Faculty of Higher Education, Lilydale

Unit of Study Outline SCI17 Cultural Perspectives on Science and Technology

Study Period 2, 2012
Version date (11 May, 2012)

Swinburne University of Technology, 2012 Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this document may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the University.

Unit of Study Outline

SCI17 Unit of study code Cultural Perspectives on Science and Technology Unit of study name Study period 2, 2012 Study Period & Year Nil Prerequisites Nil Corequisites 12.5 Credit Points

Teaching Staff (See Staff Information on Blackboard for your tutors contact details). Name Role Phone Email Address Consultation No. Times Cathy Farrell Unit of Study Please email Convenor cfarrell@swin.edu.au me if you wish to set up a phone appointment Name Role Email Address Ben Tutor bcharnley@swin.edu.au Email only Charnley
Email

All emails sent to either your tutor or the unit convener need to be sent from your student email account. This will ensure your email is received in a timely manner and not automatically sent to the SPAM filter used by Swinburne. Swinburne email accounts can be forwarded to personal accounts. The Swinburne student email system, Outlook Live, is located at http://outlook.com. See http://live.swinburne.edu.au/faq.html for more information on how to use it. As part of the email criteria please clearly place in the unit heading the unit code Subject Code and a brief topic description, also inside your email state your name (first name and last name) so that your email can be attended to as soon as possible. Please Note: Consultation with your tutors is generally via by email. Emails will be responded to in business hours, we make every attempt to respond to you within 24 hours. Aims The aims of SCI17 Cultural Perspectives on Science and Technology are to provide you with an opportunity to acquire theoretical and practical skills required for a successful learning experience in the university and the workplace. These are: To enhance your understanding of the relationship between theory and practice; To develop analytical skills; To enhance independent learning skills through working in teams and finding information through electronic means; To improve communications skills. Learning Objectives After successfully completing this unit, you should be able to: 1. describe the place of science and technology in our society and the implications they have for how we think and behave; 2. describe and discuss the Information Revolution and its implications for society;
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3. identify the relationship between theory and practice; 4. work in an online learning community, commenting and critically thinking about the issues presented in each module. Content SCI17 Cultural Perspectives on Science and Technology is presented in three parts over twelve modules. Part One Science and Technology: Concepts, Values and Unintended Consequences Module/Topic 1: Contexts and Connections. This module introduces the unit and addresses three main questions: Are science and technology the servants or masters of mankind? Is there such a thing as value-free science? To what extent are business practices affected by science and technology? Module/Topic 2: Western Science and Aboriginal Values. This module provides you with another opportunity to understand the idea that science and technology exist within specific cultural contexts. It will look at the case study of the issues related to the imposition of Western science and technology with their associated cultural values upon different cultures. Questions addressed will include: Are science and technology value free? What are some of the cultural contexts of Western science and technology? What are some of the tensions that exist between Western science and Aboriginal values? Module/Topic 3: Science, Technology and Society. This module examines some of the great inventions of the twentieth century. We will ask: How have these inventions influenced our lives? What are some of the unintended consequences of these inventions? What role business plays in the world of science and technology? Module/Topic 4: The Australian Experience Innovations and Implementation. In this module we will examine some of the great Australian innovations in the world of science and technology. We will examine: The vital role Australian scientists have played in the international world of science and technology; Some of the great Australian inventions and innovations; Why so many of our great scientists have had to rely on foreign funding. Part Two Science, Technology and Communication Module/Topic 5: Words on the Page, Words on the Wire Part 1. In this module we explore the history of writing and how the Gutenberg printing press influenced the development of capitalism throughout the Western world. We will briefly examine the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. We will discuss: How the move from script to printing revolutionised western culture; Why the period known as the Enlightenment provided a framework for the rise of capitalism; How the Industrial Revolution lead to the rise of mass production and mass consumption. Module/Topic 6: Words on the Page, Words on the Wire Part 2. This module looks at how the technology of the mass media determines the way in which information is reported. It looks in particular at how science and technology are reported in the media. Topics include: How does the technology of the media shape what we read, hear and see? How do the media represent science and technology? What determines which science and technology stories are reported?
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Module/Topic 7: Communication in the 21st Century. This module will explore the new ways we are communicating in the 21st century. Various social media platforms that can be accessed via multiple mobile devices have changed our communication patterns. While this can be convenient, there are some unintended consequences of being switched on or available 24/7. This weeks topics include: Exploring the various social media platforms that are facilitating new modes of communication; The problems with being available 24/7; Mobile devices mobile lives. Module/Topic 8: Privacy and Security This module examines the difficulties of protecting our privacy and security in the 21st century. You will be exposed to a number of papers written by experts in this area. Topics include: Issues surrounding privacy and security; The policies developed by our Government to protect our privacy/security; Case study - Google Street View great innovation or invasion of our privacy? Part Three Living with Science and Technology Module/Topic 9: Sustainability This module explores the preconditions of the development of approaches and policies designed to enable a more sustainable lifestyle. It briefly traces the short history of thinking about the various levels involved in the development of ecological sustainability. Define the term sustainability; Trace the history of ecological thinking; Understand the various levels of threat to the environment; Discuss ways of developing a sustainable lifestyle. Module/Topic 10: Genetics: The Shape of Things to Come Part 1. This module examines the implications of multinational companies controlling the seed industry. We will also explore how our food might look and taste in the future and whether or not we (society) should accept genetically modified food as part of our diet. Topics covered include: Ethical considerations of genetic research; Is genetically modified food feeding or poisoning the world? Monsanto v Schmeiser A case study. Module/Topic 11: Genetics: The Shape of Things to Come Part 2. This module explores the implications of genetic research for the treatment of disease and the development/creation of humans (for example, choosing the sex and physical characteristics of your next baby). It raises ethical questions about genetic research and the practice of multinational companies in taking out patents for research developments. Topics covered include: Genetic research gift or threat? The nature of genetic research; The exploitation of genetic research by the sporting world. Module/Topic 12: Future Gaze In this module we will spend some time thinking about the future of science and technology. This week we will reflect on the three major areas we have covered and make some future predictions about science and technology. Topics covered include: Science and technology contexts, values and unintended consequences; Science and technology communication; Living with science and technology. Resources and Reference Material All resources, podcasts, PowerPoint slides, readings and support materials are available on the SCI17 Blackboard site. There is no set textbook.
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Key Generic Skills for this Unit of Study You will be provided with feedback on your progress in attaining the following generic skills: independent learning; analysis skills assessed through completion of tutorial tasks and essays; problem solving skills assessed through regular online tutorial participation; Communication skills through interaction with your peers and tutors.

