Taught by: Dr Kathryn McHarry
Content (Structure/Organization): -
Prof McHarry organised the module such that the first half focuses on appreciating content about social aspects of science, while the second half focuses on research writing. For the first 8 weeks, readings cover various topics related to how science is social, culminating in an essay on two of the assigned readings. After that, no more readings are assigned and students instead focus on writing their own independent research paper, which takes up the rest of the semester. Students have a lot of flexibility with the research paper. A short presentation on the research accompanies the final submission.
Accessibility and Asssessment: 3
Prof McHarry teaches students how to write in a way that is easy to understand and not overly technical. Module content, i.e. assigned readings, can go quite deep into subject-specific domains, including sociology and epistemology. As an engineering freshman, I did not manage to fully appreciate about half the assigned readings.
Manageability of Workload: 3
Workload is fairly consistent with weekly readings and forum posts, averaging about 3-6 hours a week outside class for the first half of the semester. Although both readings and forum posts are no longer required past the halfway mark, workload does ramp up as students work on the final research paper. Deadlines can be quite tight during this period, but Prof McHarry does this intentionally so the class's workload wraps up by the first day of reading week.
Presence of Technical Learning:
Other than the general skills of reading research papers and writing a research paper from start to finish, the class does not aim to impart much technical skills or knowledge. What little technical knowledge there is comes in the sociology/epistemology theory portion early in the module. Appreciating this element is optional.
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
From my own experience, an A is achievable with a reasonable level of writing experience and good class participation. Certain intermediate components such as the research proposal as well as the presentation are decently easy to score in with some effort.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 3
Since I already had some writing background, I found that my writing skills improved only marginally after taking this module, though I imagine that it should be able to catch anyone up to speed for writing at the undergraduate level, regardless of their background. Where I found the most benefit and learning value was in doing research. Academic writing is a continuous learning process, and this module provides a good foundation that should be built upon in further studies.
About the Instructor:
Prof McHarry gives comprehensive lessons on writing style and structure, and provides good guidance during the writing process. Personally, I found it hard to learn how to write well through theoretical lessons, and consultations were much more useful in improving my writing skills. In terms of content knowledge, Prof McHarry is well-versed in her domain and in her assigned readings, and encourages class discussion to deepen content understanding. Although she cannot possible be familiar with the huge span of possible topics to choose from for the research paper, she usually manages to point students towards relevant resources and give helpful feedback. Prof McHarry is also a friendly, caring and nurturing prof and someone who is hard not to get along with.
Additional Remarks:
Do participate actively in Prof McHarry's classes! You'll get the most out of them that way.
Content (Structure/Organization): -
I would say that the mod has structure, she plans her lessons out. And also towards the end she gives you freedom to write almost whatever you like so that's a huge plus!
Accessibility and Asssessment: 3
Quite okay. Especially towards the end where you can write what you are interested in. But at the start of the mod, I have 0 idea what the readings were about. Not sure if its my pea sized brain or the content is just too big brain.. but was really tough for me at the start but later on the readings became more understandable.
Manageability of Workload: 3
Ugh the readings are really tough so writing the forum posts was not very nice at the start of the mod. . . The essays only have 2 to write :) lesser compared to other wct mods i think! But I spent a lot of time on this mod because I was lost on the readings .... and later lost on what the heck to write..
Presence of Technical Learning:
Erm ... no? Well I guess you can now read scientific journals? And u know recent scientific developments so u have more big brain topics to talk about to wow ppl??
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
Haha I didn't do well... I think she may be harsher since my friends also didn't do super well?? Erm I have no idea how she grades really.. we only know the grade for one essay, the rest idk?? while she does tell us what she looks out for, when it comes to essay consultations, she doesn't say what she really wants to see in the essay, instead she points out stuff like formatting and grammar, rather than the real issue (like the para wasn't adequately substantiated with certain examples..). Feel like we could have done better if she was more transparent with her expectations??
Learning Value/Recommendation: 3
Well I think I have learnt a bit on how to write??And we learn about science and tech which is always useful??
About the Instructor:
Pro:
She is very knowledgeable! She is very well versed in well the social life of science so literally there isn't a topic she has never heard of. She is engaging so u not bored, maybe my brain not smart enough but sometimes I a bit lost.. still I feel like I absorbed some big brain energy somewhere..
