HISTORY OF SCIENCE I

The course will prepare students to analyze texts related to ancient natural philosophy, medicine, and technology in the Mediterranean world by placing them in their philosophical, social, and cultural contexts.
The formal objectives of the course include understanding the methods of the history of science and using these methods to interpret the development of ideas and practices regarding the natural world during this period.

1. Understanding to the primary features of ancient natural philosophy.
Knowledge of terminology related to ancient natural philosophy.
Understanding of how natural philosophy changed and developed during this period.
Understanding of how society and culture interacted with theories about nature.
2. The ability to analyze natural philosophical texts written in this time period.
The ability to place writings about nature in their social and cultural contexts.
3. The ability to create historical narratives based on ancient texts.
The ability to formulate reasoned arguments regarding the history of ancient natural philosophy and science.
4. The ability to communicate ideas about the history of ancient natural philosophy and medicine in written exams.
5. The ability to critique modern interpretations of ancient science.

There are no prerequisites for the course.

The course covers the history of ancient thought about nature and its applications, including natural philosophy, medicine, and astronomy. These subjects will be studied in light of their social, religious, and cultural contexts.

Lloyd, Early Greek Science: Thales to Aristotle
Lloyd, Greek Science After Aristotle
Primary sources available on Moodle

The final exam will be a written exam designed to evaluate the student's ability to interpret ancient texts regarding the history of science.

The course will be based on lectures.

English

Ca' Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

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