Learning and Teaching Structure SCI17 Cultural Perspectives on Science and Technology will involve a range of different learning contexts, modes and approaches intended to achieve one of the key learning outcomes of this unit - to enhance your abilities as independent lifelong learners. In order to achieve this outcome this unit is organised differently from most other units taken by you, and will involve both mediated and independent learning tasks. The learning experiences offered by this unit include: Peer group discussion via the discussion board and actively working in groups via wikis. (Discussion topics and activities for each module are located on under each module) Tutorial tasks. Essays. Students are expected to dedicate at least six hours per week to the activities and to the planning, researching and writing of essays throughout the 13 weeks of the study period.

Using Blackboard 9.1 (iLearn)

Synchronise Password first:
Blackboard uses your Swinburne ID number which you received on your confirmation of enrolment. This is called your SIMS username. This process enables student to change their password this is strongly recommended! YOU SHOULD DO THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO. See http://www.its.swinburne.edu.au/qas/sims.htm for details.

To access Blackboard unit:

1) Via My.Swinburne https://my.swinburne.edu.au/ OR 2) Go directly to: http://ilearn.swin.edu.au/ and login to Blackboard.

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If you have not synchronised your SIMS password, follow the instructions given at http://www.its.swinburne.edu.au/students/guides/ network/sims/index.html If you HAVE synchronised your SIMS password: Username Use your SIMS username - the seven digit Swinburne ID number that you received on confirmation of enrolment. Password Use your SIMS password.

Click the button. If you are unable to login, please contact the ITS Service Desk (servicedesk@swin.edu.au) or (03) 9214 5000. Once you have logged on, you will see the Blackboard My Units page

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The unit/s you are enrolled in will appear in the top right hand box (My Units of Study) as an underlined link. You should click on the link to enter the unit. Note that any units that have not been made available to students yet by the convener will not be listed. Buttons you may see include the following although other/alternate buttons may be available: HomePage used in most units. Lots of information such as new items posted since you last logged in, when assessment items are due, etc. Announcements - This shows all announcements made by the academic. Click VIEW ALL to view System announcements as well (important information about Blackboard outages, etc.) Unit Outline The unit outline will be available here. Staff Information - Information about the academic including name, email, phone, etc. Learning Materials - All relevant information regarding the unit/course is posted here e.g. lecture notes etc. Assessment - Assignments and relevant assessment details will be posted in this area. Tools Here, you will find the Blackboard user manual and My Grades (if in use). If you do not see any buttons, it is possible that you have hidden the unit menu. Click on the arrow to reveal the unit buttons.

