Time Schedule:
Bruce W Hevly
HIST 310
Seattle Campus
Scientific and religious ideas have been two of the major forces shaping our modern view of the world. Often regarded as being in conflict, they can equally well be seen as complementary and interdependent. Study of the relationship between scientific and religious ideas with focus on particular episodes of history from ancient to modern times.
Class description
This is an "A" term class.
Modern commentators have often portrayed science and religion as conflicting or, at best, complementary. Here we will undertake a series of week-long case studies, each looking at one episode in the history of this relationship. Case studies will include: the condemnation of 1277 and its consequences for medieval mechanics; Victorian natural theology and arguments from design; Protestantism and the rise of modern science; quantum theory, relativity and its religious interpreters in the early twentieth century.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
No prerequisites; general background in European history of history of science may be helpful.
Class assignments and grading
Each two-hour class meeting will include lectures and discussions based on assigned readings. There will be a weekly paper assignment.
