Junior Seminar: Foundational Readings in the History of Science and Medicine

Undergraduate / Graduate

This course is an introduction to some of the foundational readings, methods, and approaches in the history of science and medicine. Organized around a topical survey of philosophical and historical schools, interpretive frameworks, and research methods, this class is meant to introduce students to how historians, anthropologists, sociologists, philosophers, and practicing scientists have grappled with the nature of scientific truth, the growth and development of scientific and medical knowledge, and the problems of how we know what we know about the natural world. No prior experience with the history and sociology of science is necessary. This course is required for the HIPS major and strongly recommended for students interested in pursuing the track in History of Science within the History major.