Hum 201A - Puzzles and Revolutions: Text and Tradition

Institution:

Washington University in St Louis

Subject:

Description:

This course introduces students to the history and philosophy of science. It counts toward the minor in Text and Tradition (T&T) and serves as a gateway to the minor in History and Philosophy of Science (HPS). The course examines major episodes in the history of science from two of four periods: ancient, medieval, early modern, and modern. Possible topics include the Copernican, Newtonian, Darwinian, and Mendelian revolutions, and in each case the questions under consideration include: What was the state of natural knowledge before this episode? What historical developments caused or enabled a transformation of that knowledge? What were the features and fortunes of the paradigm that emerged? By applying these questions to a few specific case studies, students learn about the content and context of scientific knowledge, while also becoming familiar with various explanations as to how and why that knowledge changes over time.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wustl.edu

Phone Number:

(314) 935-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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