2023 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses

History of Science B

Academic unit or major: Humanities and social science courses
Instructor(s): Riki Kudo
Class Format: Lecture (Face-to-face)
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): 1-2 Mon (M-110(H112)) / 1-2 Thu (M-110(H112))
Class: -
Course Code: LAH.T202
Number of credits: 200
Course offered: 2023
Offered quarter: 3Q
Syllabus updated: Jul 8, 2025
Language: Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

This course discusses the process by which modern science was established in the West.
Students will understand that research of natural sciences being carried out around the world is in a flow of intellectual inheritance from antiquity. Students will also develop an openness to the ever-changing science through an understanding of old sciences different from those of the present.

Course description and aims

(1) Understand the process by which modern science was established in the West.
(2) Understand that modern science is on the line continued from the antiquity.
(3) Understand the sciences which differ from those of the present.

Keywords

History of Science, Mathematics, Physics, Philosophy, Methodology of Science, Western History

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

In the first half of the class time, the previous lecture is reviewed and questions from students are answered. In the second half of the class time, the content of that day is lectured.
At the end of each lecture, questions and/or comments should be submitted as a short report.
Through short reports, a mid-term report and an exam, students will deepen their understanding of history of science and develop their ability to express their understanding in words.
Note that some lecture content may be changed according to progress and demand.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Guidance and Introduction: What is science?	To understand the question "What is science?"
Class 2	Mysticism and science (1)	To understand number mysticism and idealism in ancient Greece.
Class 3	Methodology of scientific research (1)	To understand methodology of scientific research in ancient Greece.
Class 4	Inheritance of Knowledge（1）	To understand how the knowledge in ancient Greece was succeeded to Islaam and Europe.
Class 5	Inheritance of Knowledge（2）	To understand the emergence of University in medieval Europe and the sciences taught there.
Class 6	Expansion of the world (1)	To understand the rapid expansion of intellectual and physical world in west Europe beginning with the age of discovery.
Class 7	Methodology of scientific research (2)	To understand that Aristotle's theory was defeated by his own methodology.
Class 8	Science, art and music	To understand the close relationship among science, art and music in early modern Europe.
Class 9	Expansion of the world (2)	To understand new cosmology and Copernicus' Heliocentrism.
Class 10	Mysticism and science (2)	To understand the relationship between modern science and mysticism using Kepler as an example.
Class 11	Methodology of scientific research (3)	To understand the methodology of science of Francis Bacon and René Descartes and their impact on the later generations.
Class 12	The birth of modern science（1）	To understand the role of experiment in modern science using Galileo Galilei as an Example.
Class 13	The birth of modern science（2）	To understand Isaac Newton's mechanics.
Class 14	Summary	To review the knowledge obtained so far through an examination.

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to course material.

Textbook(s)

None. Handouts will be distributed as required.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Takehiko Hashimoto, Kagaku no Hassou wo Tazunete (Tokyo: Sayusha, 2010).
Yasu Furukawa, Kagaku no Shakaishi (Tokyo: Chikuma Gakugei Bunko, 2018).
Hyodo et al., Kagaku to Gijutu no Ayumi (Tokyo: Muisuri Shuppan, 2019).
Others will be introduced in class.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Short Reports 20％, Mid-term Report 40％, Exam 40％

Related courses

LAH.T102 ： History of Science A
LAH.T302 ： History of Science C
LAH.T106 ： Philosophy of Science A
LAH.T306 ： Philosophy of Science C

Prerequisites

None.