Joint Major in History and History of Science
Requirements for the Major
Honors in the Major
Courses
7143 Social Science Building, 1180 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706; 608/262-1406; http://histsci.wisc.edu
Professors Leavitt, Mitman, Numbers, Nyhart, Shank; Associate Professors Broman, Schatzberg; Assistant Professors Houck, Hsia, Keller, Staley; Senior Lecturer Rider
Chair: Thomas Broman, thbroman@wisc.edu
Undergraduate advisor in the major: Professor Michael Shank, 7135 Social Science Building, 262-3972, mhshank@wisc.edu
Faculty diversity liaison: Judith Leavitt, jwleavit@wisc.edu
The history of science major offers an unusual opportunity to examine the changing historical content of the sciences, technology, and medicine, as well as their interaction with the surrounding cultures, using the methods of the humanities and, to a lesser extent, the social sciences. The goal is to introduce students to the sciences both as ways of knowing and as multifaceted and changing cultural phenomena. In addition to developing a broad historical understanding of science, technology, and medicine, and their place in world culture, students who complete the major will also develop their skills of critical reading and writing, learning to assess and use historical data to present their own interpretive arguments.
The major offers excellent training to students who seek an intellectually stimulating education across both humanities and sciences. It provides special opportunities for students seeking careers in medicine and allied health professions and other fields (such as law, journalism, education, library science, or government service) for which a critical understanding of science and its role in society would open up specialized career tracks. It is also admirably suited to the very small number of students who intend to pursue a graduate education in the history of science.
This program is administered jointly by the history department and the history of science department, and is more fully described in the section on Joint Major in History and History of Science within the History listing of this catalog.
To be accepted as a major in history of science, the student must register with the department undergraduate advisor.
The major requires a minimum of 30 credits, to include at least 24 credits in history of science and 6 credits in science or mathematics above the elementary level (not to include mathematics courses numbered 223 and below).
One 3-credit course toward the 24-credit minimum may be chosen from approved courses in related disciplines. These courses include Philosophy 519, 520, 521, 523, 558; Medical History 565; Sociology 531, 637. Other substitutions may be allowed at the discretion of the undergraduate advisor. Integrated Liberal Studies 201 or 202 may be used in place of History of Science 201 or 202 to count toward the major requirements; Integrated Liberal Studies 271 may be used as a regular history of science course.
All majors are required to take History of Science 555, the department's capstone seminar, in the junior or senior year.
All students must fulfill the L&S requirement of at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the major completed in residence. History of science courses above the elementary level count toward this requirement.
Students considering pursuing Honors in the Major should consult with the honors advisor as early as possible, preferably by late in the sophomore year. Honors majors are subject to the same requirements as other history of science majors, with the following modifications:
At least 15 of the minimum 24 history of science credits must be drawn from the following list of history of science courses: 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 331, 333, 337, 343, 353, 394, 401, 411, 444, 504, 507, 508, 509, 510, 512, 513, 517, 523, 524, 531, 532, 536, 538, 543, 553, and 575. Substitutions may be accepted at the discretion of the honors advisor.
Honors majors are to take one of the following: History of Science 180, 280, 284 (in conjunction with 212), or one seminar (minimum of 3 credits) offered by the department at the upper-division or graduate level.
History of Science 555 should be taken before embarking on the Senior Honors Thesis; in exceptional cases, it may be taken concurrently with 681.
A two-semester Senior Honors Thesis (681-682) is required.
A grade point average of 3.5 must be maintained in upper-level history of science courses and an overall GPA of at least 3.3 in all courses taken at UW-Madison at the time of graduation.
Students considering graduate study in history of science should acquire a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language as early as possible.
Students should check with the department honors advisor at least once a year to make sure that requirements have not been modified, as well as to seek guidance about planning the Honors in the Major curriculum that best reflects their special interests.
All courses listed in the course descriptions section will be offered regularly unless otherwise noted. Please check with the department office for information on specific courses.
100 Great Scientists. Irr.; 3 cr (Z-E). Introduction to historical approaches to scientific thinking and practices, through a close examination of the lives and works of selected leading scientists. P: Open to Fr.
