Enjoy!!
- A College Version of "The Night before Christmas"
- The Final Exam from Hell
- Death by Caffeine & Death by Penguin Mints
Go easy on the coffee and No-Doz! :-)
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
UPDATED: Final Exam Humor!
I'm sure that final exams don't seem so funny at the moment, but thought this might cheer ya'll up anyway... :-)
Enjoy!!
Enjoy!!
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
FYI: Links for fun!
- Rum and Monkey: The Merovingian Name Generator
- Make Your Own Bayeux Tapestry Kit!
- Music: Hildegard von Bingen's "O frondens virga"
Monday, December 04, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
UPDATED - FYI: Islam
UPDATED: The Adhan: Islam's Call to Prayer, Mecca, Medina -- Beliefnet.com
- IslamiCity.com - The Five Pillars of Islam
- Video: Conditions for the Hajj
- Video: Whirling Dervishes
FYI: The "Ara Pacis Augustae", plus the Imperial Image in Late Antiquity
Ara Pacis: "Indeed, the altar was real and was used as a site for sacrificing animals, large and small alike. There were drainholes for the sacrificial blood to flow out from the structure." (See at right, from ARA PACIS TOUR)- Late Antiquity: Imperial Image
FYI: Early Christianity & Saint Peter's Basilica
- The Spread of Christianity
- "Old" Saint Peter's: On the left of the road was a circus begun by Caligula, and finished by Nero; on the right a line of tombs built against the clay cliffs of the Vatican. The circus was the scene of the first sufferings of the Christians, described by Tacitus in the well-known passage of the "Annals," xv.45. Some of the Christians were covered with the skins of wild beasts so that savage dogs might tear them to pieces; others were besmeared with tar and tallow, and burnt at the stake; others were crucified (crucibus adfixi), while Nero in the attire of a vulgar aurigaº ran his races around the goals. This took place in A.D. 65. Two years later the leader of the Christians shared the same fate in the same place. He was affixed to a cross like the others, and we know exactly where. A tradition current in Rome from time immemorial says that S. Peter was executed inter duas metas (between the two metae), that is, in the spina or middle line of Nero's circus, at an equal distance from the two end goals; in other words, he was executed at the foot of the obelisk which now towers in front of his great church. For many centuries after the peace of Constantine, the exact spot of S. Peter's execution was marked by a chapel called the chapel of the "Crucifixion."
- 360 Degree Tour of St. Peter's Square
- Virtual Reality Tour of Ravenna! (Gorgeous early Christian art & architecture!!)
- Pictures of Jesus - ReligionFacts
- Christ as Roman Soldier Mosaic
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
FYI: Writing...
BTW, the papers do not have to be limited strictly to the stipulated page limit. If they go a bit over, that's okay!
Also, need some writing help? You can check out the SJC Writing Center!
Also, need some writing help? You can check out the SJC Writing Center!
Monday, November 06, 2006
UPDATED: REQUIRED - Supplemental Assignment for Thurs., Nov. 9
As part of your assignment for Thurs., Nov. 9, please read the text of the complete "Deeds of the Divine Augustus" (Res Gestae Divi Augusti) in addition to the pages already assigned in the syllabus! Be sure then to take the complete text into consideration when writing your essay due that day!!
UPDATE: Also, there will be no reading quiz on Adams that day, but do integrate the Adams' material into your essay writing!!
UPDATE: Also, there will be no reading quiz on Adams that day, but do integrate the Adams' material into your essay writing!!
Monday, October 30, 2006
EXTRA-CREDIT: "The Perfect Body" (UPDATED!)
For a bit of extra-credit, either post a comment that compares and contrasts the argument regarding the Greek ideal body presented here and that in the "How Art Made the World" video. Which do you find more convincing, and why??
Or, alternatively, you can post a comment after your visit to the MFA which takes into consideration the art objects there in your evaluation of Nigel Spivey's "More Human than Human" argument that some non-realistic depictions of the human body are essentially the products of hardwired neurobiology, while others are not but are rather the products of cultural values which overrule the biological tendency. You already know that I personally think he lays his argument on a bit stronger than it warrants, but that's just me, and you certainly don't have to buy what I say! :-) What do you think, and why??