Password Your Blackboard password is one of many that is controlled by the Swinburne Identity Management System (SIMS). Once you have synchronised your account, your password will be your SIMS password. See http://www.its.swinburne.edu.au/students/guides/network/sims/index.html for more information. Keep your password secret! If you think that someone has discovered your password, change it immediately. Using Blackboard See http://www.its.swinburne.edu.au/students/guides/learning_teaching/blackboard_9_1/student_resources.htm
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Getting help If you have any problems with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Service Desk (servicedesk@swin.edu.au) or (03) 9214 5000. In addition, there is a Help Request web form (recommended for non-telephone queries) on the Blackboard login page. (On-campus)Teaching Periods: Monday to Friday: 8:00 am to 9:00 pm Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (On-campus) Non-Teaching Times: Monday to Friday: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Weekly Schedule Period 2, 2012

# 1 28 May DATE LESSON ACTIVITIES ASSESSMENT

2 3

4 June 11 June

4 5

18 June

25 June

Orientation. This gives Preparation and you an opportunity to introductions explore the website, introduce yourselves and meet your tutor. Module 1: Contexts and Activity Online discussion Connections Module 2: Western Activity - Group Wiki Science and Aboriginal Values 18 June - Census Date Module 3: Science and Activity - Group Wiki Technology Topic 4: The Australian Activity - Online Discussion Experience Innovations and Implementation

Tutorial Task 1 (short-answer question) 10% Due 25th June (400-500 words)

10

Module 5: Words on the Activity - Online Discussion Page, Words on the Wire Part 1 8 July- Last Day to withdraw without academic penalty (WD) Module 6: Words on the Activity - Group wiki 9 July Page, Words on the Wire Part 2 Module 7: Activity - Online Discussion Short Essay (30%) 16 July Communication in the Due 16th July Digital Age (1000 words) 22 July Last day to withdraw to receive (WDFP) Activity - Online Discussion Module 8: Privacy and 23 July Security in the 21st Century 22 July Students withdrawing after this date will receive (NLWD) Module 9: Sustainability Activity - Online Discussion Tutorial Task 2 (Review) 10% Due 30 July 30th July (400-500 words) 2 July

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11 6 August 12 13 August

Module 10: Genetics: The Shape of Things to Come Part 1 Module 11: Genetics: The Shape of Things to Come Part 2

Activity - Online Discussion

Activity - Online Discussion

13 20 August

Module 12: Future Gaze Activity - Online Discussion

Reflective Piece (on group discussion) 10% Due 20th August (400-500 words) Final Essay 40% Due 27thth August (1500 words)

Exam Date and Time No examination in this unit.

PURPOSE

Blackboard Site for this Unit of Study Important information concerning this unit of study is placed on the Swinburne course management system (Blackboard), accessible via http://ilearn.swin.edu.au/ It is your responsibility to access on a regular basis the Blackboard site for your unit of study. Type in your ID number and your password. Note your ID number is your student ID and your password is initially set to your date of birth in the format DDMMYY the Announcements section on Blackboard, and any emails sent by the teaching staff to your student email address via Blackboard. If you access your email through a provider other than Swinburne, it is your responsibility to ensure that your Swinburne email is forwarded to your private email address. To redirect your Swinburne email, go to http://live.swinburne.edu.au/redirect.html for information on how to do this. You can also get access to lectures and PowerPoint slides, readings and assessment criteria and learning support documents Please note: Not all internet browsers support Blackboard. The compatible browsers are as follows: PC users: Firefox version 3.6 and above, Internet Explorer version 8 and above, Chrome. Mac users: Firefox version 3.6 and above, Safari version 5, Chrome. See http://kb.blackboard.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=101285989 for more information. Student Feedback: Swinburne seeks student feedback in a number of ways, including through periodic Student Feedback surveys, as part of the universitys approach to quality assurance and improvement. Possible improvement based on both student and staff feedback is considered by Unit Convenors, Unit Panels made up of relevant teaching staff, Program Panels, Faculty Academic Committees, and the Academic Programs Quality Committee, as appropriate.

