Astronomy, astrology, and motion are employed as a case study of the changing view of the cosmos. Special emphasis is placed upon the metaphysical foundations of the cosmological views of each period and upon their resistance to change. The readings include works by Plato, Aristotle, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton. The course also includes six supervised walking tours of sites in London that display the influence of the astrological sciences on art and architecture. This course fulfills either a humanities or a non-laboratory science distribution requirement.
Emphasis is on the development of musical styles and their historical, social, and cultural context.
Frequent concert attendance and some rehearsal observation are included as circumstances permit. This course fulfills a fine arts distribution requirement. Special attention is given to symphonic music by Elgar, operas by Britten, and the English choral tradition shared by all three. This course fulfills a fine arts distribution requirement. An introduction to the universally popular but quintessentially English musical theatre of Gilbert and Sullivan.