Information Package / Course Catalogue
History of Science
Course Code: İL351
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 4
Objectives of the Course

Learning to classify sciences and the essence of science; To trace the development of science from Antiquity to the present day.

Course Content

Getting to know the positivist understanding of science, introduction to the history of science. Science in Egypt and Mesopotamia, Science in Ancient Greece. Philosophy, medicine and mathematics in the Hellenic period, Science in the Hellenistic period and Rome, Science in the Middle Ages/Science in Christian Europe, Science in the Islamic World: The Development of Astronomy, Physics, Medicine and Mathematics.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.It distinguishes between natural sciences and social sciences, sciences classes.
2.learns the basic and defining features of science.
3.Recognizes alternative understandings of science.
4.Learns the development of science in the early and Middle Ages
5.Learns the establishment and development of modern science.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science, Pegem Publications, Ankara, 2008.
2.Cemal YILDIRIM, History of Science, Remzi Kitabevi, 5th Edition, 1997.
3.C. A. Ronan, History of Science (trans. E. İhsanoğlu et al.), Tübitak Publications, 2009.
4.Richard S. Westfall, The Formation of Modern Science (trans. İsmail Hakkı DURU), TÜBİTAK Publications, 1997.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
The Relationship between Science and Theology, Explaining the nature/essence of science. Demonstrating the differences between science and other disciplines developed by humans in their efforts to explain/make sense of the external world.
Week 1 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Week 2 - Theoretical
Separating and classifying sciences as natural sciences, human sciences and social sciences.
Week 2 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Week 3 - Theoretical
Recognizing the positivist understanding of science.
Week 3 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Week 4 - Theoretical
Learning postpositivist conceptions of science.
Week 4 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Week 5 - Theoretical
Introduction to the history of science. Science in Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Week 5 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Week 6 - Theoretical
Science in Ancient Greece. Philosophy, medicine and mathematics in the Hellenic period.
Week 6 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Week 7 - Theoretical
Science in the Hellenistic period and Rome.
Week 7 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Week 8 - Theoretical
Science in the Middle Ages/Science in Christian Europe.
Week 8 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Week 9 - Theoretical
Science in the Islamic World: The Development of Astronomy, Physics, Medicine and Mathematics.
Week 9 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Week 10 - Theoretical
The Birth of Modern Science. First and Second Phases of the Scientific Revolution.
Week 10 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Week 11 - Theoretical
Science in the Seventeenth Century: Astronomy, Physics and Mathematics.
Week 11 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Week 12 - Theoretical
The Eighteenth Century and the Birth of the Social Sciences.
Week 12 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Week 13 - Theoretical
Science in the nineteenth century: Modern Science and Technology.
Week 13 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Week 14 - Theoretical
End of Term General Evaluation
Week 14 - Preparation Work
Text Analysis (Hüseyin Gazi Topdemir, History of Science), Library Research
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Verbal Examination1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory143384
Assignment1516
Midterm Examination1224
Final Examination1224
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)98
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
PÇ-16
PÇ-17
PÇ-18
PÇ-19
PÇ-20
OÇ-1
4
2
2
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
OÇ-2
4
2
2
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
OÇ-3
4
2
2
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
OÇ-4
4
2
2
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
OÇ-5
4
2
2
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026