[Note: This syllabus represents the second half of a course; the first half is dedicated to the history of mathematics. The course is largely the product of Michael J. Crowe, and this syllabus closely follows syllabi he has used in previous years, with the exception of the final unit on astronomy and religion, which was developed for this semester's course.]
Instructor: Mr. Matthew F. Dowd
Office: 345 Decio
Office Hours: 3:00-4:00, Monday and Wednesday, or by appointment
E-Mail: Matthew.F.Dowd.11@nd.edu
Required Books:
·Michael J. Crowe, Theories of the World from Antiquity
to the Copernican Revolution, 2nd edition (New York: Dover
Publishing, Inc., 2001); hereafter Theories.
·Reader on Astronomy and Religion, to be purchased at O'Shaugnessey
Copy Center. Contents:
Books on reserve:
The following books are held in the reserve book room:
·Blackwell, Richard. Galileo, Bellarmine, and the Bible
·Blackwell, Richard. Science, Religion and Authority:
Lessons from the Galileo Affair.
·Brooke, John. Science and Religion: Some Historical
Perspectives.
·Evans, James, The History & Practice of
Ancient Astronomy .
·Feldhay, Rivka. Galileo and the Church: Political Inquisition
or Critical Dialogue?
·Fantoli, Annibale. Galileo: For Copernicanism and for
the Church.
·Finocchiaro, Maurice. The Galileo Affair: A Documentary
History.
·Gingerich, Owen, The Eye of Heaven: Ptolemy, Copernicus,
Kepler.
·Hoskin, Michael, ed. The Cambridge Illustrated
History of Astronomy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
1997.
·Langford, Jerome. Galileo, Science, and the Church.
·Lindberg, David C. and Ronald L. Numbers. God and Nature:
Historical Essays on the Encounter between Christianity and Science.
·Kuhn, Thomas, The Copernican Revolution.
·Machamer, Peter. The Cambridge Companion to Galileo.
·Melanchthon, Philip. Philip Melanchthon: Orations
on Philosophy and Education.
·Neugebauer, Otto, The Exact Sciences in Antiquity;
see esp. Appendix I: "The Ptolemaic System."
·Taton, René, and Curtis Wilson (eds.), Planetary
Astronomy from the Renaissance to the Rise of Astrophysics, Part
A: Tycho Brahe to Newton.
·Westman, Robert (ed.), The Copernican Achievement; see
esp. pp. 35483.Planetary Astronomy from the Renaissance to
the Rise of Astrophysics, Part A: Tycho Brahe to Newton.
·Westman, Robert (ed.), The Copernican Achievement;
see esp. pp. 35483.
Grading:
The grades for this section of the course will be determined as
follows:
Class Participation 10%
Astronomy Problems/Exercises 10%
Ptolemy/Copernicus Essay 40%
Astronomy/Religion Essay 30%
Final Exam 10%
·Class participation will be assessed based on both
the quantity and quality of your contributions to the in-class
discussions. More than two absences will automatically lower your
participation grade; repeated late arrivals will also lower your
grade.
·The astronomy problems/exercises come from Theories.
Answers should be explained, not simply stated. You may discuss
the problems with other students, but you may not plagiarize someone
else's answers.
·Essays will be evaluated primarily for content. Each essay
must be organized around a concise thesis, with arguments that
defend that thesis. Essays should be free of typographical errors,
and should conform to the assigned length (slightly longer papers
will be acceptable, providing their length does not arise simply
from sloppy prose). Repeated mistakes in grammar or style will
adversely affect your grade. Late papers will automatically be
penalized.
·The final exam will be cumulative. A list of questions
will be distributed on the last day of class. Students must choose
two questions, one from each part of the exam, and turn in their
essays at the scheduled final time for their section.
All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Readings should be completed before coming to the class under which they are listed.
Unit II
Mar. 5: Celestial Appearances
Reading: Preface and Ch. 1 of Theories.
Note: As you progress through the first three chapters, perform
the problems (12 of them) and exercises (3 of them). You will
also perform the problems (6 of them) in chapter 6
Mar. 7: Greek Astronomy Before Ptolemy and Mathematical Techniques
Reading: Chs. 23 of Theories.
Spring Break
Mar. 19: Ptolemy
Reading: Chs. 4 of Theories.
Assignment: Astronomy Problems/Exercises of Chs. 13 due.
Mar. 21: Ptolemy, continued, and Medieval Astronomy
Reading: Ch. 5 of Theories.
Mar. 26: Copernicus
Reading: Begin Ch. 6 of Theories.
Mar. 28: Copernicus, continued, and Brahe.
Reading: Finish Ch. 6 and read Ch. 7 of Theories.
Assignment: Astronomy Problems/Exercises of Ch. 6 due.
Apr. 2:Kepler and Galileo
Reading: Chs. 89 of Theories.
Apr. 4: Responses and Review
Reading: Epilogue of Theories.
Apr. 9: Debate: Ptolemaic versus Copernican
Note: Attendance at this session is required. We will stage a
debate between the Ptolemaic and Copernican (and perhaps Tychonic)
systems, based on the positions taken in the essays.
Assignment: Ptolemy/Copernicus Essay due. In an essay of
56 pages, defend either the Ptolemaic or Copernican system
using information available in 1615. (You may also choose to defend
the Tychonic system if you wish; if you do so, be sure to demonstrate
your understanding of both the geocentric and heliocentric systems.)
In defending your position, make clear that you understand the
opposing system(s), but argue for one in particular. You must
determine what information would be most relevant in 1615 to deciding
between the positions, but be sure to discuss a wide range of
issues.
Unit III
Apr. 11: Science and Religion
Reading: Lindberg and Numbers, "Introduction."
Recommended Reading: Brooke,"Interaction between Science
and Religion: Some Preliminary Considerations," ch. 1 of
Science and Religion: Some Historical Perspectives, which
is held in the reserve book room.
Easter
Apr. 18: Copernican Astronomy and Religion, 15431616
Reading: Westman, "The Copernicans and the Churches."
Apr. 23: Lutheran Reactions to Astronomy
Reading: Melanchthon, "Preface to On the Sphere,"
and Barker, "The Role of Religion in the Lutheran Response
to Copernicus."
Apr. 25: Copernican Astronomy and Religion, The Case of Galileo
Reading: Shea, "Galileo and the Church"; begin Finocchiaro,
selections from "Introduction"
Apr. 30: The Trial of Galileo
Reading: Finish Finocchiaro, selections from "Introduction";
and read selected documents from Finocchiaro
May 2: Conclusions
Assignment: Astronomy/Religion Essay due. The essay will
be approximately 3 pages long. A choice of topic questions will
be distributed at least one week before the essay is due.