History 691S: Critical Approaches in the History of Science and Medicine

Robert Cox

Fall 2006, Tuesday 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Synopsis:

In this seminar, a complement to the department's other seminars inhistoriography, we will examine a mixture of classics in the history of science and medicine and recent, innovative works that are reshaping the field. Reading a wide variety of works, but focusing primarily on the United States and Britain, we will review the intersection of scientific knowledge and practice with the political and cultural history of our country, the development of a uniquely American scientific culture, scientific epistemology, the position of pseudoscience, and the
popularization of science as a means of investigating the diversity of historiographical approaches. The course is intended as an introduction both for those who plan to pursue further work in the history of science and for those who merely wish to enrich their programme with an eye toward preparing a secondary field.

Written assignments and expectations. On a rotating basis, each student will be responsible for presentations on the week's reading, accompanied by a five page write-up due on the Friday
before.

Syllabus: Not available

Course Website: Not available