Module SOCM016 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
SOCM016: Cultures of the Life Sciences
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Aims
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.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 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. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 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 |
| Personal and Key Skills | 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 |
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| 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
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| 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 |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay | 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 | Deadline is September 1st |
Re-assessment notes
Where you have been referred/ deferred for the essay, you will resubmit a 6000 words essay by September 1st. This will constitute 100% of the module (30 credits).
