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Undergraduate Handbook

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Understanding Science, Technology and Society - ARTS1300
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Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Excluded: HPSC1400, SCOM1011, SCTS1001
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
  

Description

Examines the place of science, and the centrality of technology, in modern societies using historical and contemporary cases of scientific, technological and environmental controversy. Critically examines the nature of scientific facts and theories and the relationship between them. Contrasts traditional with contemporary critical accounts of: the dynamics of change in the sciences; experiments; instruments; testing; and the relationship between science and technology. Explores the nature of technology as an instrument, and reflection, of processes of economic, social, political and environmental change. Considers how these understandings might affect our ideas about the the role of experts. Topics include: the theory-loading of facts; the case of phlogiston, oxygen and the chemical revolution; the theories of Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn and beyond; the case of the solar neutrino experiments; moving beyond the technological determinism vs. sociological determinism polarity; the cases of bicycle technology and automobility; the nature of environmental problems and the role of science and technology in dealing with them; the case of climate change and transport options.

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.