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Assessment a. Assessment Task Details: Assessment Task Individual/ Group Task Individual Individual Individual Individual Individual Related Learning Objective(s) 1, 2, 3 and 4 1, 2 and 3 1,2,3 and 4 1, 2 and 3 1,2,3 and 4 Weighting Due Date 25th June, 2012 16th July, 2012 30th July, 2012 13th August, 2012 27th August, 2012

Tutorial Task 1 Short Essay Tutorial Task 2 Reflective Piece Final Essay

10% 30% 10% 10% 40%

b. Participation Requirements [if appropriate] There is an expectation that students will engage in the activities each week. c. Minimum Requirements to pass this Unit of Study: In order to achieve a pass in this unit of study, you must: Achieve a total mark of 50% or higher.

d. Assessment Criteria: Assessment criteria for each of the types of tasks can be found under Learning Materials on the SCI17 Blackboard site. e. Submission of Assignments: Tutorial tasks and essays must be posted electronically via Blackboard. Instructions will be made available via Learning Materials section of Blackboard. All written work should be presented in a typed form (word processed) using 12 point font. It should have a margin of at least 2.5 cm on either side of the page and be double-spaced. You must include your name, student number, tutor's name and tutorial group on the front page. Student must retain an electronic copy of all work submitted during the study period. Students are advised to plan for the semester, develop your own time management schedule to ensure the timely submission of assessment pieces. f. Extensions and Late Submissions: Extensions Policy Assessment due dates are published in Unit Outlines at the start of the teaching period and will not normally be extended except where students had their studies adversely affected by acute illness, misadventure or other extraordinary cause or circumstance reasonably beyond their control. Students who need to request an extension of time to the due date for a piece of assessment (excluding end of teaching period final examinations) should contact their Unit Convenor directly to discuss their circumstances and submit the extension form located at http://www.lilydale.swinburne.edu.au/students/current.htm If approved, the convenor will notify the student of the extended date. For more information refer to http://policies.swinburne.edu.au/ppdonline/showdoc.aspx?recnum=POL/2007/9 Late Penalties Policy This policy should be read in conjunction with the Universitys Assessment and Appeals Procedures and Higher Education, Lilydales Extensions Policy.
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Pieces of assessment which carry a weighting of 10% or more towards a students final result shall incur a late penalty of 10% of the available marks for each day or part thereof that the assessment is late provided it is submitted within one week of the due date. Assignments submitted more than one week after the due date will receive a mark of zero. Pieces of assessment which carry a weighting of less than 10% towards a students final result shall incur a late penalty of 1 mark for each day or part thereof that the assessment is late provided it is submitted within one week of the due date. Assignments submitted more than one week after the due date will receive a mark of zero.

g. Assessment Results: All assignments will be marked within 2 weeks of submission Students must retain all assessed material that contributes to the final result up until such time as the final results are published. i. Plagiarism: Swinburne University of Technology defines Plagiarism as the action or practice of taking and submitting or presenting the thoughts, writings or other work of someone else as though it is your own work. Plagiarism includes any of the following, without full and appropriate acknowledgment to the original source(s): (i) The use of the whole or part of a computer program written by another person; (ii) the use, in essays or other assessable work, of the whole or part of a written work from any source including but not limited to a book, journal, newspaper article, set of lecture notes, current or past students work, any other persons work, a website or database; (iii) the paraphrasing of anothers work; (iv) the use of musical composition, audio, visual, graphic and photographic models, (v) The use of realia, that is objects, artefacts, costumes, models and the like. Plagiarism also includes the preparation or production and submission or presentation of assignments or other work in conjunction with another person or other people when that work should be your own independent work. This remains plagiarism whether or not it is with the knowledge or consent of the other person or people. It should be noted that Swinburne encourages its students to talk to staff, fellow students and other people who may be able to contribute to a students academic work but that where independent assignment is required, submitted or presented work must be the students own. Enabling plagiarism contributes to plagiarism and therefore will be treated as a form of plagiarism by the University. Enabling plagiarism means allowing or otherwise assisting another student to copy or otherwise plagiarise work by, for example, allowing access to a draft or completed assignment or other work. j. Assessment and Appeals Policy and Procedure The information outlined in the Assessment sections above is covered in more detail in Swinburnes Assessment and Appeals Policy and Procedure. Students must be familiar with the Policy and Procedure, found at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/docs/AssessmentandAppealsHigherEducatio n.pdf The Policy and Procedure provides details about: Assessment issues such as the conduct of examinations, plagiarism policies and details explaining how to apply for a review of results and other appeals, and Student progress issues such as unsatisfactory academic progress and early intervention procedures, and Information for students with disabilities and special needs and procedures for applying for special consideration. Students should make themselves familiar with all aspects of the Policy and Procedure, as failure to do so is not grounds for appeal. Students are advised to seek advice from the staff at the Swinburne Student Amenities Association SSAA (http://www.swinburne.edu.au/ssaa/) if they require assistance with advocacy for Sections 12 (At-Risk and Progress Review) and 13 (Appeals) of the Policy and Procedure.

