Htst371 f12 Lec1 Outline

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UNIVERSITY OF CALGARYHTST371:HI STORY OFMAGIC,SCIENCE, ANDRELIGION

Fall 2012

Dr. Glenn R. Wilkinson

Office: SS 615 Telephone: (403)220-2987

E-mail:[email protected] Office Hours: MWF 1.00-2.00pm or by

appointment

Course Times: MWF 12.0012.50 pm Location: ICT 122

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThis course embarks on an historical study of the development of and relationships among three

worldviews by which Europeans have sought to understand the universe and human nature.

Starting from late antiquity, the course will include the following topics: early Christianity andthe natural world, the development of witchcraft, Christian responses to Greek science and

philosophy, Hermetic magic in the Renaissance, and the Trial of Galileo.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this course include: the understanding of changing paradigms and world views;

the development of critical thinking; the writing of research papers, and fostering the ability tounderstand the purpose and importance of historical enquiry.

COURSE READINGS:Edward Grant, Science and Religion, 400 B.C.A. D. 1550: From Aristotle to

Copernicus (Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 2004)

Jeffrey B. Russell,A History of Witchcraft: Sorcerers, Heretics and Pagans (London:

Thames and Hudson, 1997)Gary Ferngren, editor, Science and Religion: A Historical Introduction (Baltimore:

Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002)

Osler, Margaret J.,Reconfiguring the World(Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University

Press, 2002) [On Reserve]Various on-line resources

ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMINATIONSThe assignments in the course are designed to balance between written work and examinations.

All of them must be completed in order to pass this course. Late assignments will be subject to a

5% penalty per day late. All assignments are due at the start of each class and should be

submitted in twoformats: a physical hard-copy and an electronic copy in the course Blackboarddropbox. Both must be in on time to avoid incurring late penalties. Accommodations will be

made in exceptional circumstances if accompanied by an acceptable note from a medical doctor

or counsellor. A busy schedule of extracurricular or work activities will not be a sufficientexcuse for late or incomplete assignments.

For advice and guidance in writing essays, read The History Students Handbook(http://hist.ucalgary.ca/sites/hist.ucalgary.ca/files/EssayHandbook1.pdf) or go to the History

Departments Home Page (http://hist.ucalgary.ca/). Be sure to read the section on plagiarism
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://hist.ucalgary.ca/sites/hist.ucalgary.ca/files/EssayHandbook1.pdfhttp://hist.ucalgary.ca/sites/hist.ucalgary.ca/files/EssayHandbook1.pdfhttp://hist.ucalgary.ca/sites/hist.ucalgary.ca/files/EssayHandbook1.pdfhttp://hist.ucalgary.ca/http://hist.ucalgary.ca/http://hist.ucalgary.ca/http://hist.ucalgary.ca/http://hist.ucalgary.ca/sites/hist.ucalgary.ca/files/EssayHandbook1.pdfmailto:[email protected]


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carefully and make sure that you give proper credit to the sources of your work. Failure to do so

will result in a failing grade and possible disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty is a serious

offence that can lead to a failing grade and/or expulsion from the University.

Outline and Annotated Bibliography

Students will create an outline for the major project that is at least one page in length.The outline should state your thesis (what you plan to prove or the question you wish toanswer) and how you wish to organise your work. The bibliography should consist of at

least 10 sources (books, journal articles and academic web sites) with a paragraph

explaining how and why you plan to use the source. You should also state the manner inwhich you plan to construct your project. The more information you give me the more

marks I can give. This is not a contractyou can change your topic or approach before

you write your essay. Please note that encyclopaedias (including Wikipedia) and non-

scholarly websites are not appropriate resources for post-secondary level work.

Due: October 5

Value: 10%

Mid-term ExaminationMid-term examination will cover material discussed in the lectures and the readings. It

will consist of single-word answers and short-answer questions.

Date: November 2

Value: 20%

Term PaperPapers must deal with the relationship between at least two of the three areas (magic,

science, religion) in the thought of an individual who lived and wrote in the period

covered by the course (approximately 300 BC through 1630 AD). Research for the paper

must be based on the student's reading of the individual's own writings. The length of thepaper to be 10-12 pages double-spaced. Your essay must use footnote citations, and have

a thesis or point. I will read rough drafts (in any form) up to a week before the due date.

Due: December 3

Value: 40%

Exam #2 Final ExamStudents will be able to concentrate on topics of their choice.

