History of Chemistry and Elements of Didactics

Objective of the teaching is to provide a general framework of the History of Chemistry from its origins to the beginning of the 20th century, outlining the main themes and conceptual acquisitions that have characterised its evolution, with particular attention to the Periodic Table of Elements. The assumptions of the development of scientific thought, the historical and cultural context in which Chemistry developed and the effects that this evolution had on society and the environment, especially after the emergence of the first inorganic industrial processes, will be illustrated. A section will be dedicated to illustrate the main methods and tools of chemical didactics, aimed at the acquisition of fundamental competences for the design of effective teaching paths. This will be followed by exercises with applied examples of the teaching methods learnt.

At the end of the learning process, the student will be able to historically frame the fundamental discoveries of Chemistry from its origins to the beginning of the 20th century, describe its evolution in relation to the historical and cultural context and explain its impact on society and the environment. In addition, the student will learn and be able to apply the main methods and tools of chemistry didactics aimed at the acquisition of fundamental competences for the design of effective teaching paths.