Or, alternatively, you can post a comment after your visit to the MFA which takes into consideration the art objects there in your evaluation of Nigel Spivey's "More Human than Human" argument that some non-realistic depictions of the human body are essentially the products of hardwired neurobiology, while others are not but are rather the products of cultural values which overrule the biological tendency. You already know that I personally think he lays his argument on a bit stronger than it warrants, but that's just me, and you certainly don't have to buy what I say! :-) What do you think, and why??
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
FYI: Ancient Greece through Fun & Games!
"Presented with a physical relief map of Greece and its many islands,visitors to the homepage of this site will then be treated to a range of material objects, ranging from masks, urns, and stone tablets. All of these items are part of the British Museum’s vast holdings of materials from ancient Greece, and brought together, they constitute the online website titled 'Ancient Greece'. Previous online collections have presented material from other civilizations, and this assemblage is divided into traditionalsections that include geography, time, war, and Athens. While many of the sections follow traditional online collection conventions, there are a number of splendid Flash-enabled features that present a day in the life of the city of Athens, and of course, Plato’s immortal cave."
(from The Internet Scout Report, Oct. 13 2006)
Some highlights:
FYI: "Archaeological treasures found on Google Earth"
"Archaeological treasures found on Google Earth.: 'In 25 years on the ground, I've found a handful of archaeological sites. I found more in the first five, six, seven hours [on Google Earth] than I've found in years of traditional field surveys and aerial archaeology...'" (from Metafilter)
For Fun: Gladiator Game! :-)
"Swords and Sandals is a mini-epic gladiator game. Create your hero and battle your way to fame and fortune upon the sands of the arena. The basic pattern of the game is to build up your character, buy weapons and armour, and defeat gladiators to win experience and gold... and then do it all again.Your ultimate aim is to defeat all seven arena champions and reign as champion yourself. If you find yourself struggling, try a different strategy."
(from The Presurfer)
Monday, October 23, 2006
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Regarding "Troy"
In addition to the things you guys have already noted, my favorite anachronism - beyond all the people killed who are actually supposed to survive the Trojan War according to the Iliad - are the LLAMAS that the Trojans rush to bring into the city as the Greeks are invading! LOL!!!
Monday, October 16, 2006
REQUIRED: For Thursday, Oct. 19
Reading Assignment: Adams, pp. 132-141.
“Alex the Great & the first ‘Globalization’?”
(No multiple choice reading quiz... This material will just be included on midterm!)
“Alex the Great & the first ‘Globalization’?”
(No multiple choice reading quiz... This material will just be included on midterm!)
Ideal & Real Paper
Hey, ya'll! Heard that some of you are having some trouble with tomorrow's essay. Firstly, don't worry about art from the Adams book (at least for now!) Secondly, the issue is pretty much this: "What are Athenians' ideals for the individual, the household and the government, and are they truly reflected in the reality of Athenian life? Why or why not??"
Hope that helps!
Dr. Laughran
Hope that helps!
Dr. Laughran
Friday, October 13, 2006
Upcoming Extra-Credit TV Viewing Possibilities...
The History Channel will be showing the following documentaries that are related to what we're studying this semester... Post an analytical comment here regarding the program to receive extra-credit just for watching attentively TV! :-)
Monday, October 16
9-10pm -- "Engineering an Empire - Greece"
"Western Civilization has been influenced by many cultures, but it was born in Ancient Greece. The Ancient Greeks laid a foundation that has supported nearly 3000 years of European history. Philosophers like Aristotle and Socrates, Olympian gods, the beginnings of democracy and great conquering armies can be attributed to the Ancient Greeks. This strong and charismatic people strategically harnessed the materials and people around them to create the mostadvanced technological feats the world had ever seen. From The Tunnel of Samos: a mile-long aqueduct dug through a large mountain of solid limestone, to Agamemnon's Tomb, to the Parthenon, we will examine the architecture and infrastructure engineered by the Greek Empire. Peter Weller hosts."
Monday, October 23
9-10pm -- "Engineering an Empire - Greece: Age ofAlexander."
