ARTS 2003 - Science as a Social Enterprise

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2019

Bruno Latour describes the way that scientific and technical work is made invisible by its own success as 'black boxing'. In this course, students will look inside the 'black box' to examine how scientific knowledge is currently created, used, applied, shared, and arguably controlled by a range of social factors. Students in this course will observe scientists at work and draw on a range of theories, in particular Science and Technology Studies (STS) to examine science as a social enterprise.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ARTS 2003
    Course Science as a Social Enterprise
    Coordinating Unit Arts Faculty Office
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study
    Restrictions Available to BLibArts&Sci students only
    Course Description Bruno Latour describes the way that scientific and technical work is made invisible by its own success as 'black boxing'. In this course, students will look inside the 'black box' to examine how scientific knowledge is currently created, used, applied, shared, and arguably controlled by a range of social factors. Students in this course will observe scientists at work and draw on a range of theories, in particular Science and Technology Studies (STS) to examine science as a social enterprise.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Wayne Errington

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    No information currently available.

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3,4,5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    3,4,5
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    3,5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    3,5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Reading and other resources required for teaching and learning will be provided through MyUni
    Recommended Resources
    Additional resoources recommended for teaching and learning will be provided through MyUni
    Online Learning
    Online learning resources will be provided through MyUni from the start of semester
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    In this course, students will undertake a research project that will involve observing activities within a scientific research group for up to 8 hours per week. The project will run through the semester and one 2-hour seminar will support students through their project.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    WORKLOAD TOTAL HOURS
    1 X 2-hour seminar per week 24 hours per semester
    2 hours reading per week 24 hours per semester
    8 hours research project per week 96 hours per semester
    1 hour assignment preparation per week 12 hours per semester
    TOTAL - 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 Introduction to Science as a Social Enterprise - Preparing for research project
    Week 2 Observing science at work: ethics, introduction to qualitative research, interviews
    Week 3 Latour and the social construction of science and technology
    Week 4 The spatial/physical organisation of science
    Week 5 The social organisation of science
    Week 6 Instrumentation and 'black boxes'
    Week 7 Data: creation, organisation, dissemination
    Week 8 Relationships between the laboratory and the outside world
    Week 9 The "culture" of science
    Week 10 Report writing, presentation skills
    Week 11 Student presentations
    Week 12 Student presentations
    Specific Course Requirements
    Students will spend up to 8 hours per week undertaking a research project that will involve observations with a science research group so may require out of hours work and travel (depending on the host laboratory).
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Although the research projects are individual (in terms of assessment), it is intended that the students work in groups informally to support each other through the process. Some students may be co-located for their observations.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment task 1. 500 word research proposal (formative and summative 10%)
    Assessment task 2. 4000 word research report (summative 70%)
    Assessment task 3. Oral presentation (summative 20%)
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students are expected to attend seminars. While they will be recorded, the seminars will be highly interactive and provide opportunities for social learning.

    Students are expected to negotiate times for observations with their host science group.

    Students are expected to notify the course coordinator if they are unable to attend a seminar or observations with their host science group as soon as possible.

    The Faculty of Arts Modified Arrangements for Coursework Policy will apply for students who are unable to complete assessment tasks by the due date due to exceptional circumstances.




    Assessment Detail
    • Assessment task 1. 500 word research proposal: Students will prepare a mini research proposal/ethics application for their research placement. Students will be provided with an assignment sheet outlining the task and an assessment rubric. There will be opportunity for formative feedback from peers and instructors. This task is due for summative assessment at the end of week 4.
    • Assessment task 2. 4000 word research report: Students will prepare a descriptive research report that will connect the content from the seminars to science in practice. Students will be provided with an assignment sheet outlinging the task and an assessment rubric. Students will be expected to write approximately 600-700 words per week between weeks 4 and 10. There will be the opportunity for formative feedback from peers and instructors. This task is due for summative assessment at the end of week 10
    • Assessment task 3. Oral presentation: Students will prepare a brief, 10 minute oral presentation on the above report. Students will be provided with an assessment sheet and rubric. Presentations in weeks 11/12.






    Submission
    Assignment submission instructions will be provided in MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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