HISTORY OF
SCIENCE: ORIGINS TO NEWTON
Dr Robert A. Hatch - Office - 226 Keene-Flint
Hall - 392-0271
HIS 3463 (1557X) - Th-E-1-3 (7.00-10.00pm)
119 Keene-Flint Hall - Autumn 2009
In
this course we survey changes and developments in European science
(natural philosophy) from earliest times through the Scientific Revolution
of the 17th century. Lectures, discussions, and readings are concerned
with the origin(s), transmission, and development of scientific and
philosophical ideas, and the emergence of new intellectual, cultural,
and linguistic communities and practices. Particular emphasis is given
to changing views and conceptions of the traditional triad: 'Science,
Nature, Man.' There will be a One Hour In-Class Essay Exam in addition
to a Take-Home Last Essay. Please note that attendance is mandatory;
participation expected. Students may chose to write an extra-credit
Optional Research Essay; please see the Study Guide and elsewhere
at this WebSite for details. Office hours for Professor Hatch are
Tuesday, 5.00 - 7.00
pm, Thursday, 6.00-7.00, and By Appointment, 226 Keene-Flint Hall. Students
are strongly encouraged to take full advantage of Office Hours for
consultation. Telephone: 392.0271 (24h machine); E-Mail:
ufhatch@ufl.edu.
In addition, required materials are also found at this WebSite. It
is highly recommended that students 'Bookmark' this page
and consult the contents at least once each week. The Teaching Bulletin
can be important: http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/rhatch/pages.
. Course Details: 'What is Expected - What do I Need to Know?'
Required
Reading is taken from
the following books and from this WebSite:
Gator Textbooks, Creekside Mall, 3501
SW 2nd Avenue, Suite D: 374.4500; for further information
see their WebSite: http://www.gatortextbooks.com
Hatch,
Robert A., Study Guide for the History of Science
(Cost-free at this WebSite)
Henry, John, The Scientific Revolution
& the Origins of Modern Science
Kuhn, Thomas S., The Copernican
Revolution
Kuhn, Thomas S., The Structure of
Scientific Revolutions
Lindberg, David C., The Beginnings
of Western Science
Toulmin, S. & J. Goodfield, The
Fabric of the Heavens
Westfall, Richard S., The Construction
of Modern Science
Recommended
Books at the Library:
E.
A. Burtt, The Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Physical Science.
Herbert Butterfield, The Origins
of Modern Science
Alan Debus, Man and Nature in the
Renaissance.
Edward Grant, Physical Science in
the Middle Ages.
G.E.R. Lloyd, Aristotle: The Growth
and Structure of His Thought.
Carolyn Merchant, The Death of Nature:
Women, Ecology, and the Scientific Revolution.
Londa Schiebinger, The Mind Has
No Sex?: Women in the Origins of Modern Science.
Stephen Shapin, The Scientific Revolution
This
course makes available primary source materials on the WWW, most
notably English Books On-Line (EEBO)
and the astonishing French site, GALLICA.
Other electronic sites will also be provided. To start, students
are encouraged to spend time at my 'Search
Site' to become familiar with related Library Resources, Search
Engines, and Primary Source Sites. Further particulars will be discussed
in class.
The
Scientific Revolution: Secondary Sources (Hatch)
The
Scientific Revolution: Primary Sources (Hatch)
Scientific Revolution
- Journals
JSTOR
- {Includes journals of historical interest, including searchable
PT of the Royal Society, 1664 - }
Other
recommended volumes are found at Library West & the Science
Library; this WebSite has ample bibliography.
Evaluation
All required work is
announced on this syllabus. Attendance is mandatory and all course
requirements must be completed to receive class credit. Please note
that this is a demanding course. It involves substantial reading
and writing, and hence, careful preparation and planning.
Because a schedule is provided in advance, absences and arrangements
for late work must be approved in advance. Please plan your
course and semester schedules and other commitments with care. A basic
course rule is called Mantra One: When in doubt: Consult the syllabus; ask questions;
read ahead. Finally, students are expected to read and understand
several items (concerning examinations, writing papers, secondary
readings, etc.) available at my posted WebSite. This WebSite
contains useful items (bibliography, WebLinks, Search Engines, etc.)
as well as practical guides on writing Blue Book Exams, University
level essays, and guidelines Reading & Writing & Studying.
