Cultural Perspectives on Science and Technology
SCI17
Overview
Level of study: What does Undergraduate Level 1 mean?
Undergraduate Level 1
EFTSL: What does EFTSL mean?
0.125
Delivery Method: What does delivery method mean?
Fully Online
Prerequisites: What are the prerequisites?
No
Duration:
13 weeks
Domestic student fee:
$1,039.00 (AUD)
HECS student fee:
$1,006.00 (AUD)
International student fee:
$1,264.00 (AUD)
Description
This unit introduces you to the concepts of science and scientific methodology and examines how they have shaped the nature of Western thought. The relationship between science and technology and business is explored to determine the extent to which we live in an age of technological determinism or whether science and technology respond to the needs of society. You also discuss the ethics of scientific research and the application of technological developments.
Please note: Assessment values are indicative only; details will be advised at the start of the unit.
Assessment
- Assignment (30%)
- Assignment 2 (40%)
- Group Discussion Board Task (10%)
- Tutorial topics (20%)
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit students will have developed these generic skills:
- analytical skills
- understanding of research methodology, including ethics
- writing in a clear, scientific manner, including the critical evaluation of research
- ability to work independently.
Topics
This unit addresses the following topics.
| Number | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | What is science and scientific methodology? |
| 2 | What is technology and what is it's relationship to science? |
| 3 | The business of scientific research and technological development |
| 4 | Ethics of scientific research and development of technologies |
| 5 | The science of genetic engineering |
| 6 | The invention of printing press and is impact on Western thought |
| 7 | Media representation of scientific research |
| 8 | The information superhighway |
| 9 | Convergence of computers and telecommunications |
| 10 | The growing gap between 'information rich' and 'information poor' |
| 11 | Western science and Aboriginal values |
Study Resources
This unit is delivered using the following methods and materials:
Print based materials
- Welcome Letter
Online materials
- Printable format materials
Textbook information for this unit is currently being updated and will be available soon. Please check back regularly for updates. Alternatively, visit the Unibooks website and enter the unit details to search for available textbooks.
Relevant Courses
This unit is a core requirement in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Behavioural Studies, Swinburne University of Tnlgy
- Bachelor of Technology (Information Systems), Swinburne University of Tnlgy
This unit may be eligible for credit towards other courses:
- Many undergraduate courses on offer through OUA include 'open elective' where any OUA unit can be credited to the course. You need to check the Award Requirements on the course page for the number of allowed open electives and any level limitations.
- In other cases, the content of this unit might be relevant to a course on offer through OUA or elsewhere. In order to receive credit for this unit in the course you will need to supply the provider institution with a copy of the Unit Profile in the approved format, which you can download here. Note that the Unit Profile is set at the start of the year, and if textbooks change this may not match the Unibooks textbook list.
