Cultural History of Science

This course aims to provide students with critical tools for analysing and interpreting primary and secondary sources in the history of scientific thought, situating them in their philosophical, intellectual, cultural, socio-political and institutional contexts. Through in-depth study of historically significant cases, the course explores the evolution of scientific ideas and technical practices, highlighting the interactions between science, culture and society. The aim is to develop an advanced understanding of the historical dynamics that have shaped the production and circulation of scientific knowledge.

Students will acquire a basic knowledge of the main issues relating to the relationship between science and contexts, as well as a knowledge of the vocabulary of the discipline. The course will also provide critical tools for independent reading, interpretation and commentary of scientific texts from the past, placing them in their historical context. These skills will be acquired through direct and continuous discussion with the lecturer in the classroom. The discussion of the proposed sources will be a moment of critical reflection and methodological learning. Attending and non-attending students will be able to make use of the didactic tools available on Ariel, to deepen their knowledge of the main topics through special readings agreed with the lecturer and, of course, to discuss with her both by e-mail and during office hours.