MO4937 Charles Darwin and the Politics of Progress

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Full Year

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

60

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students in the Second Year of the Honours Programme.

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr J F M Clark

Dr J F M Clark
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr John Clark

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

'Darwin' and 'Darwinism' have left considerable historical legacies that pervade our contemporary culture. This module demonstrates how knowledge of the natural world in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries was shaped by religious, political, and social commitments; and how science, in turn, shaped general culture. Drawing upon the rich primary and secondary sources generated by the Darwin industry, this module examines progress and evolutionary theories. With reference to evolution, in general, and Charles Darwin, in particular, the module examines the implications of a belief in a constantly changing world, governed by natural laws. The module concludes with an assessment of the more recent 'Darwin wars', creationism, and Intelligent Design.

Assessment pattern

60% coursework and 40% exam

Re-assessment

New Coursework: 1 x source exercise (2,500 words) and 1 x 5,000-word essay = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 3-hour seminar, plus 1 office hour.

Scheduled learning hours

66

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

534

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.