Courses:

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This course will study the development of modern science from the seventeenth century to the present, focusing on Europe and the United States. Key questions include: What is science, and how is it done? How are discoveries made and accepted? What is the nature of scientific progress? What is the impact of science on society? What is the impact of society on science? Topics will be drawn from the histories of physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, and medicine.

This class requires 1) active participation in both lectures and weekly recitation sections, 2) a series of written assignments, and 3) a midterm and final exam.

Each week's readings must be read prior to recitation section. Active participation in the discussions is required.

A short (roughly 300 words) reading response assignment must be submitted prior to each recitation.

Two papers are required, each roughly 2000 words (7-8 pages). The papers must be submitted prior to Ses #12 and #24, respectively.

For research consultations, you can meet with MIT's reference librarian for History of Science and Technology.

There will be closed-book midterm and final exams, based on material from both lectures and readings.

Final grades will be based on:

Two books are required.

Bowler, Peter J., and Iwan Rhys Morus. Making Modern Science: A Historical Survey. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2005. ISBN: 9780226068619.

Frayn, Michael. Copenhagen. New York, NY: Anchor, 2000. ISBN: 9780385720793.