School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Gods, Gossip and Genes: An Exploration of Being Human
  • Unit Code

    HMN1114
  • Year

    2016
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This is a general introductory unit into the key concepts and ideas in the Humanities. Students explore the human experience across space and time and consider the key questions: what does it mean to be human and how are ideas about the human condition represented in public discourse. Students examine these questions through a multi-disciplinary lens, including history, politics, psychology and sociology. Emphasis will be placed on engagement with on-line learning materials, self-directed skill development and class discussion in a manner that facilities the acquisition of academic skills of research, critical thinking, and written and verbal communication.

Equivalent Rule

Replaces HMN1101, HMN1103

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Articulate an understanding of key theories, concepts and ideas involved in a study of being human
  2. Analyse the contribution of the traditional disciplines in this understanding
  3. Apply key ideas, theories and concepts to contemporary social and cultural issues
  4. Acquire academic skills associated with a study of the Humanities

Unit Content

  1. Debates about the role of evolutionary psychology and the human experience
  2. Continuity and change in ideas about human relationships and underlying human values
  3. Religion, atheism and the search for meaning
  4. Rituals, memorials and ceremonies
  5. The creative drive in human beings
  6. Consumerism and ethics in the age of globalisation
  7. The future of human beings in a world of technology and artificial intelligence

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, seminars and documentaries.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
EssayResearch-based Essay50%
PortfolioPortfolio Presentation50%

Text References

  • ^ Harari, Y. (2014.) Sapiens: A brief history of humankind, London: United Kingdom. Harvill Secker.
  • Ackerman, D. (2014) The human age: The world shaped by us. London: United Kingdom. Headline Publishing.
  • Cohen, E. (2008). In the shadow of progress: Being human in the age of technology, New York, NY. Encounter Books.
  • Eriksen, H.J. Small places, large issues: An introduction to social and cultural anthropology, London: United Kingdom. Pluto.
  • Pettman, D. (2011). Human error: Species being and media machines. MN. University of Minnesota Press.
  • Pinker, S. (2011). The better angles of our nature: Why violence has declined. Penguin Books.
  • Singer, P. (2004). One world: The ethics of globalisation. Yale University Press.
  • Taylor, C. (2011). The secular age. Harvard University Press.
  • Thomas, K. (1991). Religion and the decline of magic. Penguin Books.
  • Watson, P. (2014). The age of atheists: How we have sought to live since the death of God. New York, NY. Simon & Schuster.

Journal References

  • Miller, A. (2007). The politically incorrect truths about human nature. Psychology Today, 1 June.
  • Humanities
  • Journal of Arts and Humanities
  • New Philosopher
  • Psychology Today

Website References

  • TED Lectures
  • Intelligent2 Debates
  • National Geographic
  • Global Issues

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

HMN1114|1|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Gods, Gossip and Genes: An Exploration of Being Human
  • Unit Code

    HMN1114
  • Year

    2016
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This is a general introductory unit into the key concepts and ideas in the Humanities. Students explore the human experience across space and time and consider the key questions: what does it mean to be human and how are ideas about the human condition represented in public discourse. Students examine these questions through a multi-disciplinary lens, including history, politics, psychology and sociology. Emphasis will be placed on engagement with on-line learning materials, self-directed skill development and class discussion in a manner that facilities the acquisition of academic skills of research, critical thinking, and written and verbal communication.

Equivalent Rule

Replaces HMN1101, HMN1103

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Articulate an understanding of key theories, concepts and ideas involved in a study of being human
  2. Analyse the contribution of the traditional disciplines in this understanding
  3. Apply key ideas, theories and concepts to contemporary social and cultural issues
  4. Acquire academic skills associated with a study of the Humanities

Unit Content

  1. Debates about the role of evolutionary psychology and the human experience
  2. Continuity and change in ideas about human relationships and underlying human values
  3. Religion, atheism and the search for meaning
  4. Rituals, memorials and ceremonies
  5. The creative drive in human beings
  6. Consumerism and ethics in the age of globalisation
  7. The future of human beings in a world of technology and artificial intelligence

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, seminars and documentaries.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
EssayResearch-based Essay50%
PortfolioPortfolio Presentation50%

Text References

  • ^ Harari, Y. (2014.) Sapiens: A brief history of humankind, London: United Kingdom. Harvill Secker.
  • Ackerman, D. (2014) The human age: The world shaped by us. London: United Kingdom. Headline Publishing.
  • Cohen, E. (2008). In the shadow of progress: Being human in the age of technology, New York, NY. Encounter Books.
  • Eriksen, H.J. Small places, large issues: An introduction to social and cultural anthropology, London: United Kingdom. Pluto.
  • Pettman, D. (2011). Human error: Species being and media machines. MN. University of Minnesota Press.
  • Pinker, S. (2011). The better angles of our nature: Why violence has declined. Penguin Books.
  • Singer, P. (2004). One world: The ethics of globalisation. Yale University Press.
  • Taylor, C. (2011). The secular age. Harvard University Press.
  • Thomas, K. (1991). Religion and the decline of magic. Penguin Books.
  • Watson, P. (2014). The age of atheists: How we have sought to live since the death of God. New York, NY. Simon & Schuster.

Journal References

  • Miller, A. (2007). The politically incorrect truths about human nature. Psychology Today, 1 June.
  • Humanities
  • Journal of Arts and Humanities
  • New Philosopher
  • Psychology Today

Website References

  • TED Lectures
  • Intelligent2 Debates
  • National Geographic
  • Global Issues

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

HMN1114|1|2