Con:
Prof promises a lot, but honestly I am not very sure how much I learnt.. especially for writing, I feel like a lot comes from yourself... like ur innate ability to write rather than her improving u so if u potato, u prob emerge out as still potato.
Additional Comments/Word of Advice:
Am slightly salty here so please read this review with more than a pinch of salt!!
If you love science and want to know more about the social aspects of it, this mod is for u!! Go take this! Prof is nice and understanding.
Name: Ong Wee, Marcus (Telegram Handle: @mehcoos)
Content (Structure/Organization): -
The module is well-structured and well flashed out in the syllabus. The lesson and content that are taught also flows really well as each lesson will make links to content from previous lessons. Some teaching points may not be clear due to the vast scope of content that is taught during the module.
Accessibility and Asssessment: 5
This module is highly accessible to everyone. The term "science" may seem to cater to mainly STEM major students but the prof will eventually introduce how broad the term is and hence, it is not actually heavily into STEM topics.
Manageability of Workload: 3
Rather low. There are some weekly forum posts to do. There are also readings to do every lesson. There are only 2 essays to write compared to the normal 3.
Presence of Technical Learning:
The Prof will start all the way from the bottom and will teach you how to read, write and choose your sources!
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
The Prof hands out grades fairly and isn't too harsh and liberal at the same time.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 4
I re-learnt how to read and write my essays :)
About the Instructor:
Knowledgeable and interesting. She will actively engage everyone in class and her lesson flows really well!
Additional Comments/Word of Advice:
A nice intro mod! :D
Name: Rishabh Anand (Telegram Handle: @rishbob)
Content (Structure/Organization): -
Very structured. There was no point in time when I was confused on what was going on. The class has weekly deliverables and a clear, fully-planned schedule from start to end.
Accessibility and Asssessment: 5
Very accessible. Not a huge fan of the philiosophy behind science but the prof made it very interesting. No prereqs needed
Manageability of Workload: 4
Barely any workload during non-midterm / non-finals period. Just a weekly reading and 150-word mini write-up. Be prepared to pull all-nighters during the 2 major essay submission periods (more so during the finals).
Presence of Technical Learning:
Writing a research paper is the best takeaway you can get from this module. If you pay attention to class material, it's possible to produce a good one.
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
It's possible to get an A! If you can write well and use what you learn in class to your writings, you can walk out unscathed.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 5
Very useful. The things taught (aside from the main "social life of science" stuff) is very useful like writing, reading, and evaluating large bodies of text
About the Instructor:
The best professor I've been taught by. She brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the class and includes everyone in the conversation. 11/10 would recommend
Additional Comments/Word of Advice:
A nice intro mod! :D
Name: Samyukta Sounderraman (Telegram Handle: @samyuktas)
Content (Structure/Organization): -
Expectations were set right at the beginning, and you are constantly reminded of them throughout the lessons. I was never confused on what I had to do, or what was coming up next.
Accessibility and Asssessment: 5
Very little background knowledge is needed, since the module takes you in a completely different direction from anything you’ve learned at school.
Manageability of Workload: 4
Barely any workload during non-midterm / non-finals period. Just a weekly reading and 150-word mini write-up. Be prepared to pull all-nighters during the 2 major essay submission periods (more so during the finals).
Presence of Technical Learning:
You gain two main things from this module- first, a whole different set of tools to look at how knowledge is acquired, disseminated and the flaws in the process. Second, you learn how to read and analyse academic writings, as well as how to write your on.
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
It's possible to get an A! If you can write well and use what you learn in class to your writings, you can walk out unscathed.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 5
If you’re interested in learning about everything and anything under the Sun, this is the course for you. Through the course, we switched from discussing ancient philosophers, to hierarchies in hospitals, to Russian-US scientific collaborations in Chernobyl. You leave the module with a completely different worldview and a new set of tools to dissect and analyse the world around you.
About the Instructor:
Prof McHarry always brings so much energy to the class, its impossible not to get excited about the content you’re learning about. She makes you genuinely interested and invested in the subject. Not only that, but she’s always happy to talk to you outside class, whether its on how to improve your essay or about implications of the coursework. She’s one of the best teachers I’ve ever had, and she makes this module completely worth all the effort.
Additional Comments/Word of Advice:
One of the most interesting and engaging classes I’ve ever taken. I would recommend this to everyone!