180 Freshman Honors Seminar: History of Science, Technology and Medicine. I or II; 3 cr (H-E). Introduction to the history of science, technology and medicine through in-depth examination of a specific theme or topic. P: Open to Fr only or with cons inst.
201 The Origins of Scientific Thought. I, II; 3 cr (H-E). Emergence of scientific method and scientific modes of thought out of ancient philosophical and religious traditions; the impact of ancient science on medieval Christendom; the origins and development of the Copernican-Newtonian world view. P: Open to Fr. Not open to stdts who have taken ILS 201 or Hist Sci 323, except by cons inst.
202 The Making of Modern Science. II; 3 cr (H-E). Major trends and developments in the sciences from the 17th century to the early 20th century. Emphasis on those with broad cultural and social implications. P: Not open to stdts who have had Hist of Sci 204. Open to Fr.
203 Science in the Twentieth Century: A Historical Overview. I; 3 cr (Z-E). Major themes in the physical and biological sciences from 1890 to the present, with attention to conceptual development, interaction of science and society, philosophical issues, and personalities in science. P: Open to Fr.
205 The Sciences of Man. Irr.; 3 cr (H-E). Development of humanity's attempt to achieve self-knowledge through the methods of science. An overview of the emergence of the social and behavioral sciences. P: Open to Fr.
206 History of Astronomy and Cosmology. (Crosslisted with Astron) Irr.; 3 cr (H-I). The development of astronomical knowledge and cosmological views from the earliest times to the present, viewed in their social, philosophical, and technological contexts. P: So st.
212 The Physician in History. (Crosslisted with Med Hist) I or II; 3 cr (H-E). The healer's role in medical care and society from antiquity to the twentieth century. Physician, patient and social relationships; changing disease theories and therapeutic procedures; creation of varied institutional frameworks for medicine and public health. P: Open to Fr. For honors credit con reg in Hist Sci/Hist Med 284 or cons inst.
218 History of Twentieth Century American Medicine. (Crosslisted with Med Hist) Irr.; 3 cr (S-E). This undergraduate lecture course introduces students to the development of the modern American medical care system. P: Open to Fr.
222 Technology and Social Change in History. I or II; 3 cr (H-I). Topics in the history of technology of interest to students in engineering and physical sciences. Themes include the social basis of technical change, the impact of technology on everyday life, and ethical issues in technology in the last two centuries. P: Open to Fr.
230 Agriculture and Social Change in Western History. (Crosslisted with Rur Soc) I or II; 3 cr (Z-E). Agricultural practices and social history from prehistoric times to the present. Topics include origins of agriculture, feudalism, agriculture in the Industrial Revolution, farming in America, and the consequences of the Green Revolution. P: Open to Fr.
275 Science, Medicine, and Race: A History. (Crosslisted with Med Hist, Afroamer) Alt yrs.; I; 3 cr (e-Z-E). Surveys the medical and scientific constructions of categories of race, placing the development of racial theories in a broad social and political context. The course will pay particular attention to the importance of racial science in slavery and colonialism. P: Open to Fr.
280 Honors Seminar: Studies in Science, Technology, Medicine. I or II; 3 cr (b-H-I). Intensive exploration of issues in the history of science. Emphasis on developing critical thinking about science through formal and informal writing. P: Communications Requirement Part A must be satisfied. Open to non-honors stdts with cons inst. Open to Fr.
284 Physician in History (Honors). (Crosslisted with Med Hist) I or II; 1 cr (H-E). Honors course for students enrolled concurrently for honors in History of Science 212. Open to non-honors students with consent of instructor. P: Con reg for honors in Hist Sci/ Hist Med 212 or cons inst. Open to Fr.
311 Schools and Learning in the Medieval World. (Crosslisted with History, Medieval, Classics) I or II or SS; 3 cr (H-D). An introduction to the various forms of education in the Middle Ages and their effect in shaping the childhood and adolescent experience of literate medieval men and women. Some attention will also be given to the medieval origins of such modern educational institutions as the public grammar school and the University. P: Jr st or cons inst.
322 Ancient and Medieval Science. (Crosslisted with Medieval) I or II; 3 cr (H-D). Scientific ideas and institutions from the beginnings of Greek philosophy to the Renaissance. P: Jr st or cons inst. Grads must enroll concurrently in Hist Sci 622.
