The Scientific Revolution: Fact or Fiction?

In this course we will explore the major changes in understanding the cosmos, body, and natural world across Western Europe between roughly 1500 and 1800. Encounters with new lands and ideas fueled a significant shift in how the universe was perceived. While traditionally called the "Scientific Revolution," this concept is now debated. We will meet key figures, both well-known like Copernicus and lesser-known like Aldrovandi, who adopted new approaches and incorporated novel ideas into their work. Through lectures and discussions of primary and secondary sources, we will examine how these individuals and European society rethought their fundamental knowledge. Each week we will delve into topics such as astronomy, natural history, dissection, and electricity. By investigating these histories, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of early modern studies within various intellectual, religious, and socio-cultural contexts. By the end of this course students will understand the complexities of the Scientific Revolution and its lasting influence on contemporary scientific thought. Counts for HSMT credit.