HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

This course will prepare students to understand the history of alchemy and matter theory in relation to ancient, medieval, and early modern institutional, social, religious, and intellectual contexts. The course will focus on the theories and practices of alchemy and their philosophical roots. The formal objectives include applying the methods of the history of science to build a deeper understanding of pre-modern understandings of nature and matter.

1. Understanding methods of the history of science.
Understanding major themes in alchemy and matter theory in the premodern world.
Understanding the context and practices of alchemy.
Understanding the historiography related to these themes.
2. The ability to analyze premodern writings about natural world and place these writings in their social, intellectual, and institutional contexts.
3. The ability to communicate ideas about premodern thought in oral exams.
4. The ability to participate in and contribute group discussions on the history of science in seminars.
5. The ability to understanding developments in the historiography of the history of science.

There are no prerequisites for this course.

The course covers the emergence of alchemy and Aristotelian and corpuscular matter theories. These writings will include those by Aristotle, Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, Pseudo-Geber, Robert Boyle, and Isaac Newton.

Primary sources in translation and selected secondary sources will be placed on Moodle.

Lawrence M. Principe, The Secrets of Alchemy, University of Chicago Press, 2013. (not obligatory)
William R. Newman, Atoms and Alchemy, University of Chicago Press, 2006. (not obligatory)

The method for verifying understanding of the course is an oral exam based on the class's readings, especially the primary sources.

oral

The grading scale for the oral exam:
A. Scores in the range of 18-22 will be assigned for:
- Sufficient knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Limited ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Sufficient communication skills.

B. Scores in the range of 23-26 will be assigned for:
- Fair knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Fair ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Fair communication skills.

C. Scores in the range of 27-30 will be assigned for:
- Good or excellent knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Good or excellent ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Fully appropriate communication skills.

D. The “laude” will be awarded to students with excellent knowledge and comprehension of the textbooks and related topics.

The course will be based on seminars and lectures.

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.