History and Philosophy of Science
Science is important. At universities, students are taught specialized knowledge and skills that are highly valued in society. In this minor we take a step back and reflect on science itself, both from a historical and a philosophical perspective. By doing this, we remove some of the self-evidence that surrounds our ideas of science, e.g. that it is experimental, objective, critical, and secular. The dominance of science is something to be explained rather than taken for granted. What exactly is the scientific method? do scientific theories, and the entities they speak of, represent reality? Centuries of debate have deepened our understanding of the issues involved – but not resolved them. Needless to say, in this minor, you will be reading, writing and discussing a lot.
Overview
| Amount EC | 30 |
|---|---|
| Start | Period 1 or 2 (depends on which courses you choose) |
| Duration | Depends on which courses you choose |
| Amount of courses | 4 electives |
Content
For the minor you have to choose four courses from the list below. Notice that Kennis en Wetenschap is in Dutch. If you don’t speak Dutch, Introduction to Philosophy of Science is a good alternative.
- Introduction to Philosophy of Science, BETA-B2FGN, level 2, period 2
- Kennis en Wetenschap, FI2V19003, level 2, period 4. (In Dutch)
- Early Modern Knowledges and the Intercultural Encounter, BETA-B2EMK, level 2, period 4
- Making Modern Science: A History of Chemistry, 1750-1950, BETA-B3MMS, level 3, period 1
- History and Philosophy of Biology, B-B3GESB05, level 3, period 4
- Changing Nature: A History of Climatic and Environmental Knowledge, BETA-B3CN, level 3, period 2
- Living Pasts Exploring Futures: Augmenting Urban Landscapes and Ecology in the Digital Age, BETA-B3LH, level 3, period 1
Note: You can attend each of these courses separately. It is not required to be enrolled in the minor to participate in them. The order in which you follow the courses is up to you. To complete the minor, you will also have to register in Osiris.
Application and registration
Entrance requirements
There are no specific prerequisites for this minor. It offers valuable background knowledge and depth to any bachelor programme. Given the highly interdisciplinary nature of the subject, most students will find it refreshingly different. In addition, this minor is the ideal preparation for the master History and Philosophy of Science.
More information?
If you wish to know more, or have questions about this minor, please contact the minor coordinator: