Topics
Choose from the topics listed here -- OR address a topic recommended to you personally by me. Other topics are welcome!--but please check in advance.

IDEAS = DUE BY WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

1. Discuss how several modern ideas, concepts or terms reflect their history. (That is, describe how each shows evidence of the particulars of culture and persons of its origin, not merely an abstract relationship to nature or the evidence.) Comment on what these examples reveal about the process of science, in general.
2. Using at least 3 case studies as examples, discuss how ideas develop in science. Namely, consider general contributing factors by asking, "why did idea X develop at this time with this person(s) in the way that it did?"
3. Using at least 3 case studies as examples, compare well informed history of several well known ideas in science with the popular perspective about their origin, content and impact, and profile the important "lessons learned".

   METHODS & INSTITUTIONS

4. Discuss the historical roots of methods in science as currently practiced, including statistics, controlled experiments and instruments (or lab techniques). Deeper: Discuss their relevance to the historical development of scientific ideas. DUE BY MONDAY, NOV. 21
5. Discuss the historical roots of institutions in science as currently practiced, including sources of funding, scientific communication and public decision-making. Deeper: Discuss their relevance to the historical development of scientific ideas. DUE BY MONDAY, DEC. 5
6. OR Combine #4 and #5, addressing 3 of the 6 elements noted. Deeper: Discuss the historical relevance of practice to the development of scientific ideas. DUE BY MONDAY, DEC. 5
7. Analyze, using several examples from our simulations, the social and institutional structure of science. Consider especially: (a) comparison of your role to other roles' perspectives (for 3815, incl. LeGrand, Ch. 5 on continental drift); (b) comparison of the situated/prospective perspective and the outcome/retrospect. Deeper: Comment further on the relevance of your analysis in the context of common views of history (perhaps including your view prior to class). DUE BY MONDAY, DEC. 5

   RETROSPECTIVE

8. Using several examples, discuss the nature of history of science and of interpreting history, including perhaps the role of contingency, details, particulars, happenstance and "chance" events or meetings. Deeper: Further, discuss the roles of timelines in rendering history (perhaps sequences versus causal connections). Challenging: Discuss the contrast between historical contingency and the notion of scientific knowledge as not contingent (based on universal, objective evidence). DUE BY WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14
9. Using several diverse examples, discuss the significance of the questions, "Whose history of science?", especially in the context of the popular mythic or heroic perspectives of history of science. DUE BY FRIDAY, DEC. 16
10. OR Using numerous diverse examples, discuss the relationship between various myths and emblems of science and scientists in history in our culture (including class icon?) and the history and its factors as discussed in this course. DUE BY FRIDAY, DEC. 16
11. Other? What have you learned that cannot be well expressed in the topics above? Contact me with your proposed essay topic.

Guide to interpret Douglas' markings.