HISTORY OF SCIENCE - ORIGINS TO NEWTON

Dr Robert A. Hatch - 226 Keene-Flint Hall - 392-0271
HIS 3463 (yyyyX) - Summer A 2009
M-F 6 (3.30-4.45) - yyy Keene-Flint Hall

In this course we survey changes and developments in Western 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 Wednesday, 4.45-6.00pm and by appointment, 226 Keene-Flint Hall. Students are strongly encouraged to take full advantage of Office Hours. Telephone: 392.0271 (24h machine); E-Mail: ufhatch@ufl.edu. In addition, required materials are also found at my WebSite. It is highly recommended that students 'Bookmark' this page under 'Favorites': http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/rhatch/pages

Required Reading is taken from the following books and from this WebSite. Books are available with an Exclusive Order from: Gator Textbooks, Creekside Mall, 3501 SW 2nd Avenue, Suite D: 374.4500; for further information see their WebSite: http://www.gatortextbooks.com . The A Study Guide for the History of Science is produced by Custom Copies (377.4221) and can be obtained at their store: 309 NW 13th Street: http://www.customcopiesandtexbooks.com/ .

Hatch, Robert A., Study Guide for the History of Science (Also 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

Other recommended volumes are found at Library West & the Science Library

Evaluation
All required work is announced on this syllabus. But please note that this is a demanding course, particularly as a Summer Session offering. As this syllabus indicates, the course involves substantial reading and writing. As a consequence, attendance is mandatory and careful planning and preparation are critical. Because a schedule is provided in advance, absences and arrangements for late work must be approved in advance. Please plan your course schedule and study commitments with care. The Course Mantra One: When in doubt: Consult the syllabus; ask questions; read ahead. Finally, students are expected to read and understand a number of items (concerning examinations, writing papers, secondary readings, etc.) available at my posted WebSite, which contains useful items (bibliography, WebLinks, Search Engines, etc.) as well as practical guides on writing Blue Book Exams, University level essays, and more general guides about Reading & Writing & Studying. Students are responsible for reading this material early in the course. It is highly recommended that students 'Bookmark' this page under 'Favorites': http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/rhatch/pages

Evaluation takes four forms: All course requirements must be met to complete the course:
1. Completion and comprehension of assigned readings and lectures.
2. Attendance and participation in class lectures and discussions is mandatory. All course work must be completed to receive a grade for the class. There will be unannounced quizzes; class attendance will be monitored {Approximately 20%}.
3. Mid-Term Exam: (30%) Written in-class 'Blue-Book' Essay Exam. Please see the WebSite for guidelines and suggestions in preparing for this exam. See below for date & details.
4. Take-home Essay: Nota Bene: Due Friday, 12.00 Noon of Week VI (c. 50%) in History Main Office (025 Keene-Flint Hall): See below for date and details. Written take-home essay: This Essay exam is 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 for backup purposes. If you wish to have your essay returned, kindly supply a large manilla envelope (9x12) with the appropriate postage and address. I will arrange for a Special Federal Agent to return your essay and final course grade.

Further Details: 'What is Expected - What do I Need to Know?' - A Fair Question!

PART I: ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL NATURAL PHILOSOPHY

WEEK I:

Introductions: 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; For assistance, read: Mythopoeic Thought & the Pre-Socratics

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? For Cosmology, See: Hatch - The World Systems

WEEK II:

M-F - 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: Aristotle vs. Plato

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

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 III:

M - Medieval and Renaissance Astronomy
Readings: Kuhn, Copernican, Chapter 4; Lindberg, Chapters 11, 12, 14.
Continue: Hatch - History of Science Study Guide
Discussion Topic: Discussion REVIEW: Review All Required Texts; Review All Notes.

T : MID-TERM-REVIEW: Come prepared for Q&A and Discussion.
Readings: Review and study all readings and notes; Continue Toulmin; Begin Henry.

W : MID-TERM EXAM: Wednesday: Bring Blue Exam Booklet(s). Again: Please see the WebSite for guidelines and suggestions in preparing for this exam. How to take a Blue-Book Exam.

R : NO CLASS: Recuperate

F : REVIEW of Mid-Term Exam (Attendance Mandatory)

PART II: THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION

Copernican Perspectives - Take a Peek!

WEEK IV:

M-F : The Scientific Revolution: A Portrait
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

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

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.
Visit & Study: Hatch: The World Systems & Kepler's 'Laws'

Kepler & the New Astronomy {A Keplerian Revolution?}
Readings: Westfall, Chapter 1; Continue J. Henry;
Continue: Hatch - History of Science Study Guide
Discussion Topic: Were These Guys Geniuses?

WEEK V:

M-F : Galileo & the New Astronomy {A Galilean Revolution?}
Readings: Reread: Kuhn, Copernican, pp. 117-118, 219-226;
Toulmin, Chapter 8; Kuhn, Copernican, Chapter 7;
Continue J. Henry; Continue: Hatch - History of Science Study Guide
Visit & Study: The Galileo Project
Discussion Topic: Metaphysics, Method, and Experiment

Ismaël Boulliau {A Copernican Synthesis?}
Readings: Begin Westfall, Chapters 1 & 2; Begin Kuhn, Structure.
Web-Bio, Ismael Boulliau
Continue: Hatch - History of Science Study Guide
Discussion Topic: The Geometrical Spirit and Mechanical Worldviews

Descartes & the Mechanical Philosophy {The Cartesian Synthesis}
Readings: Westfall, Chapter 2 & 3; Toulmin, Chapter 9; finish J. Henry. Web-Bio
Finish Kuhn, Structure. Continue: Hatch - History of Science Study Guide
Discussion Topic: The Mechanical Philosophy

WEEK VI:

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!

The Structure of Scientific Revolutions: Of Birds, Rabbits, & Other Living Things...
Readings: Review all Readings and Lecture Notes
Review: Hatch - History of Science Study Guide

Nota Bene: Last Take-home Essay Due:12:00 Noon, Friday, History Department Main Office - 025 Keene-Flint Hall

Remember the Beginning: 'What is Expected - What do I Need to Know?' - A Fair Question!
Discussion & Review: Toward Synthesis and or Revolution or and / - = . .