Time Schedule:
Bruce W Hevly
HIST 390
Seattle Campus
Study in the history of science to bridge the gap between the natural sciences and the humanities. Students should have a strong background both in history and in a natural science.
Class description
HISTORY 390: Junior Colloquium in History of Science: Technocracy (May also be taken as HIST 388). See history advising office for add codes. In 2012, this seminar will consider this history of technocracy, the suite of beliefs that political power should be vested in technical experts. After looking at the European origins of this idea, we will pursue the peculiar meanings of technocracy in American contexts from the late nineteenth to late twentieth century, including such manifestations as Scientology and Larouchism. In seminar meetings, we will apply examples from this literature to selected primary sources. Students will write review essays and prepare research proposals on the model of preliminary work for a senior research paper, choosing a topic relevant to the seminar.
This seminar is designed to introduce students to research methods and historiography representative of current problems in the history of science and technology; it fulfills a major requirement for students majoring in History and Philosophy of Science and is also required for those undertaking the minor in history of science.
Student learning goals
Students will practice critical reading of other historians' work and arguments.
Students will consider how to itentify and interpret relevant primary sources.
Students will gain familiarity with the processes of locating and accessing sources.
Students will be prepared to undertake independent research in their senior year in order to fulfill the requirements for the HPS honors degree, and to participate in the capstone seminar (HPS 400), or to undertake a seminar such as HIST 498, required of history majors.
Students will learn about critical questions in contemporary history of science that shape research programs of working historians.
General method of instruction
Readings and class discussion; preparation and revision of research papers concerned with sources and problems in the history of science.
Recommended preparation
No prerequisites. The course is a degree requirement for HPS majors, but others are welcome on a space-available basis. HIST 311 and HIST 312 are recommended prior to taking the course, but familiarity with American history and politics may be just as useful.
Class assignments and grading
Completion of assigned readings, participation in class discussions. Students will complete two major writing assignments totalling about 20 pages; other shorter papers for discussion. Over the course of the quarter, students will compile the foundational material for a research project: book review, essay review, bibliography, research proposal. No exams; this is a W course.
See above.
