NK-ApprovedCourseOutline

8/3/2019 NK-ApprovedCourseOutline

1/4

Course Outline Issued and Correct as at: 27 August 2010 Page 1 of 4

Faculty of Education and ArtsSchool of Humanities & Social Science

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/school/hss/

Singapore CampusUON Singapore Pte Ltd

355 Jalan Bukit Ho SweeBlock B, 4th Floor, Room 406/407

Singapore 169567Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 5:30pm

Phone: +65 6273 2125Fax: +65 6273 2126

Campus: Singapore

Course Coordinator: Dr. Yin GaoThe University of Newcastle, AustraliaPh: 61 2 49215191Fax: 61 2 49216933Email: [email protected]

Lecturer: Professor N. KrishnamurthyEmail: [email protected]: www.profkrishna.com

PSB Program Executive: Mr Aloysius TanPSB Academy Henderson Campus2985 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 159457Email: [email protected]

PHIL3910 - Technology and Human ValuesCourse Outline

Semester Trimester 3 - 2011Unit Weighting 10Teaching Methods: Lecture and Tutorial

Brief Course Description

Teaches the nature and systematic analysis of normative design decisions, in particular in engineering, inthe context of a systems dynamic approach to modelling. It sets that study in a larger framework of analysisof global commercial, political and social systems and their functioning, and of the professional ethics thatflow from that.

Course Objectives

(1) to give students a knowledge of the nature and basic principles of normative design decisions, inparticular in engineering, in the context of a systems dynamic approach to modelling.


2/4


(2) to impart to students the skills required for them to be able to engage in critical assessment of designpractice and in design problem solving that meets larger societal expectations as well as those of goodengineering design.

(3) to enable students to effectively communicate their understanding and to interact effectively so as toproblem solve with diverse communal groups.

(4) to provide students a critical appreciation of the larger framework of global commercial, political andsocial systems within which engineering practice operates, and of the professional ethics that flow fromthat.

Course ContentThe course covers the nature of norms and their application, basic principles of dynamic systems and of thechoice of systems models and analyses and their normative dimensions (e.g. complex system dynamics andits implications on system design as well as societal systems), analyses of major societal systems and theirnormative character and impacts, and an introduction to principled professional ethics.

Contact Hours

Lecture for 2 Hours per week for 12 weeksTutorial for 1 Hours per week for 12 weeksFor particular dates and times refer to course guide available on Blackboard.

Learning Materials/Texts:

Lecture Notes: Hooker and Herfel, "Technology and Human Values", Course Notes, University of Newcastle,available from the Blackboard.

Please download and print your own copy; you will be expected to have it in class.

Additional material beyond these notes, from the lecture slides.

(One more text, to be announced)

Secondary Texts (for reference as suggested in class):

H. Petroski, "To Engineer is Human", St. Martin's Press, 247p., 1985

S.C. Florman, "The Civilized Engineer", St. Martin's Press, 258p, 1988

J. Porritt, "Capitalism -- As if the Earth Mattered", EarthScan, 2005

W. Martin and R. Schinzinger, "Introduction to Engineering Ethics", McGraw-Hill

Supplementary Readings:

Relevant readings will be electronically available from Shortloan. Full references follow:See http://library.newcastle.edu.au/search/?searchtype=r&searcharg=phil3910

Specific readings will be announced and uploaded during the course. Students will be held responsible forthe material in them.

Assessment Items

Essays / WrittenAssignments

Mid-term Test, 20%, is to help students start on normative, not just factual,analysis of engineering design problems, and will also sharpen critical andcommunication skills.

Essays / WrittenAssignments

Group Project (3,000-4,000 words), 20%, provides opportunity to develop anextended normative design analysis and consists of 3-5 students gettingtogether to produce a coherent account on one topic. This will demonstratethe application of both knowledge and skills, and provide experience in

performing multi-tasking group work, and presenting a report audio-visually.


3/4


Group/tutorialparticipation andcontribution

Tutorial Participation, 10%, allows assessment and feedback on developingknowledge of subject and on developing critical capacity to analyse andargue issues in the subject. Attendance will be taken and tutors will assesscontribution to discussion.

Examination:Formal

Examination, (2 hours), 50%, evaluates the depth and systematicity ofstudent understanding of basic principles and how to apply them.

