HIST UN2112

We learned about the scientific revolution, the various new philosophies and worldviews developed in addition to new technologies. We also explored the influence of the occult and mystic on modern scientific thought (ex. alchemy as a precursor to chemistry and modern laboratory practices), showed gradual trends from the fall of Rome in the fifth century CE to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and more.

I learned about major figures from the scientific revolution, the hierarchies of knowledge from 1500-1800 and the evolution of modern scientific concepts. I learned a lot of information that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life: the bedrock of modern understanding of the world. I learned to question historical bias that views the progression of science as linear or secular, because the actual transformation was quite messy, religiously influenced, and alinear.

I learned about the evolution of scientific practices in Western Europe from 1500-1750.

You will learn that, though it is convenient, the "Scientific Revolution" is not a particularly apt descriptor for a period of time during which the foundation of modern academic science was being developed, whether institutions, fields of thought, ways of thinking, advances in technology, etc.

This class had robust discussion of epistemology and of ways of knowing in different disciplines of natural philosophy. This class reformed the way I approach history, as it included a lot of historiography, too; in section, the TA helped dissect notable works by prominent 20th century historians and taught us to deconstruct and critique their arguments. This class does not give an overly simplistic view of the "Scientific Revolution", but rather encourages critical comparisons between traditions across disciplines––including alchemy, magic, experimental traditions, practical mathematics, etc (with plenty of crash-courses on Aristotelian physics sprinkled in). I feel enlightened and have noticed improvements in the sophistication my approach to of other types of histories as a direct result of this class, and have learned a lot of outdated "sciences" along the way! I have also viewed modern science in a different light due to the developments about which I learned in this class.

I would highly recommend this class to someone who is very interested in the History of Science (especially in the early modern period in Europe). For someone trying out a history class or exploring the history major, I wouldn't really recommend this course. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2021 Course: HISTUN2112_001_2021_3-SCIREVOL-WESTERNEUROPE : HISTUN2112_001_2021_3 - SCI REVOL-WESTERN EUROPE Instructor: Matthew Jones