https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/X_400424To increase your understanding of how the sciences and the wider world have shaped each other over the centuries.We are used to thinking of science as the prime shaper of our modern world, but how exactly does that work? How have the sciences come to play this role in our society and, reversely, how have societal and political concerns impacted the scientific enterprise? In this course we will study the changing relationship between science and society over the centuries from several points of view. We will examine how scientists have dealt with the public. We will study science’s relationship to religion and to art. And we will ask how Western science really is, tracing how many cultures have shaped our knowledge. To address these questions, we will both use historical literature, videos and podcasts and original source texts and pictures.Seminars (2hrs per week), lectures (occasionally), presentations (twice for every student).Assessment is based on active participation during the seminar (10%) and a piece of historical research, reported on in a presentation (20%) and a final paper (70%).Available via CanvasMaster students in the sciences interested in (historical) reflection; Master students in history interested in understanding the role of science in society.More information with the course coordinator: Athena Institute, W&N De Boelelaan 1081, room A646,
[email protected]Bachelor degreeNone necessary, except what you have learned in your BA.