Cultural History of Science
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
This course aims to provide students with critical tools for analysing and interpreting primary and secondary sources in the history of scientific thought, situating them in their philosophical, intellectual, cultural, socio-political and institutional contexts. Through in-depth study of historically significant cases, the course explores the evolution of scientific ideas and technical practices, highlighting the interactions between science, culture and society. The aim is to develop an advanced understanding of the historical dynamics that have shaped the production and circulation of scientific knowledge.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire a basic knowledge of the main issues relating to the relationship between science and contexts, as well as a knowledge of the vocabulary of the discipline. The course will also provide critical tools for independent reading, interpretation and commentary of scientific texts from the past, placing them in their historical context. These skills will be acquired through direct and continuous discussion with the lecturer in the classroom. The discussion of the proposed sources will be a moment of critical reflection and methodological learning. Attending and non-attending students will be able to make use of the didactic tools available on Ariel, to deepen their knowledge of the main topics through special readings agreed with the lecturer and, of course, to discuss with her both by e-mail and during office hours.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Science and Power in the Early Modern Period
Part 1: Galileo and Politics
Part 2: Galileo and the Church
Part 3: In the footsteps of Galileo? The Accademia del Cimento in Florence
Part 1: Galileo and Politics
Part 2: Galileo and the Church
Part 3: In the footsteps of Galileo? The Accademia del Cimento in Florence
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the degree admission
Teaching methods
Attendance to classes is strongly recommended although not compulsory. The teaching is delivered through frontal lectures aimed primarily at the acquisition of knowledge, competence and specific language of the subject. Discussion with the teacher in the classroom is integrant part of the didactic method and aims at promoting a critical attitude and the capacity to apply the acquired competence and knowledge.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (parts 1 and 2)
Textbook (one of the following volumes):
P. Rossi, La nascita della scienza moderna in Europa, 8° edizione, Laterza, Roma 2005
A. Clericuzio, La macchina del mondo. Teorie e pratiche scientifiche dal Rinascimento a Newton, Roma, Carocci, 2012.
Knowledge of the following volumes:
Galileo Galilei, Sidereus Nuncius, a cura di A. Battistini, Marsilio, Venezia 1997
Galileo Galilei, Scienza e religione. Scritti copernicani, a cura di M. Bucciantini e M. Camerota, Donzelli editore, Roma 2009
- Programme for 9 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (parts 1, 2 and 3)
Textbook (one of the following volumes):
P. Rossi, La nascita della scienza moderna in Europa, 8° edizione, Laterza, Roma 2005
A. Clericuzio, La macchina del mondo. Teorie e pratiche scientifiche dal Rinascimento a Newton, Roma, Carocci, 2012.
Knowledge of the following volumes:
Galileo Galilei, Sidereus Nuncius, a cura di A. Battistini, Marsilio, Venezia 1997
Galileo Galilei, Scienza e religione. Scritti copernicani, a cura di M. Bucciantini e M. Camerota, Donzelli editore, Roma 2009
Vincenzo Viviani, Vita di Galileo, a cura di B. Basile, Salerno editrice, Roma 2001
Lorenzo Magalotti, Saggi di naturali esperienze, Sellerio editore, Palermo 2001 (pp. 9-68)
Non-attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Textbook (one of the following volumes):
P. Rossi, La nascita della scienza moderna in Europa, 8° edizione, Laterza, Roma 2005
A. Clericuzio, La macchina del mondo. Teorie e pratiche scientifiche dal Rinascimento a Newton, Roma, Carocci, 2012.
Knowledge of the following volumes:
Galileo Galilei, Sidereus Nuncius, a cura di A. Battistini, Marsilio, Venezia 1997
Galileo Galilei, Scienza e religione. Scritti copernicani, a cura di M. Bucciantini e M. Camerota, Donzelli editore, Roma 2009
M. Camerota, Galileo Galilei e la cultura scientifica nell'età della controriforma, Salerno editrice, Roma 2004, chap. 3-6.
- Programme for 9 cfu:
Textbook (one of the following volumes):
P. Rossi, La nascita della scienza moderna in Europa, 8° edizione, Laterza, Roma 2005
A. Clericuzio, La macchina del mondo. Teorie e pratiche scientifiche dal Rinascimento a Newton, Roma, Carocci, 2012
Knowledge of the following volumes:
Galileo Galilei, Sidereus Nuncius, a cura di A. Battistini, Marsilio, Venezia 1997
Galileo Galilei, Scienza e religione. Scritti copernicani, a cura di M. Bucciantini e M. Camerota, Donzelli editore, Roma 2009
Vincenzo Viviani, Vita di Galileo, a cura di B. Basile, Salerno editrice, Roma 2001
Lorenzo Magalotti, Saggi di naturali esperienze, Sellerio editore, Palermo 2001 (pp. 9-68
M. Camerota, Galileo Galilei e la cultura scientifica nell'età della controriforma, Salerno editrice, Roma 2004, chap. 3-6.