Students are responsible for reading this material early in the
semester. Again,
it is highly recommended that students
consult the material regularly:
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/rhatch/pages
Evaluation
of course requirements takes
five forms:
1. Attendance
is mandatory; please see University Guidelines on this important issue. NB: Completion of corrolated readings (prior to the lecture)
and comprehension of lecture material is required. Please note that
the Study Guide is self-paced; students are expected to follow
the topic content and study materials appropriate to the lectures
and the required readings. Please note that all course requirements must be met to complete
the course and to receive course credit.
2. Participation in class discussion
and activities is expected. There may be unannounced quizzes and
attendance may be monitored {Approximately 20%}
3. Mid-Term Exam: 8 October (30%). Written in-class 'Blue-Book' Essay Exam. Please
see this WebSite for guidelines in preparing for
the exam. How
to take a Blue-Book Exam.
4. Take-home Essay: Nota
Bene: Due before 12.00 Noon, Monday, 7 December in the Main History Department
Office (025 Keene-Flint Hall). The Take-Home Essay (c. 50%) is a
written take-home essay limited to 1000 words, the equivalent of
five {5} typed pages, double spaced, typed {No Binders Please: Kindly
Staple Securely}. Please see the WebSite for suggestions in preparing
and writing this essay. Students should retain a photocopy of their
work for backup purposes. If you wish to have your Last Essay returned,
kindly supply a large manilla envelope (9x12) with the appropriate
postage and address. I will return your Essay and final course
grade by post. Essays will not otherwise be returned or retained.
5. Optional Paper: 15-page
research essay; due no later than 12.00 Noon, Friday, Week XIV.
The Optional Essay provides extra credit and can add as much as
one letter to the final course grade. The paper is non compulsory;
no one is penalized for not choosing this option. The Optional
Paper allows interested students to pursue a course topic in greater
detail or to identify an area not treated in this general survey
course. As a practical matter, students should consider carefully
if they have sufficient time to do a proper job. The Optional Paper
should represent a solid and rewarding effort. The topic for the Optional Paper must be approved by the instructor. Please consult the Study
Guide and thisWebSite
for details regarding topic selection, approval, submission
dates, bibliography, and suggestions about research and writing.
As always, students should take advantage of Office Hours for discussion
and consultation.
Further
Details - Required Reading: 'What is Expected
- What do I Need to Know?' - A Fair Question!
PART I:
ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL NATURAL PHILOSOPHY
WEEK I: 27 August
Th: Plotting Our Course
Egyptian and Babylonian Science: A Sketch
Readings: Kuhn, Copernican, Foreword; Begin Toulmin, Introduction
& Chap. 1; Acquaint yourself with all required books. Lindberg,
Chapters 1 & 2; Visit WebSite. Begin with Teaching
Resources; then read: Undergraduate
Guide to the History of Science.
NB: The Study Guide is self-paced by topic: RRSR {Read,
Review & Study Regularly}: Hatch
- History of Science Study Guide
Discussion Topic: Science, Myth, Language
WEEK II: 3 September
Th: Early Greek Cosmology:
The Pre-Socratics
Readings: Toulmin, Chapter 2; Lindberg, Chapter 2, continue;
Continue WebSite Teaching
Resources & Hatch
- History of Science Study Guide
Discussion Topic: Truth & Reality?
WEEK III: 10 September
Th: Aristotle: The
Aristotelian Synthesis
Readings: Lindberg, Chapter 3; Toulmin, Chapter 3; Kuhn,
Copernican, Chapter 1-2.
Continue WebSite Teaching
Resources & Hatch
- History of Science Study Guide
Discussion Topic: Plato & Aristotle
WEEK IV: 17 September
Th: Ptolemy &
the Almagest (Mathematical Synthesis)
Readings: Toulmin, Chap. 3 & 5; Kuhn, Copernican Chap.
2; Lindberg, Chapter 5
Finish WebSite Teaching
Resources & Continue:
Hatch
- History of Science Study Guide
Discussion Topic: Astronomy & Cosmology
WEEK V: 24 September
Th: From Ancient
to Medieval Science: An Overview
Readings: Lindberg, Chapters 8 & 9; Toulmin, Chap. 6.
Continue: Hatch
- History of Science Study Guide
Discussion Topic: Transmission Problems
WEEK VI: 1 October
Th:
Medieval and Renaissance Astronomy
Readings: Kuhn, Copernican, Chapter 4; Lindberg, Chapters
11, 12, 14.
