Overview

This unit explores the relationship between scientific, technological and human development from the industrial revolution to the digital age and beyond from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Students will be introduced to conceptual frameworks that explain the ways in which technological disruption transforms societies, simultaneously creating opportunities for incredible human advancement whilst unleashing potentially catastrophic consequences

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Pathways Teaching 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
20-October-2025
30-January-2026
Last self-enrolment date
02-November-2025
Census date
14-November-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
12-December-2025
Results released date
10-February-2026
Pathways Teaching 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
23-February-2026
29-May-2026
Last self-enrolment date
08-March-2026
Census date
24-March-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
14-April-2026
Results released date
09-June-2026
Pathways Teaching 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
22-June-2026
25-September-2026
Last self-enrolment date
05-July-2026
Census date
21-July-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
11-August-2026
Results released date
06-October-2026
Pathways Teaching 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
19-October-2026
29-January-2027
Last self-enrolment date
01-November-2026
Census date
17-November-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
15-December-2026
Results released date
09-February-2027

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  1. Understand and explain competing perspectives concerning the relationship between scientific, technological and human development
  2. Critically reflect on the relationship between technology, identity, and self
  3. Perform logical analysis and develop well-informed arguments
  4. Critically reflect on and evaluate their own learning experience
  5. Communicate ideas and critically evaluate arguments advanced by others

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Lecture		 2.00  12 weeks  24
On-campus
Tutorial 1		 2.00  12 weeks  24
On-campus
Tutorial 2		 2.00  12 weeks  24
Unspecified Learning Activities
Independent Learning		 6.50  12 weeks  78
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
BlogIndividual 25 - 35% 1,2,3,4,5 
EssayIndividual 40 - 60% 1,2,3,4,5 
ReflectionIndividual 15 - 25% 2,3,4,5 

Content

  • Understanding technological change and social development 
  • Technology, Identity and the Self 
  • Revolutions: From Agricultural to Industrial to Digital 
  • Technology, Risk and Opportunity The ethics of scientific and technological innovation 
  • Technological progress and contemporary challenges 
  • Robotics, automation and their implications 
  • Artificial Intelligence and human futures 

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.