323 The Scientific Revolution: From Copernicus to Newton. (Crosslisted with History) I or II; 3 cr (H-D). An introduction to the formative period of modern science, including major ideas and events in the physical and life sciences from Copernicus to Newton. P: Jr st or cons inst. Grads enroll concurrently in Hist Sci 623.
324 Science in the Enlightenment. (Crosslisted with History) Alt yrs.; 3 cr (H-I). Development and triumph of Newton's gravitational law; the conceptual revolution in chemistry; earth history and the move from religious to natural cosmologies. 4th credit requires extra work. P: Jr st.
325 History of Physics: The Classical Period. I or II; 3 cr (H-I). Major themes in the development of physics in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. P: Jr st.
326 History of Physics: The Modern Period. I or II; 3 cr (H-I). Major themes in the development of physics in the twentieth century. P: Jr st.
331 Science, Medicine and Religion. (Crosslisted with Med Hist, Relig St) Irr.; 3-4 cr (H-D). Science, medicine and religion from antiquity to the present, with emphasis on Western civilization. P: Jr st and cons inst.
333 History of Modern Biology. (Crosslisted with Med Hist) I or II; 3 cr (H-D). Survey of major developments in biology and related sciences ca. 1700-1950. Topics include morphology and embryology; evolutionary theory, ecology, and genetics; physiology and recent experimental biology. P: Jr st or cons inst.
337 History of Technology. I or II; 3 cr (H-A). A survey of Western technology within its social and cultural context during the past 1000 years. Topics include technology in European expansion, the industrial revolution, and the rise of the United States as a technological superpower. P: Jr st or cons inst. Grads must enroll concurrently in Hist Sci 637.
339 Technology and Its Critics Since World War II. I or II; 3 cr (Z-A). Examines expert and popular criticism of technology from World War II to the present. Topics include atomic fallout, consumer society, Ralph Nader's critique of auto safety, environmentalism, the movement against nuclear power, critics in the counterculture, and appropriate technology. P: Jr st or cons inst. Grad stdts must enroll concurrently in Hist Sci 639.
343 The Darwinian Revolution. I or II; 3 cr (H-A). Scientific, social, religious and related dimensions of the evolution hypothesis from predarwinian speculation and Darwin's own work to later support, criticism and continuing investigation. Coverage reaches into the twentieth century. P: Jr st or cons inst.
350 Special Topics in the History of Science. Irr.; 2-3 cr (H-D). P: So honors or Jr st.
353 History of Ecology. (Crosslisted with Envir St) I or II; 3 cr (H-I). The development of the science of ecology and related scientific issues and social attitudes, with a primary emphasis on developments from the late nineteenth century to the present. P: Jr st or cons inst.
394 Science in America. (Crosslisted with History, Med Hist) Irr.; 3 cr (H-D). From the colonial period to the present; emphasis on the development of scientific institutions and the influence of science on American life. P: Jr st or cons inst.
401 History of Pharmacy. (Crosslisted with S&A PHM) II; 2 cr (H-I). Pharmaceutical field, from antiquity to modern medical care; professional; structuring in principal countries of the West. P: Jr st or cons inst.
411 History of American Technology. (Crosslisted with History) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (S-I). Survey of the history of American technology focusing on changing technologies of production and distribution from the colonial period to the near-present. P: So st.
431 Childbirth in the United States. (Crosslisted with Women St, Med Hist) II; 3 cr (S-D). American women's childbirth experiences from the colonial period to the present. Childbirth as a cultural as well as a biological event. Basic physiological information for understanding and evaluating changing approaches to pregnancy and childbirth. P: Women St 103 or 430 or equiv; or cons inst.
444 Health and Social Welfare in Western Society. (Crosslisted with Geog, Med Hist) Irr.; 3 cr (H-I). The rise of public concern for human well-being in the European nations from preliterate society to the twentieth century. Greek individualism and Christian charity, the shift from ecclesiastical to secular responsibility, the sanitary movement and development of a scientific basis for public health, and emergence of contemporary public health issues. P: So st.
473 History of Mathematics. (Crosslisted with Math) I; 3 cr (X-A). An historical survey of the main lines of mathematical development. P: Cons inst.