"438 BC. The Parthenon is complete. This masterpiece is the crowning achievement for the Greek people. Without Alexander the Great, it is possible Greece's Golden Era would have been just a footnote in history. Tens of thousands would die during Alexander's relentless attacks on Persia and Egypt, yet, his armies carried Greek life, culture and values far abroad and this empire became known as the "Hellenistic" world. Greece's amazing engineering achievements and ideas are still with us today."
10-11pm -- "Lost Worlds - The Real Dracula."
"In a country torn by bloody civil war, a young man seizes power. In his native tongue, he is called Dracula. This is not the vampire, Count Dracula, but a real historical figure: a Romanian prince. Dracula was a warlord who became known all across Europe for both his breathtaking courage and his terrifying cruelty. But he also left an enduring legacy. Not just in blood, but also in brick, mortar, and stone. He constructed palaces. He founded the city that was to become his country's capital. He also built one of Eastern Europe's most breathtaking mountaintop castles. Now, with state-of-the-art computer animation, we'll bring Dracula's lost world back to life: his birthplace in the fortified town of Sighisoara; the gothic splendor of Transylvania's Bran Castle; the sumptuous palace of Targoviste; and the real castle Dracula, Poenari."
Monday, October 30
7-8pm -- "Modern Marvels - Mummy Tech."
"After thousands of years, Egyptian mummies are speaking from the grave. With the use of state-of-the-art computer tomography scanning, known as CT-scanning, we explore inside a 2,000-year-old mummified body of an Egyptian child. With today's technology, mummies are studied without being unwrapped. Researchers travel around inside the mummy's head and body with 3-D imagery. We meet Dr.Robert Brier, a renowned Egyptologist. Dr. Brier reveals secrets of Mummification--it took up to 70 days to preserve the dead. Aided by new technology, we investigate the death of one of the most famousmummies, King Tut. Was he murdered or did he die from an illness? We also uncover the case of the Mummy who lay in obscurity for over a hundred years, until modern science unlocked the secrets of his identity as an Egyptian pharaoh. And we join a team of conservationists as they build a nitrogen-filled glass display case to provide a safe sanctuary to prevent mummies from decay."
9-10pm -- "Engineering an Empire - The Aztecs."
"In less than 200 years the Aztec's transformed themselves from a band of wandering nomads to the greatest civilization the New World had ever known. What records remain of this amazing feat indicate they did it through brilliant military campaigns and by ingeniously applying technology to master the harsh environment they faced. They built their capital city where no city should have been possible: in the middle of a lake. The Aztec also practiced human sacrifice on an unprecedented scale and made many enemies. By the time the Spaniards landed they had no trouble recruiting tribal allies to destroy the Aztecs. Watch with host Peter Weller as we examine the architecture and infrastructure behind the New World's greatest, and last, indigenous society."
10-11pm -- "Lost Worlds - Ramses' Egyptian Empire"
"1300 BC. The mighty Egyptian civilization is in its golden age. Its ruler is Ramses II, a man who intends to be the greatest of the Pharaohs. He will make his mark by building: vast statues; towering obelisks; temples carved from the living rock. Ramses is a giant of a man, dominating his kingdom for 67 years, pushing it on to ever greater glory. The ruins of what he built still stand, and with the aid of new research and cutting edge graphics technology, the true scale of his ambition can now be fully revealed. We reconstruct the grand hypostyle hall at Karnak; explore the technical innovation and engineering skill that produced the temple at Abu Simbel; we rebuild the Ramesseum as he would have seen it, and uncover how the extraordinary tomb that Ramses built for himself would have looked when his body was finally laid there."
Tuesday, October 31
7-8pm -- "The Haunted History of Halloween"
"On October 31, when pint-sized ghouls and goblins trick or treat, they're upholding an ancient northern European ritual dating back thousands of years. From the Celtic festival of Samhain to the mummingtradition and the Christian feast day All Hallows' Eve, we find out why this night is the scariest of the year!"
10-11pm -- "Man Moment Machine - Alexander the Great and the Devastating Catapult"
"Only Alexander the Great would have the audacity to attempt such a daring siege--the fortified island city of Tyre seems invincible, but his Macedonian troops are inspired and determined, and the young Alexander has a secret weapon--a machine created for the destruction of cities: the catapult. If Tyre falls, it will be a pivotal victory in Alexander's quest for a new empire--a key stop on a march that will cover more than 10,000 miles and span three continents."
