Undergraduate Course: Medicine, Science and Politics at the Courts of Early Modern Europe (HIST10280)
Course Outline
School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
Home subject area | History |
Other subject area | None |
Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
Course description | This course investigates the political uses of science in Early Modern Europe. It focuses on the personal and political applications of medical and scientific knowledge at court, looking at the different ways in which scientific knowledge informs, or is informed by, courtly and international politics. The course will also explore the ways in which Early Modern science and technology affected social and political change. The course will address, in turn, some of the following topics: medicine and the body politic; the etiology of court diseases; medicine as spectacle; medicine between university and the court; scientific patronage; science as propaganda; reformed medicine and science; technology, power and display; technology and war; alchemy, astrology and magic at court. Central to this subject will be the development of an understanding of the range of methodological approaches to historical inquiry. Hence discussion of these themes will be informed by sophisticated theoretical analyses from the fields of history and philosophy of science, sociology of science, and anthropology of court society. It is expected that by the end of the course students will have gained an informed understanding of the political, military and social role of science in the Early Modern period. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | A pass or passes in 40 credits of first level historical courses or equivalent and a pass or passes in 40 credits of second level historical courses or equivalent.
Before enrolling students on this course, Directors are asked to contact the History Honours Admission Secretary to ensure that a place is available (Tel: 503783). |
Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites | Visting students should normally have 3 to 4 History courses atgrade B or above.
Before enrolling students on this course, Directors are asked to contact the History Honours Admissions Secretary to ensure a place is available (Tel; 503783). |
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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Delivery period: 2012/13 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: 26 |
Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Central | Seminar | | 1-11 | | | | 16:10 - 18:00 | |
First Class |
First class information not currently available |
Exam Information |
Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours:Minutes |
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Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 2:00 | | |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course students will be required to demonstrate in their course work, written examination and oral presentations the following attributes:
the capacity for analytical and critical thinking;
the ability to assess critically primary and secondary sources, understanding the challenges faced by historians when investigating the past;
the ability to assess the merit of different methodological approaches to the sources;
the capacity to work independently on a research topic and demonstrate the ability to evaluate and use effectively the relevant information;
be able to express themselves clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;
the ability to produce well-argued, well-documented, and properly referenced coursework;
good time-management and the ability to organize the workload effectively so as to meet the established deadlines.
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Assessment Information
One essay of about 3000 words (35% of overall assessment), in-class presentation (10%), class participation across the semester (5%), one two-hour examination paper (50%)
Visiting Student Variant Assessment
One essay of about 3000 words (35% of overall assessment), in-class presentation (10%), class participation across the semester (5%), one two-hour examination paper (50%) |
Special Arrangements
None |
Additional Information
Academic description |
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Syllabus |
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Transferable skills |
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Reading list |
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Study Abroad |
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Study Pattern |
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Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Monica Azzolini
Tel: (0131 6)50 9964
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Rozanne Luty
Tel: (0131 6)50 3783
Email: |
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© Copyright 2012 The University of Edinburgh - 6 March 2012 6:07 am
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