How did Newton go from supposedly having an apple fall on his head to forming an elegant understanding of gravity? While science may seem to be a source for absolute truths and certainty of knowledge, the reality is not that simple: (a) The “truths” of science are not absolute – even Newton’s law of gravitation is law no more, and; (b) the process of coming up with scientific theories is more human than you may currently believe – and that process, too, has evolved over the thousands of years of human endeavor. This course touches on the former and focuses on the latter – the Scientific Method(s) – through which scientific theories are produced.
Through the course, you will be introduced to the historical development of scientific approaches based on a variety of philosophical perspectives. That history will then be connected to the modern use of the scientific method, along with the tools and resources scientists deploy to produce the scientific body of knowledge. Instruction in the course will include working with case studies that showcase the workings as well as the limitations of the modern approach to scientific practice.
As part of the Liberal Core, this course is particularly useful and central to your development in a world where science, in public discourse, is being weaponized increasingly to peddle pseudoscience and to shape cultural narratives. The course is designed to deliver both an understanding of and an experience in how the scientific community tackles inquiry to pursue solutions, with the intention of contributing to a holistic manner of thought among students.
