Medieval Technology & Scientific Thought

Interdisciplinary studies are not just a creation of the present. As today, the study of the liberal arts and sciences in the medieval universities of Western Europe — and the practical implementation of those concepts through technology — encouraged students to think logically, analytically, and creatively. In the best “back to basics” fashion, then, this history seminar will offer students the chance to immerse themselves in the true foundations of the modern interdisciplinary curriculum: the medieval liberal arts (grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy), as well as science and technology practiced outside of the medieval university. Students will also be encouraged to place medieval military, domestic, artisanal, and engineering technology and scientific thought in wider social context within Western Europe, from c.500 – c. 1500, with particular regard to cross-cultural influences and material culture. By reading and working through problems in key texts of the classical inheritance, medieval expansions, and the innovative perspectives brought by contact with Jewish and Muslim thinkers, students will learn to think critically and to express themselves creatively. Assignments will include a weekly blog post; two short essays, one descriptive and one analytical; a final primary source research paper and a final, practical hands-on project. In addition to this, students will have the chance to collaborate across disciplines and use their new (medieval) skills in a hands-on, experiential way throughout the semester, by attempting to reproduce elements of medieval technology within the university’s FabLab. (3 credit hours. No prerequisites.)

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to, in ascending order of importance:

1. Students will acquire a basic knowledge of the major technological innovations and strands of scientific thought in Western Europe from c. 500 to c. 1500. They will be able to synthesize this information about the concepts, people, and works involved, with the goal of explaining the major themes that have and currently comprise the study of the history of technology and scientific thought.
2. Students will improve their ability to read and analyze primary texts within their historical contexts and to understand how context and viewpoint affect our interpretation of them. Students will be asked to view scientific and philosophical texts and material objects from a variety of perspectives, and to intelligently discuss these readings in their proper contexts.
3. The primary goal of this course is that students will develop their skills in thinking critically and historically, and will exercise these skills in written assignments, class discussions, and hands-on projects. The classroom discussions and written assignments will introduce students to the basic methods involved in historical investigation and will require that they read and analyze primary texts, and effectively convey these analyses both verbally and in writing. The hands-on projects will encourage students to develop a practical understanding of the theories and concepts covered in class, and students’ presentations of their projects will encourage the skills required effectively to communicate that practical understanding.