 | |
| SPAT0018-1 | Evolution of ideas in Astronomy
 |
|
| Duration : | 15h Th |
|
| Credits/ECTS : |
|
|
| Holder(s) : | Yaël Nazé |
|
| Language : | French language |
|
| Course contents : | Today's astronomy is not any more that of our ancestors. However, our current knowledge was not built in one day: the evolution of the astronomical theories was often slow and vigourously debated. The course is articulated mainly around the development of some basic concepts, like the light and the distance. It does not elude the ideas still discussed nowadays, like the extraterrestrial life or the shape of our Universe. One will also consider, in addition to our greco-Roman heritage, the astronomical developments having taken place in other parts of the world. |
|
| Course objective : | The objective of this course is to present the evolution of the ideas in astronomy. It makes it possible to acquire the bases of the scientific culture, and especially to better understand the current science. This course also try to develop the critical mind of the students.
|
|
| Prerequisites : | Elementary notions in math and physics. |
|
| Organization : | 7 lessons of about 2h |
|
| Written notes : | A copy of the slide show or dedicated notes will be given to students. |
|
| Assessment : | The grade of the course is attributed in two steps. The first one is linked to a personal written contribution on one topic in history of astronomy, chosen by the student in agreement with the professor. The second part is an oral exam, to be passed at a date which suits both the students and the professor (at least 10 days after that the written work was given to the prof.). It will consist of (1) the presentation of the personal work (15min maximum, without notes) and (2) a series of questions on the course, mostly linked to the subject of the personal work. |
|
| Contacts : | Yaël Nazé, 04 366 97 20, office #2/12 of Bat B5C (Astrophysics & Geophysics), naze@astro.ulg.ac.be |
|
| Remarks : | To avoid problems and misunderstandings, and in order for the preparatory work to be the most efficient, some guidelines are provided. First, the student should discuss the possibles subjects, on the basis of the interests of the student. Then, a quick search should be done, in order to find the first references and decide of the framework of the contribution. Finally, a draft of table of content should be sent to the professor, together with the main bibliographical reference (a book or an article published in a refereed journal).
Advice : go the the science library (B6b, floor -1) to look at the tables of content of the refereed journal "Journal for the History of Astronomy" and its supplement "Archeoastronomy"; in the same library, floor +1 (entrance), look at the books linked to the history of sciences - note that a few books are available in the professor's office.
The final written work, in printed version not in electronic form, should be given at a date chosen by the students and the professor. It should be composed of 10 to 30 pages (format A4, 20p on average), of which one for the table of content and one for the bibliography. This bibliography can never be composed only of internet « references » : it must contain at leats one article published in a refereed journal or a book. |
|
|
| |
