 page AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Practical skill Online writing exercise
Online writing exercise
7.5% Week 07
Due date: 19 Apr 2026 at 23:59

Closing date: 03 May 2026
400 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO1 LO2
In-person written or creative task Short written exercise
Short written exercise. The task is compulsory and must be attempted to pass the unit.
15% Week 08
Due date: 26 Apr 2026 at 23:59

Closing date: 10 May 2026
20 minutes AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO1 LO2
Written work Full essay
Full essay
20% Week 10
Due date: 10 May 2026 at 23:59

Closing date: 24 May 2026
1250 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Interactive oral Q&A about essay
Q&A about the essay. The task is compulsory and must be attempted to pass the unit.
20% Week 13 10 minutes AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

  • Component 1: Knowledge and understanding: 30% of the assessment for this unit of study will be based on weekly online quizzes (a mixture of multiple choice and short answers).  
  • Component 2: Critical skills: 30% of the assessment involves the weekly submission of short (maximum 150 words), well-formulated answers to the assigned questions regarding the primary texts provided on the website.  Late submissions are not accepted for this assessment, and it is not eligible for extension.
  • Component 3: Writing skills: 30% of the assessment for this unit of study will be based on the grades of 750 words each.
  • Component 4: Engagement and participation: 10% of the assessment is based on active engagement in the weekly tutorials.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following criteria are specific to HPSC2100. Marks may be scaled to fit grade distributions; please note that all grades on returned work are ‘raw’ marks.

The section that follows indicates broadly the qualitative judgements implied by the various marks which are awarded. A more precise evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of individual components will be provided in examiners’ comments/feedback.

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021

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

Result Name

Mark Range

Description

High Distinction

85 - 100

High Distinction (85+):

  • Indicates that assignments are consistently of an exceptional standard, and exhibit considerable initiative and ingenuity in research and reading.
  • Demonstrates the ability to formulate innovative interpretations and arguments including insightful contributions to theoretical debates; and the ability to develop abstract or theoretical arguments based on detailed research and original interpretation. 
  • Your academic writing must be characterised by a high degree of creativity, scholarly style, and critical analysis. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Distinction (75-84): 

  • Demonstrates initiative in research and reading. 
  • Indicates a complex understanding and original, creative, critical analysis of the subject matter and its context; and takes a critical stance in relation to the underlying assumptions in the field as well as the theoretical arguments and their interpretations associated with the course topics. 
  • Your written work and class participation must be properly documented, and academic writing is characterised by scholarly style, clarity, and some creativity. 

Credit

65 - 74

Credit (65-74):

  • Indicates significant command of the course material and genuine interest in the readings and appreciation of the challenges they present. 
  • A low (65-69) credit indicates competent work, demonstrating the potential to pursue honours work, though further development would be needed to do so successfully. 
  • A high (70-74) credit demonstrates a clear capacity to pursue honours.

Pass

50 - 64

(Low) Pass (50-57): 

  • Indicates poor understanding of the UoS material and a lack of progress and intellectual development in the depth and sophistication of your submitted assignments, activities, and quiz results. 

(High) Pass (58-64): 

  • Indicates some understanding of the UoS material and some development of your interpretative and argumentative skills. 
  • This mark, however, still indicates a minimal engagement in the course material and the readings and little development and progress in the intellectual skills required to interpret them. 

Fail

0 - 49

Fail (below 50):

  • Indicates that your work is not of acceptable standard overall, and/or you have failed to achieve a 50 % in some component of the UoS. 
  • You may receive a fail for a particular assessment for any or all of the following reasons: 
    • unacceptable levels of paraphrasing or lack of citation (see Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism); 
    • irrelevance of content; 
    • careless or sloppy presentation, grammar and punctuation, or argument structure such that it is difficult to understand the claims being made; 
    • evidence of inadequate knowledge or understanding of readings or lectures; 
    • late submission without extension via the Faculty special consideration procedure (see Special Consideration and Special Arrangement Policies). 

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per day for Component 3

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to historiography, and the medieval world. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Ancient Greek metaphysics and classical cosmology (Plato and Aristotle). Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Ancient Greek metaphysics and classical cosmology (Plato and Aristotle). Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Aristotelians, the university, and medieval science. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Aristotelians, the university, and medieval science. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Renaissance magic and hermeticism. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Renaissance magic and hermeticism. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 The reformation, and the Copernican-Keplerian cosmos. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
The reformation, and the Copernican-Keplerian cosmos. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Alchemy, mining and metallurgy, and Earth as body. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Alchemy, mining and metallurgy, and Earth as body. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Medicine, and the body as Earth. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Medicine, and the body as Earth. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Competing cosmogonies: mechanistic, atomistic, and hermetic. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Competing cosmogonies: mechanistic, atomistic, and hermetic. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 The counter-reformation, Jesuit science, Galileo and the moving Earth. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
The counter-reformation, Jesuit science, Galileo and the moving Earth. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 The first institutions of science. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
The first institutions of science. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Isaac Newton and the persistence of enchantment. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Isaac Newton and the persistence of enchantment. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Disenchantment, modernity, and the return of enchantment? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Disenchantment, modernity, and the return of enchantment? Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Reading Requirements and Time Commitments

All readings are available in the relevant weekly module tab on the unit of study’s Canvas LMS site. Set aside
sufficient time to actively read the assigned text(s) and/or image(s). This will most likely take you several hours each week.

 

According to the Faculty of Science Handbook 2026:

9 Attendance and participation

(1) Students are required to be in attendance at the correct time of any compulsory formal, informal or replacement examinations.

(2) Attendance and participation in a minimum number of assessment items or learning activities may be a requirement in any unit of study.

(3) Compulsory or hurdle assessments (where a student must show achievement of learning outcomes above a certain standard before they are able to pass a unit of study) may be a requirement in any unit of study.

(4) Unless otherwise stated, students are expected to attend at least 80% of timetabled activities as defined in the unit of study outline.

(5) Failure to meet unit of study requirements may result in a fail grade.

 

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 are provided on Canvas.

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.

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

  • LO1. Identify and discuss some major chapters in the history of science from antiquity through the scientific revolution
  • LO2. Read and try to interpret primary historical material from these periods (in English translation)
  • LO3. Appreciate and discuss some of the particular philosophical and methodological challenges involved in the historiography of science.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We've improved content and assessments according to staff and student feedback.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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