Assumed Knowledge60 units of successfully completed subjects

Group Work, Peer and/or Self-AssessmentThe assessment in this course involves group work/peer and/or self-assessment.Refer - http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policylibrary/000650.html

Group Project

The group project is designed to provide an opportunity for students to develop an extended normativedesign analysis, demonstrating the application of both knowledge and skill, and providing experience inperforming multi-tasking group work, in relation to the recommended primary and secondary text books.

The class will be divided by the lecturer into groups such that each group will consist either of 3 or 4students, or of 4 or 5 students for the bigger classes.

The objective of the group project is to provide a normative discussion of social and economic systemdesign, policy design etc., presented in the recommended primary and secondary text books. This willinclude both a written report and a group oral presentation.

In general, Group Project reports should address the following issues: What values underlie social and economic system design and policy design? What moral, social, political, economic and environmental issues must be decided before a reasoned

judgment of acceptability can be made? How should environmental quality, economic value, and quality of life be taken into account in the design

of social and economic systems?

How should conflicts among such considerations be dealt with? Do the author(s) of the (specified) text considered provide an effective ethical framework (or adequateethical assumptions or principles) for making system design decisions?

All members of the group will take equal responsibility for all work on the group project and development ofthe group report. Members should be able to identify the specific portions for which they were individuallyresponsible, in their interim reports.

Students are encouraged to develop their own explicit normative criteria for the evaluation of the their ownand others' work, but should include completeness of addressing the assignment question, coherence ofoverall report, clarity of argument and report structure, and effectiveness of demonstrating mastery of keyconcepts presented in the course.

Of the 20 marks assigned for the Group Project and presentation, 18 marks earned by the Group report andpresentation will be allocated to all the members of the group, and the last 2 marks will be awarded on the

basis of individual performance during the presentation.

Group project reports must be between 3000 and 4000 words. It will be the students responsibility to checkthe standard word count and adjust their submissions accordingly. Too short and too long reports will bepenalised with a reduction in marks.

The report should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced on both sides of A4 paper, with 1in. margin all around.

The report must be divided into sections, separated by clearly labelled section headings in bold type.Sections must be separated by an extra line space. It must include an Introduction and a Conclusion section.No single section (or sub-section) should be longer than 1000 words.

The introductory section should contain an outline of the rest of the report and it should also include asummary of the main points in each section.

Caution: The final submission must be an integrated report, and not a stringing together of different topics bythe different members. Fragmented and repetitive reports will be downgraded accordingly.


4/4


Suggestions for Organisation of Group Project

The following is a suggested format for organisation of group activity:

1. At least six group meetings may be required:

2. First meeting will be organisational, decision on scope of project, and allocation of responsibilities,

which must be clearly documented to avoid later problems. The group will select a group leader andco-leader. The group leader will take responsibility for submissions and serve as contact point for thelecturer. The group leader will also be initially responsible for resolving conflicts within the group.Where conflicts cannot be resolved within the group, individuals may ask for assistance from thelecturer. The co-leader will take over as and when necessary in the group leaders absence orinability.

3. Three meetings to share each members progress and assign integration and reportingresponsibilities. At least one of these meetings should take place during timetabled class time sothat the group can discuss with the lecturer the approach that they intend to take in addressing theassignment question. Students are encouraged to discuss the assignment with the lecturerthroughout the planning process.

4. One meeting to put together the group report and presentation, and assign final documentation and

development duties for presentation.5. A final meeting to review, assign individual participation, and rehearse the presentation.

Online Tutorial Registration:

Students are required to enrol in the Lecture and Tutorial for this course via the Online Registration system.Refer - http://www.newcastle.edu.au/study/enrolment/regdates.htmlNB: Registrations close at the end of week 2 of semester.

Studentmail and Blackboard: Refer - www.blackboard.newcastle.edu.au/

This course uses Blackboard and studentmail to contact students, so you are advised to keep your emailaccounts within the quota to ensure you receive essential messages. To receive an expedited response to

queries, post questions on the Blackboard discussion forum if there is one, or if emailing staff directly use thecourse code in the subject line of your email. Students are advised to check their studentmail and the courseBlackboard site on a weekly basis.

Important Additional Information

Details about the following topics are available on your course Blackboard site (where relevant). Refer -www.blackboard.newcastle.edu.au/

Written Assignment Presentation and Submission Details

Online copy submission to Turnitin

Penalties for Late Assignments

Special Circumstances No Assignment Re-submission

Re-marks & Moderations

Return of Assignments

Preferred Referencing Style Student Representatives

Student Communication

Essential Online Information for Students_____

NK-ApprovedCourseOutline

Documents

Transcript of NK-ApprovedCourseOutline