This course is a reading seminar designed to examine the interaction of science and history from the Middle Ages to the seventeenth century. How does one understand science within its cultural, intellectual and institutional contexts. We will look selectively at several areas and topics in medieval and early modern science, reading material from classics in the field of the history of science, more contemporary directions in that field, and primary sources. The course is a seminar. We will engage in common readings and discuss them during class.
Attendance is required.
Missing class without an excuse from the instructor will cause grade depreciation. Completing the assigned readings is also a requirement. This includes doing the reading and contributing to the class discussions. In addition, we will have an AltaVista forum for the course. Each week there will be questions posted.