History of Pre-Modern Science and Technology

The course will prepare students to analyze texts related to ancient natural philosophy, medicine, and technology in the Mediterranean world by placing them in their philosophical, social, and cultural contexts.
The formal objectives of the course include understanding the methods of the history of science and using these methods to interpret the development of ideas and practices regarding the natural world during this period.

1. Understanding to the primary features of ancient natural philosophy.
Knowledge of terminology related to ancient natural philosophy.
Understanding of how natural philosophy changed and developed during this period.
Understanding of how society and culture interacted with theories about nature.
2. The ability to analyze natural philosophical texts written in this time period.
The ability to place writings about nature in their social and cultural contexts.
3. The ability to create historical narratives based on ancient texts.
The ability to formulate reasoned arguments regarding the history of ancient natural philosophy and science.
4. The ability to communicate ideas about the history of ancient natural philosophy and medicine in written exams.
5. The ability to critique modern interpretations of ancient science.