Admission Requirements
Bachelor degree (completed)
Description
Most people know Copernicus, Darwin, Einstein, or Crick, and are able to indicate in a few words what their contribution to our knowledge are. But who can do the same for Aristotle, Scaliger, Descartes, Wittgenstein, Popper, or Quine? This course focuses on ideas across both the humanities and sciences that have impacted on the way we see the world today. Who were the great minds behind these ideas, what were their methods, motives, and what drove them?
In addition, the course investigates the current divide in the academic world between sciences and humanities. The “two cultures” are approached from a historical and science-philosophical perspective, as well as through hands-on experience. Students with a background in the sciences can engage in a small research project using methods and materials from the humanities, and students with a background in the humanities can take up a small scientific research project. The course concludes with a discussion of opportunities and challenges for “consilience” through multidisciplinary and topic-oriented scholarship.
Course Objectives
Comprehension of how particular discoveries and works across the sciences and humanities have impacted the way we see the world. Deepened understanding of the current divide between sciences and humanities, in terms of methods, approaches, and “research culture”.
Time Table
The dates are included in the Media Technology calendar
Mode of Instruction
Lectures and self study
Assessment Method
Homework assignments (20%), written exam (40%), research project (40%)
Blackboard
Reading List
Study materials will be provided by the lecturer during the course
Registration
You have to sign up for courses and exams (including retakes) in uSis.
Please also register for the course in [Blackboard].
Due to limited capacity, non-Media Technology students (external and exchange) can only register after consultation with and approval of the programme coordinator/study advisor (mailto:mediatechnology@leiden.edu).
Contact
Barbara Visscher-van Grinsven, programme coordinator/study advisor for the Media Technology MSc programme (mailto:mediatechnology@leiden.edu).
Remarks
Curriculum link