Date: Scheduled by the Registrar

Value: 30%

GRADING TABLESThe following is a table of the conversion between a percentage grade and a letter grade. For

GPA values and letter grade equivalents please see the University of Calgary Calendar.

A+ 96-100 B+ 81-85 C+ 66-70 D+ 51-55

A 91-95 B 76-80 C 61-65 D 46-50

A- 86-90 B- 71-75 C- 56-60 F 0-45

The A range denotes exceptional performance; goes far beyond the standards required


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by the assignment, examination, or course.

The B range denotes above average performance; exceeds standards required by the

assignment, examination, or course.The C range denotes average performance; meets standards required by the assignment,

examination, or course.

TheD

range denotes below average performance; does not meet standards required bythe assignment, examination, or course.An F denotes incomplete or inadequate performance; unable to show competence in the

assignment, examination, or course.

COURSE TIMETABLE

This schedule is a rough guide and might be altered to take into consideration student interest,

time constraints or other unforeseen situations.

Week 1: September 10-14: IntroductionReading:

Grant, Chapters 1 and 2

Colin A. Russell, The Conflict of Science and Religion, in Gary Ferngren, editor,Science and Religion: A Historical Introduction

David B. Wilson, The Historiography of Science and Religion, in Gary Ferngren,

editor, Science and Religion: A Historical Introduction

Week 2: September 17-21: Greeks and HebrewsReading:

Grant, Chapter 3

Edward Grant, Aristotle and Aristotelianism, in Gary Ferngren, editor, Science and

Religion: A Historical Introduction

Week 3: September 24-28: Medieval Witchcraft: Theologians and InquisitorsReading:

Russell, Chapters 1 and 2

Week 4: October 1-5: Medieval Witchcraft: Popular Culture and PersecutionReading:

Russell, Chapters 3 and 4

*Outlines and Bibliographies due Friday October 5*

Week 5: October 10-12: The Middle Ages: Science as HandmaidenReading:

Grant, Chapters 4 and 5; selection by Roger Bacon

David C. Lindberg, Early Christian Attitudes toward Nature, in Gary Ferngren, editor,Science and Religion: A Historical Introduction

Week 6: October 15-19: The Making of Medieval Natural PhilosophyChristianity

Confronts Greek PhilosophyReading:


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Grant, Chapters 6; selections by Giles of Rome, Saint Bonaventure, and Saint Thomas

Aquinas

Alnoor Dhanani, Islam, in Gary Ferngren, editor, Science and Religion: A Historical

Introduction

Week 7: October 22-26: Natural Philosophy and Natural Theology in the Middle Ages

Reading:Grant, Chapters 7 and 8; selections by Albert of Saxony and Nicole OresmeLindberg, Medieval Science and Religion, in Gary Ferngren, editor, Science and

Religion: A Historical Introduction

Week 8: October 29-November 2: Renaissance HumanismThe Search for Ancient

OriginsReading:

Osler, Introduction and Chapters 1 and 7

*Midterm ExaminationFriday November 2*

Week 9: November 5-9: Hermes Trismegistus and the Rise of High Magic

Reading:

http://www.iep.utm.edu/ficino/

http://angelavoss.org/files/2011/11/Introduction-to-Marsilio-Ficino-WEM1.pdf

Week 10: November 14-16: Alchemy and Astrology in the RenaissanceReading:

Osler, Chapter 6

Week 11: November 19-23: The Reformation and the Witchcraze

Reading:Russell, Chapters 4, 5, and 6

Week 12:November 26-30: Copernicus and GalileoReading:

Owen Gingrich, The Copernican Revolution, in Gary Ferngren, editor, Science and

Religion: A Historical IntroductionRichard J. Blackwell, Galileo Galilei, in Gary Ferngren, editor, Science and Religion: A

Historical Introduction

*Term Papers Due Friday December 3*

Week 13: December 3-7: Review

*Final Examination Determined by the Registrar*

[Please do not book your holidays before you know the schedule]
http://www.iep.utm.edu/ficino/http://www.iep.utm.edu/ficino/http://angelavoss.org/files/2011/11/Introduction-to-Marsilio-Ficino-WEM1.pdfhttp://angelavoss.org/files/2011/11/Introduction-to-Marsilio-Ficino-WEM1.pdfhttp://angelavoss.org/files/2011/11/Introduction-to-Marsilio-Ficino-WEM1.pdfhttp://www.iep.utm.edu/ficino/

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Htst371 f12 Lec1 Outline