Monday, October 16
9-10pm -- "Engineering an Empire - Greece"
"Western Civilization has been influenced by many cultures, but it was born in Ancient Greece. The Ancient Greeks laid a foundation that has supported nearly 3000 years of European history. Philosophers like Aristotle and Socrates, Olympian gods, the beginnings of democracy and great conquering armies can be attributed to the Ancient Greeks. This strong and charismatic people strategically harnessed the materials and people around them to create the mostadvanced technological feats the world had ever seen. From The Tunnel of Samos: a mile-long aqueduct dug through a large mountain of solid limestone, to Agamemnon's Tomb, to the Parthenon, we will examine the architecture and infrastructure engineered by the Greek Empire. Peter Weller hosts."
Monday, October 23
9-10pm -- "Engineering an Empire - Greece: Age ofAlexander."
"438 BC. The Parthenon is complete. This masterpiece is the crowning achievement for the Greek people. Without Alexander the Great, it is possible Greece's Golden Era would have been just a footnote in history. Tens of thousands would die during Alexander's relentless attacks on Persia and Egypt, yet, his armies carried Greek life, culture and values far abroad and this empire became known as the "Hellenistic" world. Greece's amazing engineering achievements and ideas are still with us today."
10-11pm -- "Lost Worlds - The Real Dracula."
"In a country torn by bloody civil war, a young man seizes power. In his native tongue, he is called Dracula. This is not the vampire, Count Dracula, but a real historical figure: a Romanian prince. Dracula was a warlord who became known all across Europe for both his breathtaking courage and his terrifying cruelty. But he also left an enduring legacy. Not just in blood, but also in brick, mortar, and stone. He constructed palaces. He founded the city that was to become his country's capital. He also built one of Eastern Europe's most breathtaking mountaintop castles. Now, with state-of-the-art computer animation, we'll bring Dracula's lost world back to life: his birthplace in the fortified town of Sighisoara; the gothic splendor of Transylvania's Bran Castle; the sumptuous palace of Targoviste; and the real castle Dracula, Poenari."
Monday, October 30
7-8pm -- "Modern Marvels - Mummy Tech."
"After thousands of years, Egyptian mummies are speaking from the grave. With the use of state-of-the-art computer tomography scanning, known as CT-scanning, we explore inside a 2,000-year-old mummified body of an Egyptian child. With today's technology, mummies are studied without being unwrapped. Researchers travel around inside the mummy's head and body with 3-D imagery. We meet Dr.Robert Brier, a renowned Egyptologist. Dr. Brier reveals secrets of Mummification--it took up to 70 days to preserve the dead. Aided by new technology, we investigate the death of one of the most famousmummies, King Tut. Was he murdered or did he die from an illness? We also uncover the case of the Mummy who lay in obscurity for over a hundred years, until modern science unlocked the secrets of his identity as an Egyptian pharaoh. And we join a team of conservationists as they build a nitrogen-filled glass display case to provide a safe sanctuary to prevent mummies from decay."
9-10pm -- "Engineering an Empire - The Aztecs."
"In less than 200 years the Aztec's transformed themselves from a band of wandering nomads to the greatest civilization the New World had ever known. What records remain of this amazing feat indicate they did it through brilliant military campaigns and by ingeniously applying technology to master the harsh environment they faced. They built their capital city where no city should have been possible: in the middle of a lake. The Aztec also practiced human sacrifice on an unprecedented scale and made many enemies. By the time the Spaniards landed they had no trouble recruiting tribal allies to destroy the Aztecs. Watch with host Peter Weller as we examine the architecture and infrastructure behind the New World's greatest, and last, indigenous society."
10-11pm -- "Lost Worlds - Ramses' Egyptian Empire"
"1300 BC. The mighty Egyptian civilization is in its golden age. Its ruler is Ramses II, a man who intends to be the greatest of the Pharaohs. He will make his mark by building: vast statues; towering obelisks; temples carved from the living rock. Ramses is a giant of a man, dominating his kingdom for 67 years, pushing it on to ever greater glory. The ruins of what he built still stand, and with the aid of new research and cutting edge graphics technology, the true scale of his ambition can now be fully revealed. We reconstruct the grand hypostyle hall at Karnak; explore the technical innovation and engineering skill that produced the temple at Abu Simbel; we rebuild the Ramesseum as he would have seen it, and uncover how the extraordinary tomb that Ramses built for himself would have looked when his body was finally laid there."
