12.5 1st year Dr Keith Hutchison. First semester Up to three hours of lectures and tutorials a week. Students successfully completing this subject should develop:

• an understanding of the central issues in one of the major episodes in the history of science; an appreciation of the rationality of views of the universe different from our own;
• a sense of the complexity of the processes governing the acceptance of scientific theories; skills in the collection and analysis of evidence, and in the presentation of arguments.

Changing conceptions of the universe in 16th and 17th century Europe. Written work not exceeding 4,000 words together with a 3-hour examination. Exemption from the examination may be granted on the basis of the written work and a class test late in the semester. Kuhn T S The Copernican Revolution. Departmental Course Notes 12.5 Dr K Hutchison First semester 26 lectures (two a week) and 13 tutorials (one a week) Students successfully completing this subject should develop:

• an understanding of the central issues in one of the major episodes in the history of science;
• an appreciation of the rationality of views of the universe different from our own;
• a sense of the complexity of the processes governing the acceptance of scientific theories;
• skills in the collection and analysis of evidence, and in the presentation of arguments.

Ancient Greek notions of the universe as finite with a central spherical earth; the transmission of these notions to renaissance Europe; their abandonment; arguments for and against a sun-centred solar system; the transition to an infinite universe. Satisfactory performance in up to 4,000 words of written work including a class test. Or, a 3-hour examination. Kuhn T S The Copernican Revolution. Departmental Course Notes