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Department of Psychology, Unit Catalogue 2007/08


PS40036 Public knowledge: history, philosophy, sociology & psychology of science

Credits: 6
Level: Masters
Semester: 1
Assessment: ES 50%, EX 50%
Requisites:
Aims: The course aims to introduce students to key issues raised by historical, philosophical and sociological studies of science and to recent developments in psychological studies of science. Students will develop an informed and critical view of the nature of scientific activity and the problems arising from the differences between scientific and other approaches to problems, and to apply these views to science communication and the public understanding of science.
Learning Outcomes:
To enable students (i) to develop an informed and critical view of the nature of scientific activity and the issues arising from differences between scientific and other approaches to problems and (ii) to demonstrate how these views bear upon the communication of science and issues in the debate about public understanding of science.
Skills:

* Comprehensive and scholarly written communication (e.g. essays) (T/F A)
* Concise, time-bound and effective written communication (e.g. briefings/exams) (T/F A)
* Effective oral communication (e.g. seminar presentations) (T/F A)
* Ability to select, summarise and synthesise written information from multiple sources. (T/F A)
* Ability to develop rigorous arguments through precise use of concepts and models. (T/F A)
* Ability to synthesise multidisciplinary perspectives on the same problem. (T/F A)
* Ability to select and use appropriate ideas to produce a coherent response to a pre-set question. (T/F A)
* Ability to formulate a research question, then develop and present an original and coherent answer. (T/F A)
* Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines. (T/F A)
* Ability to work independently, without close supervision or guidance (T/F)
Content:
Contested views about science: traditions, continuity and change; disciplinary approaches to science studies; understanding scientific practice; scientists on science; Scientific, Expert and Lay Knowledge; Science and Public Understanding; Public Acceptance of Science & Technology; Science and Psychology; Science and other Modes of Knowledge. The course is lecture-based with considerable directed reading and class discussion.All students read and discuss a number of key authors. Video documentaries are used and there is an associated film series. All students undertake a research project, written up as an assessed review essay.