On Tuesday, we will start off with a discussion assignment called Advising the Pope. Working in groups, students will be teleported back to 1614 to act as advisors to Pope Paul V in appointing a new court astronomer. Students will evaluate the three leading astronomical systems of the day (Ptolemaic, Copernican, and Tychonic) and advise his Holiness as to which system is the best.
Afterwards, we will have a lecture on Mechanical Philosophy and its influence on the history of physics and astronomy.
Homework
- Read Charlotte Sleigh’s “Introduction” chapter from Literature & Science. Sleigh’s book argues the central tenet of this course: the idea that literature can show us the social impact of science and the reciprocal influence of society on science.
- In the comments explain C.P. Snow’s idea of “two cultures.” Then quote a passage from Sleigh that refutes this concept and explain the quote.
History of Science Since Newton 