LIT 3319: Literature of the Scientific Revolution
Human Explorations of Science and Nature through Imagination, Creativity and Humor



Despite many claims to the contrary, we are not the first generation to experience social changes brought about by the development of technology, philosophical and religious quandaries inspired by new scientific theories of nature, and personal doubts regarding the meaning of life in the cosmos -- who am I? is God out there? what can I do? why should I care? This course will explore a wide range of responses that nonscientists (poets, playwrights and other writers) created in light of the "revolutionary" changes in world views generated by developments in astronomy and natural science from the time of Copernicus (1543) to the end of the "Newtonian" age (for our purposes, roughly 1750s).

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 "science" in its various forms influence individuals, communities, societies? How did the relationship between human knowledge and human faith change during this time? Most importantly, how did human beings bring their imaginations and senses of adventure, humor, and creativity to bear upon the most serious questions about human existence and its value? Our readings will present us with exciting and stimulating syntheses of love, wit, sex, satire, science fiction, and romance with knowledge of the natural world, astronomy, cosmology and early experimental science. Who knows, by undertaking this "excellent adventure" into the past, we may even get some ideas about how to deal with the dilemmas of the coming 21st century!

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. Readings will be divided into three 4-5 week-long topical units, including:

RE-INVENTING NATURE NEW ASTRONOMY AND COSMOLOGY EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCE AND NEWTONIANISM Recommended for further reading (available at the library or through ILL): GRADED WORK
CLASS CALENDAR

This course has been organized into three units: RE-INVENTING NATURE, NEW ASTRONOMY AND COSMOLOGY and EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCE AND NEWTONIANISM. 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: RE-INVENTING NATURE
wk1: 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:
PARTS 1 & 2-- Video of dramatic production of Dr. Faustus

wk 4: R. Feb. 1:
PARTS 1 & 2-- Discuss The Alchemist

wk 5: R. Feb. 8:
PARTS 1 & 2-- Discuss The Tempest
** REVIEW FOR 1st EXAM

UNIT TWO: NEW ASTRONOMY AND COSMOLOGY
wk 6: R. Feb. 15:
PART 1-- FIRST EXAM OVER UNIT ONE
PART 2-- Lecture: The Copernican "Revolution" in Astronomy

wk 7: R. Feb. 22:
PARTS 1 & 2-- Discuss Kepler, Somnium (on reserve in library

)
wk 8: R. Feb. 29:
PARTS 1 & 2-- Discuss Butler and Behn (both on reserve).

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

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

wk 11: R. Mar. 21:
PARTS 1 & 2-- PAPERS OVER UNIT TWO DUE / STUDENT PRESENTATIONS

UNIT THREE: EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCE AND NEWTONIANISM
wk 12: R. Mar. 28:
PART 1-- Lecture: The Newtonian "Revolution"
PART 2-- Discuss Thomson's "To the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton" (on reserve)

wk 13: R. Apr. 4:
PARTS 1 & 2-- Discuss Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds

wk 14: R. Apr.11:
PARTS 1 & 2-- Discuss Shadwell, The Virtuoso

wk 15: R. Apr. 18:
PARTS 1 & 2-- Discuss Swift, Gulliver's Travels

wk 16: R. Apr 25:
PARTS 1 & 2-- Video of GT (if available) and REVIEW FOR "FINAL" UNIT EXAM

wk 17: R. May 2: UNIT EXAM OVER THIRD UNIT TAKEN AS FINAL

Last updated: May 27, 1997
Course Descriptions
Pamela Gossin's main page