Undergraduate Course: Science and Society 1b: Nature and Environment (SCSU08004)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Science Studies Unit |
Other subject area | Environmental Courses |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course considers the ways that science and technology shape the relationship between humans and the environment. We will examine a number of topical historical and contemporary cases and in the process reflect on the role played by science and technology in how societies understand nature and environment. Themes to be dealt with include: science and cultural uses of natural resources; sociology of climate science; science, technology and international development; science and public understandings of environmental debates; science, knowledge and power; environmentalism. We will approach these themes by studying various environmental topics, including: wetlands, mountains, the oceans, agriculture, the tropics, climate, global warming, exobiology, forests and ice. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2012/13 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| Central | Lecture | | 18-29 | | 09:00 - 09:50 | | | | | Central | Lecture | | 18-29 | | | | | 09:00 - 09:50 |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Students who have completed the course successfully should be able to:
1. Describe the role played by science and technology in a number of important social and political arenas, particularly those related to issues of nature and the environment.
2. critically evaluate a variety of theoretical standpoints that address the above socio-scientific issues.
3. Describe the position of science and technology as a part of wider society, and account for some of the decisions made by scientists and politicians based on these social factors.
4. Analyse science as a social institution and how this institution shapes public debates about the environment. |
Assessment Information
| Assessed by a short written assessment (30%) approx. midway through the course, and a long 2,000 word essay (70%), submitted via WebCT to a deadline date. In order to pass the course, the long essay must be passed. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
2 x 1 hour lectures per week plus 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Lawrence Dritsas
Tel: (0131 6)50 4011
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Natasa Honeybone
Tel: (0131 6)50 9975
Email: |
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