SESC3310 — Social Issues in Science and Technology

COURSE COORDINATION

Coordinator :	Mr Robert Parker
Contact Details :	Tel : 0431481703   •   Fax : (+612)93856190   •   Email : r.parker@unsw.edu.au

DELIVERY DETAILS		[ Current Schedules and Locations ]

Mode	Session	Type
On campus	1	session

COURSE DETAILS
Units of Credit :	3
Description :	This subject is an "Objective 5" course for higher education that concentrates on the broader context of social responsibility, ethical behaviour & professional practice in which the Engineer or Scientist operates. It contemplates the personal and social space outside the tightly-bounded domain of the technological and business activity of your profession, to where the immediate and longer term consequences are felt. It examines the values and principles which underpin the role of the technologist that can influence future directions and decisions. In short, it a practical ethics course for applied scientists. This course is taught by a combination of: Group Work Tutorials to analyse how preferences are exercised and choices are made, by using different strategies Lectures with detailed Notes and Case Study readings Class Presentations; and an Essay It covers four major topic areas: Ethical Behaviour Environmental Responsibility Occupational Health, Safety & Liability and Controlling the Effects of Future Technologies.

ASSESSMENT
Details Due Date Weight Tutorial Submissions Weeks 2,3,5,6,8,9,11,12 40% Essay Week 11 40% Take Home Assessments Week 2,5,8,11 20%

COURSE SCHEDULE
Week: 1 :	Lecture: Introduction and Professional Practice and Ethical Behaviour issues
Week: 2 :	Tutorial: Ethical Dilemmas – Take-Home Assessment #1 due, marked & returned
Week: 3 :	Tutorial: Proactive Ethics
Week: 4 :	Lecture: Environmental Responsibility and Sustainability issues
Week: 5 :	Tutorial: Environmental Dilemmas – Take-Home Assessment #2 due, marked & returned
Week: 6 :	Tutorial: Environmental Decision Making
Week: 7 :	Lecture: Occupational Health, Safety and Legal Liability
Week: 8 :	Tutorial: Safety Role Play – Take-Home Assessment #3 due, marked & returned
Week: 9 :	Tutorial: Safety Management Planning and options
Week: 10 :	Lecture: Control of Current and Future Technology issues
Week: 11 :	Essay Due – Submission via WebCT Tutorial: Control of Technology #1 – Take-Home Assessment #4 due, marked & returned
Week: 12 :	Tutorial: Control of Technology #2 – General Discussion about Essay submissions Tutorial returned – Essays returned via WebCT

LEARNING RESOURCES
The University of New South Wales provides a range of resources to help students develop their skills and to realise their full potential. The Learning Centre, located at the entrance to the Library provides guidance material, which is also available on-line.
	The University also provides academic orientation programs called MyStart and ReStart for both new and returning students to help them in their transitions into academia..