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Safety Standards and Conduct Requirements: Student misconduct is an action by a student which is in breach of the policies specified by Swinburne in the student General Misconduct policy. This extends to publishing on websites even where those sites are not set up or managed by Swinburne. Swinburne accepts no responsibility for unauthorised material posted in social networking sites (such as Facebook). If you have any issues resulting from the behaviour of other students, you should immediately contact the Swinburne Student Amenities Association (SSAA) http://www.myssaa.com.au/advocacy/academic-advice-and-advocacy Relevant links: Student General Misconduct policy http://policies.swinburne.edu.au/ppdonline/showdoc.aspx?recnum=POL/2007/29 Information Technology (IT) Systems Acceptable Use Policy http://policies.swinburne.edu.au/ppdonline/showdoc.aspx?recnum=POL/2008/34 All students are expected to respect the rights and sensibilities of their fellow students and teaching staff. This also applies in respect of the content of video and audio work submitted for assessment. The University has rigorous anti-discrimination and harassment policies and procedures. http://ppd.swinburne.edu.au/humres/AntiDiscrimination.htm Special Needs Students with disabilities who require extra time or have special requirements in examinations may seek advice from Swinburne Equity Unit http://www.swinburne.edu.au/stuserv/equity/index.html. (Telephone: +61 3 9214 8850). Students should also notify the unit Convenor (Australia) by e-mail, fax or phone. See also the Students with Disabilities and Special Needs Section of the Assessment and Appeals Policy & Procedure, at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/docs/StudentswithaDisability.pdf

Open Universities Australia

Withdraw from a unit If you need to withdraw from a unit the date of the notification is very important. See below for further information. From week 1 - 6 Please advise Open Universities Australia, of your intention to withdraw up until the end of week 6, the unit(s) will be removed from your record. From weeks 1 3 you will, however, incur an administration fee. Please refer to the OUA website https://www.open.edu.au/public/studentadmin-and-support/changing-your-study/withdrawing for these details. You will not incur a FEE HELP debt for the unit(s). Financial penalties are based on the date that Open Universities Australia receives your withdrawal request. From weeks 4-6 you will incur your fee help debt. Weeks 7-13 Please submit a withdrawal form http://www.lilydale.swinburne.edu.au/oua/withdrawal.pdf , to advise Swinburne University of Technology, Higher Education Lilydale, of your intention to withdraw from week 7 and no later than eight weeks after the start of the Study Period, the unit(s) will receive a WDFP Withdrawn, Fee Payable grade on your academic record. You will retain the FEE HELP debt for the unit(s).

If the notification of withdrawal is received after Week 8 of the Study Period, the unit(s) will receive a NLWD Not Pass, Late Withdrawal grade on your academic record. You will retain the FEE HELP debt for the unit(s).

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If you do not formally withdraw and you have submitted work, it will be assessed and a grade awarded accordingly. If no work for assessment has been submitted, a Not Assessed grade will be awarded. Refunds for withdrawal after the Census Date are available under Special Circumstances for students who have paid their registration fees upfront. Please refer to the Special Circumstances section of the Refund Guidelines in the Open Universities Australia handbook or the website www.open.edu.au for further information.

Contacts
Swinburne University of Technology, Lilydale Locked Bag 218 Lilydale VIC 3140 ouald@swin.edu.au Phone: (+613) 9215 7206 Fax: (+613) 9215 7254 Student Advisers - Open Universities Australia GPO Box 5387 Level 1, 131 Queen St., Melbourne VIC., Australia 3001 http://www.open.edu.au/contactus Phone (+61) 1300 36 36 52 Fax (+613) 8628 2955

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