Tuesday, October 31
7-8pm -- "The Haunted History of Halloween"
"On October 31, when pint-sized ghouls and goblins trick or treat, they're upholding an ancient northern European ritual dating back thousands of years. From the Celtic festival of Samhain to the mummingtradition and the Christian feast day All Hallows' Eve, we find out why this night is the scariest of the year!"
10-11pm -- "Man Moment Machine - Alexander the Great and the Devastating Catapult"
"Only Alexander the Great would have the audacity to attempt such a daring siege--the fortified island city of Tyre seems invincible, but his Macedonian troops are inspired and determined, and the young Alexander has a secret weapon--a machine created for the destruction of cities: the catapult. If Tyre falls, it will be a pivotal victory in Alexander's quest for a new empire--a key stop on a march that will cover more than 10,000 miles and span three continents."
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
FYI: Papyrus
From this week's "Internet Scout Report'...
Advanced Papyrological Information System: "Writing from the ancient world frequently appears on papyrological materials such as papyri and wood tablets, and many of these important artifacts are in far-flung locations that may be difficult for researchers to access. The Advanced Papyrological System (APIS) has stepped in to provide a virtual location to house digitized images of many of these materials, along with English translations. The funding for the project has come from a variety of sources, including the National Endowment for the Humanities andparticipating institutions, such as the University of Chicago, Duke University, and the University of Toronto. Visitors can perform any number of elaborate searches using keywords, collection, date, and so on. For the more casual user, there is also the option of just browsing by subject word,writing material, or language."
Bookstore to send textbooks back!
If you haven't gotten all of your textbooks like you should have, there's no time like the present!
"Beginning October 16th, 2006 the bookstore will begin the process of returning textbooks to the vendors and publishers..."
"Beginning October 16th, 2006 the bookstore will begin the process of returning textbooks to the vendors and publishers..."
This week's Extra-Credit TV viewing possibilities!
The History Channel will be showing the following documentaries that are related to what we're studying this semester... Post an analytical comment here regarding the program to receive extra-credit just for watching attentively TV! :-)
10/14/2006
08:00 PM
"The Exodus Decoded": The story of the Exodus invokes an epic tale--Pharaohs and Israelites, plaguesand miracles, splitting of the sea and drowning of anarmy, and Moses. It's at the heart of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. After much research--workingwith archaeologists, Egyptologists, geologists, and theologians--filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici concluded that the Exodus took place hundreds of years earlier than thought. With a new timetable, Jacobovicire examined artifacts and discovered that the traditional consensus on the date was reached without reference to Judaic texts that record the oral traditions. When Jacobovici consulted these texts,they revealed names of people and places unknown to researchers until recently when extensive excavations in the Nile Delta took place. Teaming up with special effects designers, he created a unique digital experience of the Exodus. Blending archaeological findings with eye-catching effects, Jacobovici creates a virtual museum to showcase his discoveries.
10:00 PM
"Caligula: Reign of Madness": Caligula ruled the Roman Empire fewer than four years, and was only 28 when assassinated by officers of his guard in 41AD. His reign was a legendary frenzy of lunacy, murder, and lust. Between executions, he staged spectacular orgies, made love to his sister, and declared himself a living god. Join us for a look at this devoted son, murderer, pervert, and loving father whose anguished life was far more bizarre than the myth that surrounds him.
10/15/2006
08:00 PM
"Egypt: Engineering an Empire": Twenty-five hundred years before the reign of Julius Caesar, the ancient Egyptians were deftly harnessing the power of engineering on an unprecedented scale. Egyptian temples, fortresses, pyramids and palaces forever redefined the limits of architectural possibility. They also served as a warning to all of Egypt's enemies-that the world's most advanced civilization could accomplish anything. This two-hour special uses cinematic recreations and cutting-edge CGI to profile the greatest engineering achievements of ancient Egypt, and the pharaohs and architects who were behind them. Includes Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara, Senusret's Nubian Superfortresses, Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple at Dier el-Bahari, Akhenaten's city at Amarna, and the temples of Ramesses the Great at Abu Simbel.
