This unit encourages students to consider the nature of change and progress in different fields of human experience.
Changes in human behaviour have enormous consequences for the individual and society. These should be examined from a developmental point of view, as well as through the influence of different forms of moral reasoning. Students should have some grasp of personal, national and international value systems.
Progress happens when humans develop new ideas and students should examine how these arise in three major areas of human activity: art, science and technology. They should consider some aspects of the Renaissance, and understand the significance of the Enlightenment.
They should also have some idea of the significance of the Industrial Revolution, and its consequences for the present day. This may be illustrated by reference to mass production and transport.
Students should also examine some potentially revolutionary modern technologies, such as medical advances in cloning and genetics. The ethical background of such changes should be considered.
This unit asks students to examine the ways in
which we measure change and progress in society and the
implications of making these measures.
Part A - Does the World have to Change?
Students will gain an understanding of:
1 how change in the environment is unavoidable since the universe is a dynamic system.
2 the relationship between technological, environmental and social change.
3 changes leading to improvements
in the human condition; changes brought about by human choice in
culture and ideology.
Part B - How do New Ideas Come About?
Students will gain an understanding of:
1 changes in human understanding of the world brought about by the Renaissance and the Enlightenment; the role of education.
2 creativity and innovation in the arts and technology.
3 the nature of scientific research; the importance of collaboration and cooperation; the generation of new, revolutionary theories.
Part C - How have Inventions Affected Society?
Students will gain an understanding of:
1 technological and social changes arising as part of the Industrial Revolution, eg new energy and power sources; mechanisation of farming, manufacturing and mass transport; changes in employment and population; redistribution from rural to urban.
2 cultural, social and environmental changes resulting from electrification and the spread of private transport during the 20th century, eg domestic appliances; radio, TV and other mass media;the internet; public and private transport systems; environmental issues.
3 modern medical advances, ethics
and morality, eg ethical issues relating to medical research,
allocation of resources, religious beliefs.
Part D - How do Changes Come About in Social Attitudes?
Students will gain an understanding of:
1 human relationships and the measurement of behaviour; social conformity and conflict between individuals and within societies;changes in male and female roles.
2 sources of moral reasoning and their impact on issues such as crime and punishment, euthanasia, abortion and working conditions in employment; influence of morality and the media on human behaviour; equality and inequality.
3 how different values come to prevail in the world at the same time;internationalism and the United Nations; roles of government;human rights; changes in moral reasoning (eg attitudes to slavery).
Part E - How and Why do we Measure Changes in Society?
Students will gain an understanding of:
1 aspects of society open to measurement and the limitations and advantages of quantitative and qualitative research.
2 the application of measurement to changes in society.
3 evidence of change in culture
and society (eg the Census); the individual and society - issues of
control and regulation.
