School: Science
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
Case Studies in ScienceUnit Code
SCI1182Year
2016Enrolment Period
1Version
1Credit Points
15Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Online
Description
This unit explores a series of case studies involving the biological, chemical and environmental sciences. The case studies will provide the framework to introduce the sociology and philosophy of science, necessary for the interpretation of environmental and/or technological disputes where different values are represented. Case studies will include societal processes dealing with such matters as genetic engineering, land clearing, resource management, chemical use and population growth.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Analyse a case study involving biological, chemical or environmental matters for its underlying social theme(s),
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of the nature of risk as it applies to environmental and technical disputes.
- Show a preliminary understanding of the nature of knowledge and the use of data in the context of environmental and/or technical disputes,
- Show an ability to detect issues of power, justice and equity in environmental and/or technical disputes,
- Show an ability to reflect critically on the role of science and technology in societal processes,
Unit Content
- Case studies which have historical importance in the development of environmental movement, or technical innovation, or sustainable development will provide the analytical context to cover the following areas:
- Conceptualisations of risk and the precautionary principle,
- The cultural practices of science and scientists, peer review, publications, scientific gatherings, scientific authority, science and the media,
- The distribution of resources, recognition of advantage and disadvantage, and consideration of class, gender, race and ethnicity in disputes.
- The social construction of knowledge and the nature of scientific 'facts',
- The use of language in scientific/environmental disputes,
Additional Learning Experience Information
Content and skills will be addressed through the following processes: Lectures, tutorials, student-centred discussion groups, role playing, self learning.
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| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Portfolio | Workbook exercises for weekly topics | 50% |
| Exercise | Tutorial Exercises and quizzes | 30% |
| Case Study | Major assignment | 20% |
ONLINE| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Portfolio | Workbook exercises for weekly topics | 50% |
| Exercise | Online discussions, tasks and quizzes | 30% |
| Case Study | Major assignment | 20% |
Text References
- ^ SCI1182 Book of Readings
- Byers, W. (2011). Science and the crisis of uncertainty. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University press.
- Chalmers, A. F. (2013). What is this thing called science? . 4th Edition St. Lucia [Qld.]: University of Queensland Press.
- Freegard, H. C. (2007). Ethics in a Nutshell. In: Ethical Practice for Health Professionals, South Melbourne, Australia: Thomson.
- Schick, T. And Vaughn, L. (2005). How to think about weird things. 2nd Edition New York: McGraw Hill
- Hackett, E.J., Amsterdamska, O., Lynch, M., & Wajcman, J. (Eds.). (2008) The Handbook of science and technology studies. 3rd Edition Cambridge: MIT Press
- Irwin, A., & Wynne, B. (Eds). (2007) Misunderstanding Science? The Public Reconstruction of Science and Technology Cambridge: Cambridge Community Press
- Novak, I. (2011). Science: a many splendored thing. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing.
- Rosser, S.V. (2008). Women, science and myth: gender beliefs from antiquity to present. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO
- Bauer, H. H. (1994). Scientific literacy and the myth of the scientific method. Illinois: University of Illinois Press. Note: SCI1182 Book of Readings
- Harre, R,, Brockmeier, J., & Muhlhausler, P.(1999). Greenspeak: a study of environmental discourse. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
^ 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.
SCI1182|1|1
School: Science
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
Case Studies in ScienceUnit Code
SCI1182Year
2016Enrolment Period
2Version
1Credit Points
15Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Online
Description
This unit explores a series of case studies involving the biological, chemical and environmental sciences. The case studies will provide the framework to introduce the sociology and philosophy of science, necessary for the interpretation of environmental and/or technological disputes where different values are represented. Case studies will include societal processes dealing with such matters as genetic engineering, land clearing, resource management, chemical use and population growth.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Analyse a case study involving biological, chemical or environmental matters for its underlying social theme(s),
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of the nature of risk as it applies to environmental and technical disputes.
- Show a preliminary understanding of the nature of knowledge and the use of data in the context of environmental and/or technical disputes,
- Show an ability to detect issues of power, justice and equity in environmental and/or technical disputes,
- Show an ability to reflect critically on the role of science and technology in societal processes,
Unit Content
- Case studies which have historical importance in the development of environmental movement, or technical innovation, or sustainable development will provide the analytical context to cover the following areas:
- Conceptualisations of risk and the precautionary principle,
- The cultural practices of science and scientists, peer review, publications, scientific gatherings, scientific authority, science and the media,
- The distribution of resources, recognition of advantage and disadvantage, and consideration of class, gender, race and ethnicity in disputes.
- The social construction of knowledge and the nature of scientific 'facts',
- The use of language in scientific/environmental disputes,
Additional Learning Experience Information
Content and skills will be addressed through the following processes: Lectures, tutorials, student-centred discussion groups, role playing, self learning.
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| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Portfolio | Workbook exercises for weekly topics | 50% |
| Exercise | Tutorial Exercises and quizzes | 30% |
| Case Study | Major assignment | 20% |
ONLINE| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Portfolio | Workbook exercises for weekly topics | 50% |
| Exercise | Online discussions, tasks and quizzes | 30% |
| Case Study | Major assignment | 20% |
Text References
- ^ SCI1182 Book of Readings
- Byers, W. (2011). Science and the crisis of uncertainty. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University press.
- Chalmers, A. F. (2013). What is this thing called science? . 4th Edition St. Lucia [Qld.]: University of Queensland Press.
- Freegard, H. C. (2007). Ethics in a Nutshell. In: Ethical Practice for Health Professionals, South Melbourne, Australia: Thomson.
- Schick, T. And Vaughn, L. (2005). How to think about weird things. 2nd Edition New York: McGraw Hill
- Hackett, E.J., Amsterdamska, O., Lynch, M., & Wajcman, J. (Eds.). (2008) The Handbook of science and technology studies. 3rd Edition Cambridge: MIT Press
- Irwin, A., & Wynne, B. (Eds). (2007) Misunderstanding Science? The Public Reconstruction of Science and Technology Cambridge: Cambridge Community Press
- Novak, I. (2011). Science: a many splendored thing. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing.
- Rosser, S.V. (2008). Women, science and myth: gender beliefs from antiquity to present. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO
- Bauer, H. H. (1994). Scientific literacy and the myth of the scientific method. Illinois: University of Illinois Press. Note: SCI1182 Book of Readings
- Harre, R,, Brockmeier, J., & Muhlhausler, P.(1999). Greenspeak: a study of environmental discourse. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
^ 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.
SCI1182|1|2
