Terms: Autumn and Spring
Duration: 20 hours
Course Description
The aim of this module is to provide an overview of science and technology in France. This module will introduce you to French scientific discoveries that have had a major impact in the fields of chemistry, physics and biology alongside the main technical and industrial developments that have occurred in France. The development of technical education and of the main research institutions in France will also be discussed.
History of Science (France)
On completion of this module, you will be better prepared able to:
Identify the most important trends in the fields of science and technology of France and relate these to current research and academic landscapes. You will be able to conduct independent research on matters relating to science and technology in the relevant countries using resources in the target language, and to present, discuss and defend your research findings. In addition, you will be able to construct a sophisticated argument and to participate in debates demonstrating control of relevant subject-specific linguistic features at the appropriate level (Horizons level 4 or 5) and following relevant academic conventions.
For the language and Year Abroad module information, please refer to the relevant webpages.
The History of Science module is taught through a weekly seminar session where you will have the chance to review, analyse and discuss key events and developments, aided with set texts or class notes. You will need to do some preparation for sessions (e.g. at-home reading) so that, during seminars, you can respond to discussions, interact with your teacher and peers, present your own perspective, and ask questions.
Seminars will give you an opportunity to start defining your research topic in preparation for the summative assessment.
- 1-hour exam on the virtual learning environment at the end of term 1 consisting of short answers on 2 out of 3 topics (min. 150 words each)
- Independent research project (4000 words) to be handed in at the start of term 3
- Presentation and discussion of this research project during a 30-minute practical in term 3
- What is science?
- Birth of the clinic: the 16th - 19th Centuries
- Introduction to scientific controversies
- History of the pharmacy in France
- From natural history to the age of analysis: the natural sciences
- Claude Bernard, one of the founders of Biochemistry
- Pasteur and the Pasteurian revolution
- The discovery of radium and radioactivity
- Marie Curie and the Curie Institute
- The Transformation of biological and medical activities in the 20th Century
- New Players in Biomedicine in the 21st Century