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Unit outline_

HPSC2100: The Birth of Modern Science

Semester 1, 2020 [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
? 
24 credit points of Junior units of study
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
HPSC2900
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ofer Gal, ofer.gal@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Tutorial quiz Component 1: Knowledge and understanding
Online quizzes
30% Multiple weeks 15-20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Component 2: Critical skills
Questions due online
28% Multiple weeks See canvas for details
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Component 3: Writing skills
Total of three short essays
30% Multiple weeks 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Participation Component 4: Engagement and participation
Online activities - see Canvas for details
12% Ongoing 40 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Component 1: Knowledge and understanding: 30% of the assessment for this unit of study will be determined by the cumulative results of the best 5 out of 6 online quizzes. Each quiz will include mostly multiple-choice questions and will be allowed 15-20 minutes. 
  • Component 2: Critical skills: 28% of the assessment involves formulating and submitting a short (maximum 100 words) question about the primary source of each week. All readings will be available early, and all submissions are due by Sunday. Each question will be worth 4 points and the best 7 grades out of the 10 submissions will be calculated towards the final grade.
  • Component 3: Writing skills: 30% of the assessment for this unit of study will be based on the grades of three short essays- the first 250 words and given up to 5 points, the second 500 words and 10 points, and the last 750 words and 15 points. The essay questions will be on the Canvas web-site some 10 days before submissions, and the week’s tutorial will be dedicated to discussing it the writing of the essay.
  • Component 4: Engagement and participation: 12% of the assessment is based on tutorial participation. Participation is judged on online activities.
     

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

For a High Distinction (85+), you must do everything required for a distinction, plus submit work that is consistently of an exceptional standard; exhibit considerable initiative and ingenuity in research and reading; provide innovative interpretations and arguments including insightful contributions to theoretical debates; and develop abstract or theoretical arguments based on 10 detailed research and original interpretation. Your written work must be characterised by a high degree of creativity, scholarly style, and precision.

Distinction

75 - 84

For a Distinction (75-84), you must do everything required for a credit, plus demonstrate initiative in research and reading; show a complex understanding and original, creative analysis of the subject matter and its context; and take 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 writing is characterised by scholarly style, clarity, and some creativity.

Credit

65 - 74

For a Credit (65-74), you must do everything required for a high pass, plus show 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

For a (Low) Pass (50-57), you must complete at least 2 tests, submit at least 4 acceptable questions and participate in at least 8 tutorials. This grade, however, indicates poor understanding of the material covered in class and lack of progress in the depth and sophistication of your submitted questions.

For a (High) Pass (58-64), you must do everything required for a low pass, plus submit most of the questions, show some understanding of the material covered in class and some development of your interpretative and argumentative skills. This grade, however, still indicates a minimal engagement in the course material and the readings and little progress in the skills required to interpret them

Fail

0 - 49

Mark of a 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 also the policy on Academic Honesty); irrelevance of content; careless or sloppy presentation, grammar, or argument structure such that it is difficult to understand the claims being made; evidence of inadequate knowledge or understanding of readings or lectures; or late submission without extension via the Faculty special considerations procedure.

For more information see 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.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity 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 integrity breaches seriously.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction - cathedrals Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 02 Greek thought Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 03 The birth of astronomy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 04 Medieval learning Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 06 The seeds of revolution Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 07 Magic Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 08 The moving earth Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 09 Medicine and the body Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 11 The new science Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 12 Science's cathedral Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 13 Conclusion Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  

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.

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.