探索科學I:舊世界的科學

Modern culture is a culture of science. Modern science is the outcome of a historical process of more than 4000 years. In this course we investigate how knowledge acquired the characteristics of modern science: the social structure, contents, values and methods, and how their history was built. Here, you will look at some fundamental chapters of this process and try to understand their implications in the construction of contemporary science in its culture. You will learn how ancient science was different from our modern science, how, for example, Alchemy became Chemistry or Astrology became Astronomy. You will also learn how specific social and historical factors shaped what we now call an “objective and universal knowledge”. Yet, modern historiography presents science essentially as a Western product. In this course, we are going to challenge this point of view and look at other cultures.

A basic level of English is sufficient to enter this class, teacher and students can also communicate in Chinese.

• Method of study: This course is taught mainly by the teacher and also by dialogue with students. The main part of the class is dedicated to the lecture, showing and explaining notions and historical element. The teaching method requires participation from the students. Many questions are raised, and the answers are discussed. The other part of the class is dedicated to student’s interest, where selected topics are presented by students and discussed with the students and teacher.

• The evaluation method: Although the class is in English, the level of language is not taken into account for the evaluation. To do so, the evaluation follows two processes: one is made through short quiz tests every week, and longer quiz tests for mid-term and final exam, the other through presentation and participation in class. The short quiz test consists in a single multiple choice question on the previous lecture. The longer quiz test consists in a set of multiple choice questions. The documents provided in class can be used while the exam. The other part of the evaluation is the evaluation of class presentation, quality of questions and criticism sent by students and participation in class. The class presentation is based on a research group project where students work together on a selected topic during the semester. Students are also invited to teach with the teacher to promote interaction. Class participation: attendance and weekly quiz 10% + short class presentation 10% Classroom team presentation: preparation (include questions, literature review, proposal and structure) 20% + final presentation and questioning 30% Mid-term and final open book exam: 15% each.

• Early science
• Medieval science

All materials are provided by the teacher. (translation into English of ancient sources: Rhind papyrus; Liu Hui’s commentary on The Nine Chapters on Mathematical Procedure, Narayana’s Bijaganitavatamsa, Aristotle’s On the Heaven; etc.)

地點

A609

時間

2CD 4CDEF

聯絡方式

philo.nctu@gmail.com