136-341 Approaches To the History of Science

Note

All BSc students, except those enrolled in the BA/BSc combined course and the BASc course, can only receive 12.5 points science credit at the 300-level for this subject.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

At least two 200-level HPS subjects.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

What is the history of science the history of? Different historians of science have sometimes answered this question very differently and have, as a result, presented very different understandings of the historical roots of modern science and hence the nature of science itself. In this subject we analyse several "classical" and more recent approaches to the science of the past, with the aim of becoming familiar with the main points at issue and developing a critical appreciation of current methodological debates.

Assessment

Written work not exceeding 5000 words in total, comprising weekly tutorial assignments, a class presentation and a 3000 word essay. To be eligible for assessment, students must attend a minimum of 75% of classes.