HUHI 7368: Imagination and the Cosmos:
Nature, Humanity and Science to the Age of Newton



In this interdisciplinary course we will read texts of natural philosophy, popular science, history of science and literature. We will trace the development of western science and its construction of natural knowledge from the ancient world to the end of the Newtonian age (approximately 1750). Of these texts we will ask: what are "nature" and the "natural"? What is "supernatural"? How do changing definitions of these terms alter our notions of what it is to be "human" (not to mention, "male" and "female")? Do we "discover" order in the universe or do we "invent" it? What is the role of human imagination upon and within "cosmos"?

From philosophical, scientific and literary points of view, we will explore whether there was such a thing as a "Scientific Revolution," and if so, how the "revolutionary" changes in world views influenced human life on social, political and personal levels. As part of our study, we will attempt to understand how the meaning of the term "science" changes from the 16th to 18th centuries, why, and with what results. How did the relationships between, and relative values and roles of, imagination, faith and reason shift?

Through a combination of lecture, discussion, and student presentations, we will examine developments in magic and alchemy, astronomy and cosmology, and experimental science in two basic units: 1) From Medieval Spheres to the "Revolutions" of Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler; 2) New Science in the Mechanical World after Newton. NO TECHNICAL BACKGROUND IS REQUIRED and most historical background to the development of the sciences will be provided in class. Of course, individual students may find it enriching to read materials outside of class that give fuller treatment of a particular scientific development relevant to their interests and paper topics.

Throughout this course, the professor's central pedagogical concern will be to provide students with opportunities to gain and polish a wide variety of critical skills needed to succeed as professional scholars and teachers. My basic assumption is that every one in the classroom has more to learn (including the class moderator). Our goal will be to fill in as many gaps for each other as we can and help each other strengthen our knowledge bases and analyses. I aim to provide a learning environment where every student feels comfortable asking questions (even those "stupid" questions that you're afraid everyone else asked long ago) and testing out new approaches under relatively consequence-free conditions (at least relative to your first job interview!).

REQUIRED Primary Readings in literature and science (available in bookstores): REQUIRED (available on reserve): REQUIRED Secondary Readings in history and philosophy of science (in bookstores): Additional Required selections (3):
Graduate students will be required to read, review and report on 3 books selected from the following 5 pairs. These texts represent "classic" studies as well as the latest, most innovative, and most controversial research produced by current scholars of the early modern period. Recommended for further reading (available at the library or through ILL): GRADED WORK

CLASS CALENDAR

This course has been organized into two central units, with the first divided into two sections: 1A: Magic and Alchemy: the Late Medieval Animistic Universe; 1B: "New" Astronomy and Cosmology: Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler and 2: "New" Science: the Mechanical World View via Mathematics and Experimentation. Each class period will be divided into two halves (before and after a 10-15 min. break), usually with different activities or topics planned for each half.

UNIT ONE, part A: "Magic and Alchemy: the Late Medieval Animistic Universe"

wk 1: R. Jan.11:
PART 1--Intro. to Course: Structure, Expectations, Definitions. Literature and Science? Why Ask Why?
PART 2--Lecture: Background to Early Modern Cosmology: Ancient Greek to Medieval Astronomy and Cosmology

wk 2: R. Jan.18:
PART 1--Lecture: Magic and the Animistic World View
PART 2--Discuss Dr. Faustus

wk 3: R. Jan 25:
PART 1--Discuss Dr Faustus (video)
PART 2--Student reports on C.S. Lewis, The Discarded Image

wk 4: R. Feb. 1:
PARTS 1 and 2--Discuss The Alchemist
** Overview of research tools in early modern studies, in preparation for paper topic selection.

UNIT ONE, part B: "New" Astronomy and Cosmology: Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler

wk 5: R. Feb. 8:
PART 1--Lecture: The Copernican "Revolution" in Astronomy
PART 2--Discuss: Preface to De Revolutionibus and Westman, "Proof, Poetics and Patronage..."

wk 6: R. Feb. 15:
PART 1--Discuss: Sidereal Messenger
PART 2--Student reports on Option 1: Biagioli or Moss

wk 7: R. Feb. 22:
PART 1--Discuss Kepler, Somnium
PART 2--Student reports on Option 2: Kuhn or Hallyn

wk 8: R. Feb. 29:
PARTS 1 and 2--Discuss Butler and Behn

wk 9: R. Mar. 7:
PARTS 1 and 2--Discuss Donne poems
** PAPER TOPICS DUE. (1 page description with preliminary bibliography)

wk 10: R. Mar. 14: ** SPRING BREAK--NO CLASS **

UNIT TWO: "New" Science: the Mechanical World View via Mathematics and Experimentation (Descartes and Newton)

wk 11: R. Mar. 21:
PART 1--Student Reports on Option 3: Merchant or Schiebinger
PART 2--Student Reports on Option 4: Hankins or Westfall

wk 12: R. Mar. 28:
PART 1--Lecture: The Newtonian "Revolution"
PART 2--Discuss Cavendish

wk 13 R. Apr. 4:
PARTS 1 and 2----Discuss Fontenelle

wk 14: R. Apr.11:
PART 1--Discuss Pope, Essay on Man, Dunciad
PART 2--Student Reports on Option 5: Dobbs & Jacob or Markley

wk 15: R. Apr. 18: ** 18-20 pp RESEARCH PAPER DUE (will be returned with preliminary grade)
PARTS 1 and 2--Discuss Swift, Gulliver's Travels

wk 16: R. Apr 25:
PARTS 1 and 2--Discuss: Conference Style Presentations (8-10 pp oral versions due also)

wk 17: R. May 2:
FINAL REVISED RESEARCH PAPERS DUE IN MY OFFICE, BY HIGH NOON.

Last updated: May 28, 1997
Course Descriptions
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