HST 3337 Technology and Western Civilization
Why was botany required in Renaissance medical schools?
Was Galileo a heretic or just a bad PR man?
Was everyone who "believed" in Darwinian evolution an atheist? Was Darwin?
Where did Darwin think "morals" came from?
Does building a better mousetrap (loom, steam engine, etc.) always mean better?
lives for everyone, or can one person's bright idea ruin half a nation?
***
This course will survey the development of major concepts, discoveries, and methods
in physical and biological sciences, natural history, geology, evolution, and technology with
emphasis on the early modern and modern periods. After briefly providing background in
prehistoric, Mesopotamian, Greek, Roman and Islamic attempts to understand nature, we will
focus on the emergence of science and technology during and after the Scientific Revolution in
European and American society. Emphasis will be given to the development of major theories
about the natural world, the cultural settings in which these theories arose, and the effects of
scientific knowledge upon human ideas and actions. Although not every type of scientific
activity will be emphasized equally in every time period, I will make every effort to tailor the
course material to students' interests.
Additionally, the course will explore the participation of women in science,
interrelations of science and religion, critiques against science and technology, bias in
scientific work, the nature of scientific "personalities," as well as popular conceptions and
misconceptions of science and scientists.
Each "mega" class will be divided into 2 parts, with a refreshment break inbetween.
During the first few weeks, the class format will be primarily lecture. We will then blend
lecture with discussion, concluding with lively discussions of controversial contemporary
issues in science, technology and society, including: animal rights, genetic engineering,
creationism etc.
TEXTS: WE WILL READ SELECTED CHAPTERS OF THE FOLLOWING
- Westfall, R.S. Construction of Modern Science
- Hankins. Science in the Enlightenment
- Appleman, P. (ed.) Darwin. A Norton Critical Reader
- Cardwell. Turning Points in Western Technology
- Watson. Double Helix (Norton)
- Packet on library reserve will supplement 18th, 19th and 20th C. material
GRADING:
- 20% ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
- 40% EACH: MIDTERM AND NONCUMULATIVE FINAL
(Part SHORT essay, part "objective")
- *** EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER***
Last updated: May 27, 1997
Course Descriptions
Pamela Gossin's main page