STSC 001 Emergence of Modern Science
Cross-listed as HSOC 001
Offered:Fall 2008
Adams MW 11-12 + rec
Fulfills college requirement for Sector IV: Humanities and Social Science (class of 2010 and after)
During the last 500 years, science has emerged as a central and transformative force that continues to reshape everyday life in countless ways. This introductory course will survey the emergence of the scientific world view from the Renaissance through the end of the 20th century. By focusing on the life, work, and cultural contexts of those who created modern science, we will explore their core ideas and techniques, where they came from, what problems they solved, what made them controversial and exciting, and how they related to contemporary religious beliefs, politics, art, literature, and music. The course
is organized chronologically and thematically. In short, this is a “Western Civ” course with a difference, open to students at all levels.
