Science in the Twentieth Century and Beyond (HPSC0087)
Intellectual developments were intimately connected to social, economic, political and cultural trendsand events, not least global conflicts, ideological clashes and economic transformations.
More science was done, and more scientists lived, in the twentieth century than in any other century of human history. Furthermore, there were major changes in the framing ideas and organisation of major disciplines. Physics, for example, grappled with the new ideas of quantum theory and relativity. The life sciences responded to genetics and molecular approaches to life science. Geology uncovered evidence for continental drift, while astronomy explored an expanding universe. Social science experimented with new methods to measure society and the individual within it. These intellectual developments were intimately connected to social, economic, political and cultural trends and events, not least global conflicts, ideological clashes and economic transformations.
This course introduces and guides the student through accounts of these changes produced by historians and other commentators. The assessment is designed so that the student learns, develops and applies skills to explore primary sources (primarily archives of twentieth century science), relating interpretation to an understanding of context based on secondary sources
Course Objectives:
By the end of this module students should be able to:
- Have an overview of main developments and themes of science in the twentieth century
- Possess an understanding of the historiography of science in the twentieth century
Full pdf details:
UCL Module Catalogue: Science in the 20th Century and Beyond (HPSC0087)