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 136-329 Darwinism (Science 3)

Note

Formerly available as 136-102/029. Students who have completed 136-102 or 136-029 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. Students cannot gain credit for both this subject and 136-102 before 1999 or 136-029 after 1998. Only available at Science third year; for other levels, see 136-029 Darwinism. This subject is based on 136-029 but involves additional work.

Credit Points

12.5

HECS Band

1

Coordinator

Dr Rosemary Robins

Prerequisites

Usually two second year HPS subjects.

Semester

2 (view timetable)

Contact

Between 10 and 12 weekly tutorials and between 20 and 24 lectures, normally two per week

Subject Description

This subject involves an exploration of the work of Charles Darwin and other theories of evolution in the 19th and 20th centuries. The social and scientific background of evolutionary theories in Great Britain, Germany, the United States and Australia will be compared. The relations between biological claims and social theories will be examined through topics such as social Darwinism, racial science, evolution of sex and gender, behaviourism, evolution of the mind, eugenics, sociobiology, environmentalism, and science and religion. The popular understanding of Darwinism through literature and films will also be explored. This subject should be of interest to any students who wish to learn more about the origins of the life sciences.

Assessment

Written work totalling 3000 words, an in-class test of 1000 words, and a 2000 word project on an advanced topic related to the subject but not covered in classroom teaching.

Prescribed Texts
  • A. Desmond and J Moore, Darwin. 1992.
  • P Appleman, Darwin: Texts, Backgrounds, Contemporary Opinion, Critical Essays. 1979.
Search : Index : Faculty of Arts : History and philosophy of science
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