Continue: Hatch
- History of Science Study Guide
REVIEW SESSION - Come prepared for Q&A & Review Discussion.
Again: Please see WebSite guidelines
to prepare for this exam. How
to take a Blue-Book Exam.
Discussion Topic: Discussion REVIEW:
Review All Required Texts; Review All Notes. Write out questions you think might be asked. Study Time: Again: Please see the WebSite for guidelines
and suggestions in preparing for this exam. How
to take a Blue-Book Exam.
WEEK VII: 8 October
Th: MID-TERM EXAM: Thursday {Bring Blue Examination
Booklet(s)}: Readings:
Review & study readings and notes; Review future Readings; Continue
Toulmin; Begin Henry.
PART II:
THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION
WEEK VIII: 15 October
Th: - Return and Review Mid-Term Examinations
(Attendance Strictly Mandatory);
The Scientific Revolution: An Overview
Readings: Toulmin, Chapter 7; Begin J. Henry.
Continue: Hatch
- History of Science Study Guide;
Read: Hatch
- The Scientific Revolution: Paradigm Lost?
Begin: Hatch - The Scientific
Revolution HomePage
Discussion Topic: Continuity, Revolution; Internal, External
WEEK IX: 22 October:
Th Copernicus & the Copernican Disturbance -
{Gee Nick! No Revolution?}
Readings: Review Lindberg, Chapters 11 & 12; Kuhn, Copernican,
Chapter 5 (again); begin Chapter 6; Continue J. Henry. Continue:
Hatch
- History of Science Study Guide; then Read & Review: The
Big Guys - The Scientific Revolution
Discussion Topic: Revolutionary Points of Detail
WEEK X: 29 October
Th Tycho Brahe, Observer,
Cosmologist & Bon Vivant
Readings: Kuhn, Copernican, Chapter 6; Continue J. Henry;
Continue: Hatch
- History of Science Study Guide
See: Hatch
- The World Systems
See: Tycho Brahe - Official
Site
Discussion Topic: World Systems, Birds, Rabbits, etc.
WEEK XI: 5 November
Th Kepler & the
New Astronomy {A Keplerian Revolution?}
Readings: Westfall, Chapter 1; Continue J. Henry;
Visit & Study: Hatch:
The World Systems & Kepler's 'Laws'
Continue: Hatch
- History of Science Study Guide
Discussion Topic:
Were These Guys Geniuses?
WEEK XII: 12 November
Th Galileo &
the New Astronomy {A Galilean Revolution?}
Readings: Reread: Kuhn, Copernican, pp. 117-118, 219-226;
Toulmin, Chapter 8-9; Kuhn, Copernican, Chapter 7; finish J. Henry
Continue J. Henry; Continue:
Hatch
- History of Science Study Guide
Visit
& Study: The
Galileo Project
Discussion Topic: Metaphysics, Method, and Experiment
WEEK XIII: 19 November
Th - Descartes & the Mechanical Philosophy
Discussion Topic: The Mechanical Philosophy:
Contact, Impact, Pressure - not "Force" or "Action-at-a-Distance" - Foreshadowing Newton
Readings: Begin Westfall, Chapters 1 & 2; Begin Kuhn, Structure.
Continue: Hatch
- History of Science Study Guide
Discussion Topic: The Geometrical Spirit and Mechanical Worldviews
WEEK XIV: 26 November - NO CLASS - Thanksgiving - Have a Great Turkey-Day!
WEEK XV: 3 Decemberr
Th - Isaac
Newton & the 'Newtonian Synthesis'
Readings: Toulmin, Chapter 9-10; Westfall, Chapters 7 &
8
Web-Bio(s), Hatch - Sir Isaac Newton;
Re-read Kuhn, Structure {then re-think Kuhn's Structure}.
Continue: Hatch
- History of Science Study Guide
Discussion Topic: Mechanism, Materialism, Force - action-at-a-distance
- How does Kuhn fit here?
Remember the Beginning: 'What
is Expected - What do I Need to Know?' - A Fair Question!
Discussion & Review: Paradigms & Change in Science & History:
How does does Kuhn fit here?
-Toward Synthesis and or Revolution or and / - = . . .
More Thinking About Thinking . .
.
|
Questions?
Please e-me: ufhatch@ufl.edu