Dr. Darleen Pryds Office: Lane Hall 353
Center for Interdisicplinary Studies tel. 231-7004
Virginia Tech. Office Hours: T, Th. 11-12:00
e-mail: dpryds@vt.edu and by appointment
webpage: http://www.cis.vt.edu/fac/pryds/default.html
History of Science, part I
History 3705
Fall, 1988
This course is designed as an introduction to the History of Science in the Western world from the earliest evidence of scientific inquiry through the Scientific Revolution. Throughout the course emphasis will be placed on what kinds of questions scholars ask to understand and interpret the past. The course is divided into units which follow a chronological scheme from the Ancient World (up to c. 400 c.e.) through the Medieval World (c.400-1500) to the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution (c.1500-1700). Each unit focuses on a series of broad questions you should be able to answer in preparation for exams. More detailed Study Guides will be issued prior to each exam.
Plagiarism is not tolerated in this class and will be grounds for a final grade of F. Please consult the statement on Plagiarism prepared for the Virginia Tech. First-Year Writing Program: http://athena.english.vt.edu/~1styear/plagiarism.html
All students taking this class are expected to follow the university's honor code. The code can be accessed on the Internet: http://www.vt.edu/honorsystem/UgradHonor.html
As a general policy, I do not accept late assignments without a doctor's notice of illness or a letter from the Dean of Students documenting a serious problem. You MUST contact the professor if you are going to turn an assignment in late. Without prior notification, I will not accept any late work.
My Grading Policy and Teaching Philosophy are posted on my web site, where you will also find the syllabus, study guides, and selected readings.
Your grade will be based on the following assignments: One Midterm Exam (20%); One Final Exam (30%); One Research Paper of 15-20 pages (30%); and a series of quizzes, in-class writing assignments, short homework writing assignments, and class participation 20%).
Required Textbooks:
Plato, Timaeus
R. Dales, Scientific Achievement of the Middle Ages
D. Lindberg, Beginnings of Western Science
A. R. Hall, Revolution in Science, 1500-1750
Stahl, W., ed., Commentary on the Dream of Scipio by Macrobius
Langford, J. Galileo, Science and the Church
Reading Packet at Kopy Korner
A package of 4x6 Index Cards to be used for various writing assignments, quizzes and exercises. Please always have at least five (5) with you in class.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Midterm: October 15
Final: Wednesday, December 16 at 4:25-6:25 p.m.
Quizzes as announced in class and unannounced
Term Paper and related assignments:
Tuesday, September 15: Topic and Five Bibliographic References
Thursday, October 1: Statement of Research Question to be addressed in your paper
Tuesday, October 20: Writing Workshop
Tuesday, October 27: Thesis Statement, Outline, and Ten Bibliographic references
Thursday, November 12: Papers Due. NO EXTENSIONS WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION
Unit I: Introduction and the Earliest Evidence of Scientific Inquiry
What is the History of Science?
What is the Nature of Scientific Inquiry?
How does the Form of Scientific Inquiry affect the Content?
How does Culture affect Science?
What are the Broader Implications of Scientific Thought?
What is Science?
What is the Difference between Science and Technology?
READING: Lindberg, chapter 1
Unit II: Greek Science
What is the Relationship between Philosophy, Religion, and Science in Greek Thought?
How are a Societyí s ideas concerning Anthropology, Cosmology, and Religion affected by Scientific Thought?
How does Patronage (Financial Support) affect Scientific Inquiry?
What were the Goals of Ancient Medicine? How were they Achieved?
READING: Lindberg, chapters 2-6; Plato, Timaeus ; Aristotle, selections on webpage and Reading Packet; misc. other selections on webpage.
Unit III: Roman Science
What is the Difference between Original Scientific Research and Compilations of Research already done?
What use are Encyclopedias in Scientific Thought?
How was Scientific Activity Financially Supported?
Why was there a Tension between early Christians and the Tradition of Natural Philosophy?
READING: Lindberg, chapter 7; Commentary on the Dream of Scipio by Macrobius
Unit IV: Islam
How and Why did Muslims view Natural Philosophy differently than Christians?
What were the Institutional Settings of Scientific Education and Research in Islam?
Why was Islamic Science more developed than Western European Science?
What is the relationship between Islamic Science and Ancient Greek Science?
How did the Islamic Influence Western European Science?
READING: Lindberg, chapter 8; selections of texts on webpage.
Unit V: Medieval European Science
How was Education, including Scientific Education, Structured and Supported?
What Conflicts Existed between Greek/Islamic Thought and Christian Thought in the West?
What is the Relationship between Practical and Theoretical Science?
How did Medieval Intellectuals Structure their Physical World and What do these Theories Reveal about Medieval Culture?
Who practiced Medicine and How? When did Medicine develop into a Profession and How did it develop into a Profession? What changes in Medical Practice did this cause?
Theology was Considered the "Queen of the Sciences" in Medieval Thought. In what way is Theology a Science?
What was the relationship between Scientific research and the Church in the Middle Ages?
What was the Influence of Aristotle on Medieval Science?
READING: Lindberg, chapters 9-14; R. Dales, Scientific Achievement; selected texts from the webpage and reading Packet.
Unit VI: Early Modern Europe, c. 1500 to 1750
Why is it called Scientific "Revolution"? Was it really a "Revolution"? How have Historians Viewed the Scientific Revolution?
How did Science change from Ancient and Medieval Science? How did Methods Change?
What was the Influence of Renaissance Humanism on the Emergence of Modern Science?
What was the Influence of the Printing Press on Science?
Who were Patrons of the New Science?
What was the Influence, if any, of the Protestant Reformation on Science?
What were the Theological and Religious Implications of Scientific Discoveries?
What are the Long Term Consequences of the Scientific Revolution?
What were the Results of the Professionalization of Science?
In what ways was Copernicus "Revolutionary" and in what ways was he "Traditional" or "Conservative?"
What were the Major Changes in Cosmological Views Caused by Galileoís Discoveries?
What Changes Occurred in Medical Practice and Research once Medicine was Professionalized?
READING: Hall, chapters 1-14 and various documents from web and Reading Packet.