Physics 211 : Historical Research Themes in Science

S. Hansell / Spring 08

           For the remainder of the term, you will periodically work on a research paper.  You have already thought about some of the possible themes you can choose from in an opinion you wrote about religion and science.  You may choose to research a related theme, or choose on of the others from the list of themes below.  These topics are all present in the movie, Contact, that you will watch.  The first part of that research will be learning to use the library.  The first day spent in the library will be to allow you to learn about some of the library’s resources.  We will be focus on the historical aspect of the theme.  Later you will be asked to look into more modern thoughts about these same themes.  You may choose one that is related to your opinion or completely separate from it.  Ultimately you will need to stick with one theme, but for now you are still free to change topics if you desire.  For today, you can focus on the following themes:

• The historical advancement of science by religious thought.
  • You can focus on Judeo-Christian beliefs or on other religious thought.
  • You need to find ways that religion has helped advance scientific work.
  • You need both generalities and three specific examples from pre-18^th century (prior to the industrial revolution)
• The historical suppression of new ideas by religions.
  • As with the previous topic, don’t limit yourself to Judeo-Christian beliefs
  • You need at least 3 examples of ways this was done.
  • Historical means pre-18^th century.
• The historical role of the military in the suppression scientific work.
  • You need to find three specific historical examples going back to the mid 20^th century (as late as WWII) of times that some military wouldn’t give scientists the freedom to do research.
• The historical role that governments have played in the advancement or suppression of science.
  • Specifically, how has science been supported or hindered by governments.
  • You need three examples: one example needs to be prior to the renaissance, one prior to the industrial revolution, and one can be as late as the early 20^th century.
• The historical role that women have played in science.
  • This is not a list or example of important women
  • You need to find references that explain how women were treated scientifically prior to the renaissance, prior to the industrial revolution, and prior to WWII. 
  • You can find references that describe how women were treated in terms of education if you can not find specifics to science for the early references.
• The historical effect that advanced science has had when introduced to less advanced civilizations.
  • You need to find three examples of technology being introduced to civilizations that have not developed them. 
  • These can be positive or negative effects
  • These can be specific technologies or the introduction of scientific ideas

            For this first research assignment, you will be asked to gather your research references and create a page of notes.  The librarians will be willing to help you find good references.  Wikipedia, Google, and other such sources are not appropriate for this particular research, though there is a time and place for that type of research.  For this assignment, you are limited to those resources available and discussed in the library.  Later assignments will allow for wider reference searches.

            We will have one full class period to work on finding the texts you need.  When you find a text that you think you want, either photocopy it, print it, or book-mark it.

            You will turn in your notes.  They must be typed, though they need not be full sentences.  You should fill one page (at least 30 different bullet points) from as many different sources as you need.  You may cut-and-paste from any electronic sources that you use at the library.  You must include a bibliographic reference with your notes for each source you use.

            You will ultimately be using these notes in conjunction with other things we will do, so you should save them in a safe place (like on the virtual desktop). 

            Proper bibliographic references must be made, though there are several accepted ways these can be done.  You should be consistent with your references.  See your Little-Brown Handbook, or ask a librarian if you have questions, though any reference style is acceptable.