COURSE INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION INFORMATION


Course Name
Natural Science
Code
Semester
Theory
(hour/week)
Application/Lab
(hour/week)
Local Credits
ECTS
GENS 205
Fall/Spring
3
0
3
4
Prerequisites
None
Course Language
English
Course Type
Service Course
Course Level
First Cycle
Mode of Delivery -
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course
Course Coordinator
Course Lecturer(s)
Assistant(s) -
Course Objectives This course introduces the history of Western mankind's changing understanding of the natural world from Greek antiquity through the Scientific Revolution of the 17th century.
Learning Outcomes The students who succeeded in this course;
  • The students who succeed in this course will become familiar with the developments (and their significances in their respective historical contexts) of scientific thought from the beginning of history to the 17th century.
Course Description See Schedule
Related Sustainable Development Goals

 



Course Category

Core Courses
Major Area Courses
Supportive Courses
Media and Managment Skills Courses
Transferable Skill Courses

 

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week Subjects Required Materials
1 Introduction Discussion Topic: Does the word science accurately describe Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek thought about nature? Why is "scientist" in quotation marks in the syllabus? Should it be? Reading: Lindberg ch. 1
2 The Pre-Socratics Discussion Topic: What was the "problem of change?" Was it more severe than "the problem of knowledge?" Reading: Lindberg ch. 2, Parmenides on Blackboard
3 Plato Discussion Topic: From Plato's point of view, what was his single most important concept? Why would Plato think it was the most important? Explain Plato's successful theory of nature. Reading: Lindberg ch. 2,3, Plato on Blackboard
4 Aristotle Discussion Topic: From Aristotle's point of view, what was his single most important concept? Why would Aristotle think it was the most important? Explain Aristotle's successful theory of nature. Reading: Lindberg ch. 3,4 Aristotle on Blackboard
5 Ptolemy, Galen, Greek natural philosophers in review Discussion Topic: What exactly were Plato's and Aristotle's respective influences on Greek astronomy just before Ptolemy? Was astronomy then more Platonic or more Aristotelian, or neither? Reading: Lindberg ch. 4,5, 6 Aristarchus, and Ptolemy on Blackboard
6 1st Midterm
7 Early Medieval Science in Europe and Islamic world Discussion Topic: In medieval science, which word best describes the relationship between science and religion: harmony, separation, conflict? Why? Reading: Lindberg ch. 7-11
8 Vesalius, Harvey Discussion Topic: What were Vesalius and Harvey's major contributions to 16th century medical sciences? Reading: Lindberg ch. 13, Dear Ch.2 & 7, Harvey on Blackboard
9 Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Kepler, Galileo Discussion Topic: What were Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Kepler, and Galileo's major contributions to 16th century astronomical sciences? Reading: Dear Ch.2 & 7
10 Descartes Discussion Topic: From Descartes' point of view, what was his single most important concept? Why would Descartes think it was the most important? Explain Descartes' successful theory of nature. Reading: Dear Ch.2 & 4, Descartes on Blackboard
11 2nd Midterm
12 Newton Reading: Dear Ch.6,7,8
13 Newton Reading: Dear Ch.6,7,8
14 General Review
15 Review of the Semester
16 Review of the Semester
Course Notes/Textbooks
Suggested Readings/Materials

 

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities Number Weigthing
Participation
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
1
15
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
2
20
Presentation / Jury
Project
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterm
2
30
Final Exam
1
35
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade
4
65
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade
1
35
Total

ECTS / WORKLOAD TABLE

Semester Activities Number Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
3
48
Laboratory / Application Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
Study Hours Out of Class
0
Field Work
1
11
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
1
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury
Project
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterms
2
20
Final Exams
1
30
    Total
129

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP

#
Program Competencies/Outcomes
* Contribution Level
1
2
3
4
5
1

To be able to acquire a sound knowledge of fundamental concepts, theories, principles and methods of investigation specific to the economic field.

2

To be able to apply adequate mathematical, econometric, statistical and data analysis models to process economic data and to implement scientific research for development of economic policies.

3

To be able to participate in academic, professional, regional, and global networks and to utilize these networks efficiently.

4

To be able to have adequate social responsibility with regards to the needs of the society and to organize the activities to influence social dynamics in line with social goals.

5

To be able to integrate the knowledge and training acquired during the university education with personal education and produce a synthesis of knowledge one requires.

6

To be able to evaluate his/her advance level educational needs and do necessary planning to fulfill those needs through the acquired capability to think analytically and critically.

7

To be able to acquire necessary skills to integrate social dynamics into economic process both as an input and an output.

8

To be able to link accumulated knowledge acquired during the university education with historical and cultural qualities of the society and be able to convey it to different strata of society.

9

To be able to take the responsibility as an individual and as a team member.

10

To be able to attain social, scientific and ethical values at the data collection, interpretation and dissemination stages of economic analysis.

11

To be able to collect data in economics and communicate with colleagues in a foreign language ("European Language Portfolio Global Scale", Level B1)

12

To be able to speak a second foreign at a medium level of fluency efficiently.

13

To be able to relate the knowledge accumulated throughout human history to their field of economics.

*1 Lowest, 2 Low, 3 Average, 4 High, 5 Highest