The Occult in Western Civilization

HPSC-X207
Tuesday/Thursday 9:35AM-10:50AM Tuesday/Thursday 12:45PM-2:00PM

The occult is a theme that is deeply ingrained in the history of Western civilization. From antiquity to the present, segments of our society have laid claim to an esoteric wisdom that could only be revealed to those who were worthy of its exercise. This course will deal with the primary members of the “occult sciences,” alchemy, magic, and astrology, from their roots in antiquity up to the present. We will examine the metamorphosis of the occult sciences over time in order to examine their relationships to one another and to other cultural endeavors.

Revolutions in Science: Plato to NATO

HPSC-X 102 — S&H
Monday/Wednesday 11:35AM-12:25PM

An introduction to the formative steps in the scientific tradition as well as philosophical investigations of the nature of science.

Science and Culture

HPSC-X 104 — A&H
Tuesday/Thursday 9:35AM-10:50AM

An introduction to the study of science as a human activity that both contributes to cultural change and responds to it. A thematic, rather than a chronological survey, the course presents and compares recent and historical issues and events, and brings out some of the complex relations between science (also medicine and technology) and the arts, literature, commerce, religion, philosophy, sports, food, and changing conceptions of gender, race, health, the human body, the human mind, and the order of nature.

Issues in Biological and Medical Ethics

HPSC-X 111 — A&H
Monday/Wednesday 5:30PM-6:45PM

The course will discuss ethical and philosophical issues that arise in biomedicine especially now with the rise of AI technologies. After introducing AI to the students, we will learn about its integration in the medical profession, and about the challenges and benefits it may give rise to. 

Critical Medical Humanities

HPSC-X 125 — S&H
Thursday 9:35AM-12:05PM

Critical medical humanities offer an interdisciplinary and interprofessional approach to research the psychological and social effects of illness and treatments. The recent prominence of medical humanities in the academia aims at cultivating “medical citizens” in shaping the future medical culture as a democracy, where deep understanding of the less technical or measurable facets of medicine support fairness, individual and social justice, and a clinical rather than a business or sheer scientific framework.

Scientific Reasoning

HPSC-X 200 — N&M
Monday/Wednesday 5:30PM-6:45PM Monday/Wednesday 12:45PM-2:00PM (Instructor: Claire Iannetta)

Boom! Who's Afraid of Nuclear Power and Radiation

HPSC-X 206 — S&H
Monday/Wednesday 11:10AM-12:25PM