Overview
HIST 404 is designed primarily for science students in the last year of a BSc program, and for history students in the last year of a BA (History) program. As such, HIST 404 uses a range of primary and secondary materials as well as visual media, notably, the thirteen episodes that make up the lecture series A History of Science in Society.
Learning outcomes
After completing HIST 404 you should be able to
- recognize, interpret, and contextualize the main historical currents and developments in the history of science.
- understand and apply different approaches to the study of science and the scientific method.
- describe and discuss the connections between science and society.
Evaluation
To receive credit for HIST 404, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent) and a grade of at least 50 percent or better on the final examination. The weighting of the course assignments is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 | 15% |
| Assignment 2 | 20% |
| Assignment 3 | 25% |
| Final Exam | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Alic, Margaret. Hypatia’s Heritage: A History of Women in Science from Antiquity to the Late Nineteenth Century. London: The Women’s Press, 1986.
Ede, Andrew, and Lesley B. Cormack. A History of Science in Society: From Philosophy to Utility. Toronto: U of Toronto P, 2009.
Watson, James D. The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of The Structure of DNA. New York: Touchstone Edition, 2001.
Other Materials
All other course materials will be found at your online course site. Key course materials include the Course Information manual, the Study Guide, and various assignments.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the HIST 404 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent)on the examination.
Challenge for credit course registration form