Cultures of the Life Sciences
| Module title | Cultures of the Life Sciences |
|---|---|
| Module code | SOCM016 |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor John Dupre (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
On this module, you will receive a thorough introduction to contemporary and historical practices in the biological and biomedical sciences. You will explore the ways in which biological knowledge is produced, from the collection and description of species in natural history to the use of models, computation, digital publishing and data-sharing in contemporary biotechnology. You will investigate the relation between the knowledge produced within the biomedical sciences and the infrastructures, legal norms, instruments, institutions and socio-historical conditions under which such knowledge is generated. As a result, you will be able to critically assess the relevance of material, social and economic conditions for the production and future of biomedical knowledge.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module provides a thorough introduction to contemporary and historical practices in the biological and biomedical sciences, and will draw on scientific, philosophical, historical and sociological literature to do so. This module focuses on the ways in which biological knowledge is produced, from the collection and description of species in natural history to the use of models, computation, digital publishing and data-sharing in contemporary biotechnology. Students will investigate the relation between the knowledge produced within the biomedical sciences and the infrastructures, legal norms, instruments, institutions and socio-historical conditions under which such knowledge is achieved. Important historical developments will be dealt with in relation to contemporary shifts in biological practice and theory. As a result, students will be able to critically assess the relevance of material, social and economic conditions for the production and future of biomedical knowledge.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate an understanding of many of the basic conceptual issues and challenges at stake in the life sciences,
- 2. demonstrate in writing an ability to philosophically analyse the ways in which these problems have been and/or could be addressed
- 3. demonstrate in writing an ability to understand both contemporary and historical aspects of biology in a wide conceptual context and to think across discipline-specific boundaries.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. demonstrate in writing and orally a well-developed ability to understand and analyse scientific theories and philosophical arguments
- 5. demonstrate in writing and orally an understanding of the role and importance of detailed empirical work for philosophical understanding
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. demonstrate an independent ability to construct their own arguments and critically evaluate the ideas and arguments of others, both orally and in writing
- 7. demonstrate in writing able to show they have acquired precision of thought and expression in the analysis and formulation of complex problems. Students will also be able to identify and locate appropriate literature, and write cogent and convincing essay
Syllabus plan
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
- Natural history and the role of classification in biology
- Experimental practices
- Modelling practices
- Data sharing and intellectual property
- Publishing practices
- The role of concepts such as ‘gene’
- Bioinformatics and the role of computers in biology
- Sociopolitics of biology
- Relations between biology and medicine
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | 277 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| scheduled learning activity | 22 | 11 x 2 hour lectures |
| scheduled learning activity | 1 | 1 hour writing tutorial (in preparation for essay writing) |
| Guided independent study | 110 | 11 x 10 hours of course readings |
| Guided independent study | 40 | Preparation of presentation |
| Guided independent study | 127 | Reading/research for and writing of essay |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft plan of the essay | 1000 words | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 | Oral feedback |
| Presentation | 15 minutes | 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 | Oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 100 | 6000 words | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (6000 words) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 | August/September reassessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Where you have been referred/ deferred for the essay, you will resubmit a 6000 words essay. This will constitute 100% of the module (30 credits).
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic readings:
Atkinson, P, Glasner, P and Lock, M (2009) Handbook of Genetics and Society. Routledge.
Dupre, J (1993) The Disorder of Things. Cambridge University Press.
Grene, M. & Depew, D. (2004). The philosophy of biology. Cambridge: CUP.
Mueller-Wille, S and Rheinberger, H (2012) A Conceptual History of Heredity. Chicago University Press.
Sarkar, S., & Plutynski, A., Eds. (2008). A companion to the philosophy of biology. Oxford: Blackwell.
Wimsatt, W. (2007). Re-engineering philosophy for limited beings. Harvard: HUP.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Web based and electronic resources:
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: http://plato.stanford.edu/
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 12/01/2012 |
| Last revision date | 09/09/2021 |