504 Society and Health Care in American History. (Crosslisted with Med Hist, History) I or II; 3 cr (B-I). Lecture-seminar. Health care in America since the colonial period; emphasis on social developments. P: Jr st & cons inst.
507 Health, Disease and Healing I. (Crosslisted with Med Hist, History) I or II; 3-4 cr (H-I). Medicine in Europe from antiquity to the 18th century, investigating changes in medical ideas, institutions, practices, and organization. P: Jr st.
508 Health, Disease and Healing II. (Crosslisted with Med Hist, History) I or II; 3-4 cr (H-I). Medicine in Europe from the 18th century to mid-20th century, investigating changes in disease and demography, state interest in health care, the medical professions, and both scientific and alternative medical ideas. P: Jr st.
509 The Development of Public Health in America. (Crosslisted with Med Hist) I or II; 3 cr (B-I). Seminar. Health problems in the U.S. from the colonial period to the twentieth century; efforts made toward their solutions. P: Jr st & cons inst.
512 Galileo Galilei: Life, Writings, and Interpretations. Irr.; 3-4 cr (A). Galileo's life and writings in political and cultural context. Special attention to the theory of motion, telescopic discoveries, condemnation by the Inquisition (including primary documents), and to contrasting interpretations of his work, motivations, and contributions. P: So honors or Jr st.
513 Environment and Health in Global Perspective. (Crosslisted with Med Hist, Envir St) II; 3 cr (Z-A). Explores the historical relationships between environmental change and human health from the 17th through the 20th century. Topics include colonialism and disease, medical geography, urban pollution and reform, workplace hazards, environmental risk, and the anti-toxics and environmental justice movements. P: Jr st.
514 History of Geologic Thought. (Crosslisted with Geology) Alt yrs.; 3 cr (H-I). Major concepts from earliest to modern times. P: Sr st, Geol 100 or 101 & 204 or cons inst.
517 Monsters and Science: A History of Vertebrate Paleontology. (Crosslisted with Geology) I or II; 3 cr (H-I). This course will explore the history of vertebrate paleontology, concentrating on the 19th through 21st centuries. The shifting and sometimes uncomfortable relations between paleontology and other sciences, the arts and the public will be a major theme of the course. P: Jr st.
523 Race, American Medicine and Public Health. (Crosslisted with Med Hist, Afroamer) Irr.; 3 cr (e-S-D). The course will provide historical perspectives on current dilemmas facing black patients and health care professionals. P: Jr or Sr st.
524 The Medical History of Sex and Sexuality. (Crosslisted with Med Hist, Women St) Alt yrs.; II; 3 cr (H-I). Examines the changing place of medicine and scientific authority in public and private sexual lives. Highlights the role of medicine in defining appropriate sexual behavior, understanding the cause of sexual deviance, and treating sexual problems and diseases. P: Prev history (incl med hist & hist sci) crse preferred.
531 Women and Health in American History. (Crosslisted with Med Hist, Women St) I or II; 3 cr (B-I). Women as patients and as health professionals in America from the colonial period to the present. P: Jr st & cons inst.
532 The History of the (American) Body. (Crosslisted with Women St, Med Hist) Alt yrs.; I; 3 cr (H-A). This course demonstrates that human bodies have social and cultural histories. It will highlight the social values placed on different bodies, the changing social expectations bodies create, and the role of science and medicine in creating the cultural meanings of bodies. P: Women St 103 or other women's studies crse required; prev hist (incl med hist & hist sci) crse preferred.
534 History and Ideology of Environmentalism. (Crosslisted with Geog, Envir St, History) Irr.; 3 cr (S-A). Historical survey of views of the natural world. Particular focus on the relationship of nature to society and culture, with an attempt to identify the significance and function of environmental ideas within broader intellectual and cultural movements and political ideologies. P: Jr st.
536 The History of the Social Sciences. (Crosslisted with History) Irr.; 3 cr (H-A). Development of the social and behavioral sciences with emphasis on their interrelationships and larger intellectual background. P: Jr st or cons inst. Not open to stdts who have had or are taking Hist of Science 205.
