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Course module: UCSCIHIS11
UCSCIHIS11
History and Philosophy of Science
Course info
Course codeUCSCIHIS11
EC7.5
Course goals
 
After completing this course students are able to:
  • critically read and evaluate texts from the history of science and from the philosophy of science.
  • independently form and express, in speech and writing, views on the role and place of humankind in the evolution of science and philosophy.
  • synthesize ideas from the history of science and philosophy in class discussions and in essays.
  • understand scientific theories and accompanying jargon and concepts with facility.
Content
Content:
We live in a culture in which science is dominant and the pace of change is accelerating.  When you were born, the World Wide Web barely existed and mobile phones were rare. When the previous generation was born, there were no personal computers, not every household had a telephone, there was no TV, and DNA was an organic compound with some promise.  In the context of such a world it is of paramount importance for any educated individual to have a thorough, critical understanding of science, its history, and epistemic foundations.  And it is important, too, to consider these issues in the context of world history in order to begin understanding interdependencies that go back millennia.
 
Format
This course is organized chronologically in which selected turning points from different periods in history are discussed. These moments are highlighted in the readings and lively class discussions support the lectures given. Students write a term paper on a specific, concerted episode, employing both historical and philosophical tools that have been acquired in the course. Students are constantly assessed on attendance, preparedness, and effort, keeping in mind that quantity does not outweigh the quality. There is also a final exam which consists mostly of essays and includes some choice in topics.The course is organized chronologically within each theme (History of science/Philosophy of science/contentful science). From the different periods in history we discuss selected turning points. These moments are illustrated by readings and lectures. Lively class discussions support the lectures. Students write a midterm exam, a final exam, and a term paper on a particular, narrowly-focused, episode, employing both the historical and philosophical tools they have acquired in the course. Students must use primary sources for this paper. These sources can be found in the accompanying Reader and beyond. Students are constantly assessed on their attendance, preparedness and input, while keeping in mind that the quantity of the input does not necessarily outweigh the quality.
Papers are due in class, in hardcopy and on the workspace in the hand-in section on the due date. Late papers will lose a grade per class or part thereof (or fictional class in the break), so an A becomes an A- if it is one class late.
NB: No laptops or phones in class.
 
 
 
 
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Kies de Nederlandse taal