FutureLearn

The Scientific Revolution: Understanding the Roots of Modern Science (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Groningen,
The Scientific Revolution: Understanding the Roots of Modern Science (FutureLearn)

Learn about the seventeenth-century Scientific Revolution and its role in shaping the modern Western world. How did the science of today come about? What constitutes ‘modern’ science? How does science relate to religion? Answer these questions and more with this course that travels back in time to the seventeenth-century Scientific Revolution to explore the roots of modern science.

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In this course you will critically explore the history of science, challenging established simplistic narratives of how science has developed. You will also examine modern scientific methods, the relationship between science, religion and secularism, and, if you work in science, consider the origins of our own discipline.

Syllabus

Week 1: What was the scientific revolution?
Week 2: What was the scientific method?
Week 3: The Scientific Revolution in context

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Reflect on the historical background of your own scientific discipline by tracing it back to its seventeenth-century roots
  • Interpret texts about scientific practices of the past
  • Engage critically with ideas about the overall role and meaning of scientific disciplines and practices
  • Produce a short blog post about the historical background of your discipline
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