2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
HPSC1010 The Scientific Revolution
10 creditsClass Size: 150
Module manager: Annie Jamieson
Email: phlakj@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2008/09
This module is approved as an Elective
Module summary
The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries witnessed the most profound changes that have ever taken place in knowledge of the natural world, and it is this cluster of developments that is known as the Scientific Revolution. For instance, the Earth became a planet, William Harvey discovered the circulation of the blood, Isaac Newton posited universal gravitation, physics became experimental (whereas previously, experimentation had been confined to alchemy) and the Royal Society came into being.The course will trace these changes, bringing in the work of such leading figures as Kepler, Galileo, Descartes and Bacon, and then will ask whether the concept of the "Scientific Revolution" is in fact an adequate one. Each of the eleven lectures will be accompanied by extracts from original source-materials, and there are five tutorials with guided reading and set questions to consolidate your learning. No knowledge of science is presumed; the course is suitable for students from Arts disciplines such as History. Assessment is by a 1,500-word essay and a one-hour exam. For more details contact Annie Jamieson (email a.k.jamieson@leeds.ac.uk).Objectives
To introduce selected major topics in the historical development of European science from 1500-1750.Syllabus
The new astronomy of the 17th century; the new physics from Galileo to Newton; the Scientific Revolution (including Descartes, Bacon, the Royal Society); Science and the Enlightenment.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Tutorial | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
| Private study hours | 84.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 16.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
Lecture Preparation 11 x 4 hoursTutorial Preparation 5 x 5 hours
Essay Preparation & Writing 1 x 15 hours
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
1 x 1,500 word essay and 1 x 1hr examMethods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 1,500 words | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1 hr | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 27/02/2008
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