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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Arts : History and Philosophy of Science

136-101 History of Astronomy

Credit Points:

When taken from History and Philosophy of Science, Faculty of Arts:
12.5 1st year
When taken from History and Philosophy of Science, Faculty of Science:
12.5

Coordinator:

Dr Keith Hutchison

Timetable:

Semester 1

Contact:

Up to three hours of lectures and tutorials a week

Objectives:

Students successfully completing this subject should develop:

  • an understanding of the central issues in one of the major episodes in the history of science;

  • a sense of the complexity of the processes governing the acceptance of scientific theories;

  • an appreciation of the rationality of views of the universe different from our own;

  • skills in the collection and analysis of evidence, and in the presentation of arguments.

Content:

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.

Assessment:

Written work not exceeding 4000 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.

Prescribed Texts:

Departmental Course Notes.

  • Kuhn T S, The Copernican Revolution
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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Arts : History and Philosophy of Science 
Status:                   OFFICIAL 1997
Last Modified:            Wednesday March 12 3:36 pm
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Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1997.