Admission requirements
Students should possess a basic knowledge of the history of Christianity and have a working knowledge of English and German. A working knowledge of French is also welcomed.
Description
This seminar considers the significance of developments in science and technology for religion, particularly for the view of God. How is our perception of nature and of nature’s God changed by scientific discoveries and technological inventions?
In early modern Europe the prevailing view of God was basically inspired by that of a Renaissance prince, punishing his subjects’ disobedience severely. Consequently, natural disasters were simply considered chastisements. The mechanisation of the world picture during the seventeenth century, however, proved to be the start of an important change. Using Newtonian physics and claiming a nearly infinite comprehensibility of nature and its laws, enlightened intellectuals put God at a distance. Rational religion could do without fear and ‘superstition.’ Nature seemed to be a place of harmony and divine benevolence. Increasing human control of natural phenomena, facilitated by such technological inventions as Benjamin Franklin’s lightning-rod, made man more self-confident.
The Enlightenment sense of cosmic harmony was hampered by some instability, however. For instance, the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 gave a new urgency to the problem of theodicy. In addition to causing religious problems, devastating natural phenomena roused new esthetical sensations, thus creating the new category of the sublime and preparing the way for Romanticism.
In this course we will focus on the evolution of science, technology, and the perception of God and of nature during more than three centuries, studying a wealth of secondary literature. This course may shed more light on the relationship of science and religion and on subtle secularisation trends in the early modern period.
Course objectives
Korte en bondige aanduiding (liefst als een lijst met punten) van de leerdoelen geformuleerd in termen van kennis, inzicht en vaardigheden waarover de student na afronding van de cursus beschikt. De leerdoelen van de afzonderlijke cursus dienen in relatie te staan tot de eindtermen van de opleiding als geheel. Zie ook hieronder, bij “Eindtermen”
The MA-seminar will confront students with basic topics concerning the relationship between science and religion in a formative period of Western religious history. They will study the evolution of pre-modern and modern views of God and nature from the comparative perspective, both temporally and internationally. Furthermore, they will review current theories of secularization.
Timetable
See Time table
Mode of instruction
The seminar will meet once a week during the semester.
For each class students are required to read the literature and to summarize the main topics of each chapter; the summary is to be presented in class.
Furthermore, for each class they are asked to formulate 2 or 3 questions related to the material. They will present these questions during class discussion.
In the concluding essay (4000 words) students are expected to write an assessment, book review style, putting the material in a comparative perspective.
Course Load
Literature reading for classes 14 × 2 h. = 28 h (= 1 EC)
Writing concluding paper = 112 h. (= 4 EC)
Assessment method
Reading assignments, presentations and class discussions (40%)
Essay (60 %).
Blackboard
Yes, blackboard is used for making announcements, for enrolling students and for the submission of papers via safe assign
Reading list
− Peter Coates, Nature: Western Attitudes since Ancient Times, Berkeley and Los Angeles 1998 − D.G. Charlton, New Images of the Natural in France. A Study in European Cultural History 1750-1800, Cambridge 1984
− other reading material will be distributed during class
Registration
Via uSis
In addition to the registration in uSis, students are also expected to self-enroll in blackboard a few weeks before the course starts.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Studeren à la carte
Registration Contractonderwijs
Remarks
The course will be given only if a minimum of 4 regular students will sign up for it. Otherwise special arrangements will be made with students (supervised readings – less meetings).
As there is a limited availability of relevant literature in Leiden University Library, student are requested to make use of other Dutch University Libraries as well.
Remarks
Please contact Dr. J.W. Buisman before signing up for this course (j.w.buisman@hum.leidenuniv.nl)