538 Science in the Twentieth Century: Historical Themes and Issues. Irr.; 3 cr (H-I). Major themes in the physical and biological sciences from 1890 to the present, with attention to conceptual development, interaction of science and society, philosophical issues, and personalities in science. P: Hist of sci grad or undergrad majors only. Jr st or cons inst. Not open to stdts who have had Hist Sci 203.
543 Doctors and Delusions: Madness and Medicine in the Modern Era. (Crosslisted with Med Hist, History) I; 3 cr (Z-I). Medical approaches to mental illness from 1750 to the present. Emphasis on how tension between biomedical and socio-environmental theories about psychopathology have marked modern psychiatry. Focus on Europe and the United States with global and comparative dimensions. P: Jr st or cons inst.
553 International Health and Global Society. (Crosslisted with Med Hist, Pop Hlth) I; 3 cr (Z-I). Major problems in international health from 1750 to the present. Focus on disease epidemiology and ecology; political economy of health; migration; quarantine; race, ethnicity, and health care; international health research; cross-cultural healing; mental and maternal health; growth of international health organizations. P: Jr or Sr st, or cons inst.
555 Undergraduate Seminar in History of Science. II; 3 cr (A). Introduction to research in history of science. P: Hist of sci majors only-initial preference to Srs.
561 Greek and Roman Medicine and Pharmacy. (Crosslisted with S&A PHM, Classics, History, Med Hist) I; 3 cr (H-D). Greek and Roman medicine and drug lore from the Pre-Socratics to Oribasius (c. 600 B.C.- A.D. 350), including the backgrounds of ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian medicine. P: Jr or Sr st, or cons inst.
562 Byzantine Medicine and Pharmacy. (Crosslisted with S&A PHM, History, Med Hist, Medieval) II; 3 cr (H-D). Byzantine and Islamic medicine and drug lore from Oribasius to the beginnings of the Italian Renaissance (c. 350- c. 1400 A.D.). P: Jr or Sr st or cons inst.
575 Clinical Medicine Since 1750. (Crosslisted with Med Hist) Irr.; 3 cr (B-D). Lecture-Seminar. Development of clinical medicine in Europe and America from the eighteenth to the twentieth century. P: Jr st & cons inst. Previous hist of medicine crse desirable.
622 Studies in Ancient and Medieval Science. I or II; 1 cr (A). Advanced readings in primary and secondary literature of the history of ancient and medieval science, with emphasis on historiographic issues. P: Grad st; con reg in Hist Sci 322 or cons inst.
623 Studies in Early Modern Science. I or II; 1 cr (A). Advanced readings in primary and secondary literature of the history of the 16th-17th century European science, with emphasis on current historiographic issues. P: Grad st; con reg in Hist Sci 323 or cons inst.
637 Studies in History of Technology. I or II; 1 cr (A). Advanced readings in primary and secondary literature of the history of technology, with emphasis on historiographic issues. P: Grad st; con reg in Hist Sci 337 or cons inst.
639 Studies in Technology & Its Critics Since World War II. I or II; 1 cr. Graduate readings and discussion on expert and popular criticism of technology from World War II to the present. P: Grad st; con reg in Hist Sci 339.
668 Topics in History of Medicine. (Crosslisted with Med Hist) I or II or SS; 3 cr (A). Upper-level special topics course in the history of medicine. P: Jr st.
681 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II, SS; 3 cr (A). Honors thesis for history of science majors. P: Open to honors majors in hist sci, cons inst required.
682 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II, SS; 3 cr (A). Honors thesis for history of science majors. Continuation of 681. P: Open to honors majors in hist sci, cons inst required.
691 Senior Thesis. I, II, SS; 3 cr (A). Senior thesis for history of science majors. Research and writing on an original topic. P: Open to hist sci majors, cons inst required.
692 Senior Thesis. I, II, SS; 3 cr (A). Senior thesis for history of science majors. Continuation of 691. P: Open to hist sci majors, cons inst required.
698 Directed Study. I or II or SS; 1-3 cr (A). Cr/N. P: Jr st. Graded on a Cr/N basis; requires cons inst.
699 Directed Study. I or II or SS; 1-3 cr (A). P: Jr st. Graded on a lettered basis; requires cons inst.