136-418 Science as Practice and Culture

Formerly available as 136-052. Students who have completed 136-052 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. Formerly available as 136-321. Students who completed 136-321 prior to 1999 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

At least two second-year HPS subjects.

The focus of this subject is the many and heterogeneous standardisations which feature in the workings of laboratories. We consider the nature, the functions and consequences of standardising in scientific work in both the practical and theoretical arena. The content is delivered through supporting students in carrying out a research project where they undertake participant observation in a laboratory. Part of the task is finding a laboratory to research and negotiating the study. In the study students will be expected to observe how people in the laboratory spend their time, to interview scientists and others, and to study the archives of the laboratory. The assessment of the subject is tied directly to this research study.

Written work totalling 4000 words comprising two class papers of 500 words, and a research essay of 3000 words.