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2019　History of Science C

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Academic unit or major
Humanities and social science courses
Instructor(s)
Takuwa Yoshimi 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Mon3-4(H136)  Thr3-4(H136)  
Group
-
Course number
LAH.T302
Credits
2
Academic year
2019
Offered quarter
2Q
Syllabus updated
2019/3/18
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

This lecture traces the history of science from ancient times to the early 20th century by viewing experimental and observational instruments.
In particular, each class focuses on a single scientific instrument, explains its development and each phase’s experimental/observational accuracy, and related discoveries. Students will consider why they conduct experiments and observations and why they can trust and accept experimental/observational results by learning about Aristotle’s deductive method, Francis Bacon’s inductive method based on experiments, and the formation of experimentalism societies.

Student learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Understand the origin of experiments and observations.
2) Have their own opinions on why they conduct experiments and observations and why they can trust and accept experimental/observational results.

Keywords

History of Science, History of Philosophy, experiment, observation, scientific instrument

Competencies that will be developed

Specialist skills ✔ Intercultural skills ✔ Communication skills ✔ Critical thinking skills ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

A theme (an instrument) will be discussed in each class.
Students discuss the theme and read materials aloud in turn with a group.

Should the number of applicants for this course exceed the limit, a lottery system will be used to determine which students are admitted. Be sure to attend the first class.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Guidance: Introduction to the history of ‘experiments’ Understand what the discipline of the history of science is.
Class 2 Observing Understand Aristotle’s concept of observation.
Class 3 Viewing Understand Euclid’s concept of optics.
Class 4 Measuring Understand the history of measurement.
Class 5 Slopes and pendulums Understand Galilei’s experiments on slopes and pendulums.
Class 6 Eye glasses Understand the appearance of eye glasses and optical instruments.
Class 7 Telescopes Understand the development of telescopes.
Class 8 Presentation of midterm report Peer review activities to improve report.
Class 9 Air pumps Understand Boyle’s experiments on air pumps.
Class 10 Glass prisms Understand Newton’s experiments on glass prisms.
Class 11 Microscopes Understand Hooke’s observations on microscopes.
Class 12 Shape of the Earth Understand the controversy about the shape of the Earth.
Class 13 Electricity and Magnetism Understand Faraday’s experiments on electricity and magnetism.
Class 14 Handling experimental data Understanding scientists’ misconduct on experimental data.
Class 15 Presentation of final report Peer review activities to improve report.

Textbook(s)

None required.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Reference books will be informed during the lecture.

Assessment criteria and methods

Engagement to the class (attendance and short reports) 50 %, Midterm report 20 %, Final report 30%

Related courses

  • LAH.T102 ： History of Science A
  • LAH.T302 ： History of Science C
  • LAH.T103 ： History of Technology A
  • LAH.T203 ： History of Technology B
  • LAH.T303 ： History of Technology C

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

Mainly use materials and videos translated in Japanese and partially use videos in English.
It is preferable to have intermediate-level capacity for reading Japanese and elementary-level capacity for listening to English.

Other

Should the number of applicants for this course exceed the limit, a lottery system will be used to determine which students are admitted. Be sure to attend the first class.

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