P. Galluzzi, 'L'Accademia del Cimento: "gusti" del principe, filosofia e ideologia dell'esperimento', Quaderni Storici 48, 788-844 (1981).
U. Baldini, 'La scuola galileiana', in Storia d'Italia, Annali, n. 3, Scienza e tecnica nella cultura e nella società dal Rinascimento a oggi, Torino, Einaudi, 1980, pp. 383-463.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (parts 1 and 2)
Textbook (one of the following volumes):
P. Rossi, La nascita della scienza moderna in Europa, 8° edizione, Laterza, Roma 2005
A. Clericuzio, La macchina del mondo. Teorie e pratiche scientifiche dal Rinascimento a Newton, Roma, Carocci, 2012.
Knowledge of the following volumes:
Galileo Galilei, Sidereus Nuncius, a cura di A. Battistini, Marsilio, Venezia 1997
Galileo Galilei, Scienza e religione. Scritti copernicani, a cura di M. Bucciantini e M. Camerota, Donzelli editore, Roma 2009
- Programme for 9 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (parts 1, 2 and 3)
Textbook (one of the following volumes):
P. Rossi, La nascita della scienza moderna in Europa, 8° edizione, Laterza, Roma 2005
A. Clericuzio, La macchina del mondo. Teorie e pratiche scientifiche dal Rinascimento a Newton, Roma, Carocci, 2012.
Knowledge of the following volumes:
Galileo Galilei, Sidereus Nuncius, a cura di A. Battistini, Marsilio, Venezia 1997
Galileo Galilei, Scienza e religione. Scritti copernicani, a cura di M. Bucciantini e M. Camerota, Donzelli editore, Roma 2009
Vincenzo Viviani, Vita di Galileo, a cura di B. Basile, Salerno editrice, Roma 2001
Lorenzo Magalotti, Saggi di naturali esperienze, Sellerio editore, Palermo 2001 (pp. 9-68)
Non-attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Textbook (one of the following volumes):
P. Rossi, La nascita della scienza moderna in Europa, 8° edizione, Laterza, Roma 2005
A. Clericuzio, La macchina del mondo. Teorie e pratiche scientifiche dal Rinascimento a Newton, Roma, Carocci, 2012.
Knowledge of the following volumes:
Galileo Galilei, Sidereus Nuncius, a cura di A. Battistini, Marsilio, Venezia 1997
Galileo Galilei, Scienza e religione. Scritti copernicani, a cura di M. Bucciantini e M. Camerota, Donzelli editore, Roma 2009
M. Camerota, Galileo Galilei e la cultura scientifica nell'età della controriforma, Salerno editrice, Roma 2004, chap. 3-6.
- Programme for 9 cfu:
Textbook (one of the following volumes):
P. Rossi, La nascita della scienza moderna in Europa, 8° edizione, Laterza, Roma 2005
A. Clericuzio, La macchina del mondo. Teorie e pratiche scientifiche dal Rinascimento a Newton, Roma, Carocci, 2012
Knowledge of the following volumes:
Galileo Galilei, Sidereus Nuncius, a cura di A. Battistini, Marsilio, Venezia 1997
Galileo Galilei, Scienza e religione. Scritti copernicani, a cura di M. Bucciantini e M. Camerota, Donzelli editore, Roma 2009
Vincenzo Viviani, Vita di Galileo, a cura di B. Basile, Salerno editrice, Roma 2001
Lorenzo Magalotti, Saggi di naturali esperienze, Sellerio editore, Palermo 2001 (pp. 9-68
M. Camerota, Galileo Galilei e la cultura scientifica nell'età della controriforma, Salerno editrice, Roma 2004, chap. 3-6.
P. Galluzzi, 'L'Accademia del Cimento: "gusti" del principe, filosofia e ideologia dell'esperimento', Quaderni Storici 48, 788-844 (1981).
U. Baldini, 'La scuola galileiana', in Storia d'Italia, Annali, n. 3, Scienza e tecnica nella cultura e nella società dal Rinascimento a oggi, Torino, Einaudi, 1980, pp. 383-463.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Method: oral exam
- Type of examination: oral interrogation;
- Evaluation criteria: knowledge of the main methodologies and contents of the course; capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reading of the texts in program; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialised lexicon;
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s;
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
- Type of examination: oral interrogation;
- Evaluation criteria: knowledge of the main methodologies and contents of the course; capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reading of the texts in program; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialised lexicon;
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s;
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
M-STO/05 - HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
M-STO/05 - HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)