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How Science Works: Philosophy and Sociology - HPSC2200
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Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
 
 
School:  School of History and Philosophy
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.125 (more info)
 
 
Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: 36 units of credit
 
 
Excluded: HPSC2300, HPST2011, HPST2116, SCTS2002
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

Examines central issues in the philosophy and sociology of science. Introduces students to the nature and scope of the problem area, and prepares students to undertake work not only on the issues examined, but also across philosophy and sociology of science more broadly. Topics include: scientific method and the boundaries of 'science'; inductivism and deductivism; scientific progress; explanation; causality; confirmation and evidence; social construction and actor-network theory; theories about the relation of science to technology; values and their relation to knowledge; scientific realism and relativism.


Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, students should be able to:
  • Communicate effectively an analytical and critical account of the philosophy of science Explore philosophical issues concerning the nature and status of scientific knowledge and method
  • Practice the discipline of philosophy of science in an interdisciplinary context
  • Apply the philosophical skills you have acquired to other questions concerning knowledge
  • Engage in independent and reflective learning in the philosophy of science
  • Appraise arguments in the philosophy of science and contribute to discussion and debate in the field.

Assessment

  • Two in-class tests - 30% (15% each)
  • Tutorial presentation and paper - 30%
  • Major essay - 40%

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