10:00 PM Strange Egypt. We all know the Egypt of the pyramids and King Tut's tomb. But there's much, much more. The daily life of ancient Egyptians was filledwith magic, mystery, and sex. We'll take a closer lookat the beliefs and habits of one of the world's oldest cultures. There was incest in the royal palace, divine cats, and an entire industry devoted to ushering the dead into the next world. Spells, potions, and incantations ruled every aspect of life. Yet even in these unusual customs, we'll find the human face ofthe ancient people of Egypt.
11:00 PM
"Modern Marvels. Mummy Tech": After thousands of years, Egyptian mummies are speaking from the grave. With the use of state-of-the-art computer tomography scanning, known as CT-scanning, we explore inside a 2,000-year-old mummified body of an Egyptian child. With today's technology, mummies are studied without being unwrapped. Researchers travel around inside the mummy's head and body with 3-D imagery. We meet Dr. Robert Brier, a renowned Egyptologist. Dr. Brier reveals secrets of Mummification--it took up to 70 days to preserve the dead. Aided by new technology, we investigate the death of one of the most famous mummies, King Tut. Was he murdered or did he die froman illness? We also uncover the case of the Mummy who lay in obscurity for over a hundred years, until modern science unlocked the secrets of his identity as an Egyptian pharaoh. And we join a team of conservationists as they build a nitrogen-filled glass display case to provide a safe sanctuary to prevent mummies from decay.
Update: Blog for Extra-Credit (plus "Troy")
Well, considering how persnickety this new blogger beta has been, let's go ahead and make blog participation not absolutely required (unless I explicitly say otherwise), and instead give extra-credit points for it. What do you say??
Remember also that I offered extra-credit for viewing the movie "Troy," and posting in a comment here one thing particularly historically-accurate about it, and one thing that's not... (Remember to mix it up, so if somebody also posts what you were going to say, be sure to come up with another one!)
Remember also that I offered extra-credit for viewing the movie "Troy," and posting in a comment here one thing particularly historically-accurate about it, and one thing that's not... (Remember to mix it up, so if somebody also posts what you were going to say, be sure to come up with another one!)
Thursday, September 28, 2006
FYI: "Maps of War"
Who has controlled the Middle East? Pretty much everybody... Take a look at 5000 years of history over a few seconds in Maps of War.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
REQUIRED for 9/26: The Secret behind Aboriginal Story Painting! (UPDATED)
Hint: The mysterious rectangle depicted was a "didgeridoo"...
Read more at How Art Made the World: Once Upon a Time - Storytelling, Aboriginal Style and How Art Made the World: Once Upon a Time - Interview with David Attenborough
And, FYI, there are related videos "Time Enough for Art" and "Not Meant for the Wider World"
UPDATED 9/21: What do you think of that thesis considering today's news from Seed Magazine that Mirror Neurons Also Respond to Language and Sound, not to mention that apparently "Music makes you smarter if you get an early start" and music may have evolved through Darwinian sexual selection (via Metafilter).
Read more at How Art Made the World: Once Upon a Time - Storytelling, Aboriginal Style and How Art Made the World: Once Upon a Time - Interview with David Attenborough
And, FYI, there are related videos "Time Enough for Art" and "Not Meant for the Wider World"
UPDATED 9/21: What do you think of that thesis considering today's news from Seed Magazine that Mirror Neurons Also Respond to Language and Sound, not to mention that apparently "Music makes you smarter if you get an early start" and music may have evolved through Darwinian sexual selection (via Metafilter).
Monday, September 18, 2006
Updated Assignment Links for 9/21!!
Saturday, September 16, 2006
FYI: This week's 'History in the News' from 'Mirabilis.ca'
- Stone Age female statue unearthed
- Stone slab bears earliest known writing in Americas
- Egyptian writing "scanned" using high-tech methods
Plus, "Gibraltar may have been the last refuge of the Neanderthals, according to the results of a six-year archaeological dig. The findings, which show that Neanderthals lived alongside modern humans for thousands of years, bring fresh evidence to the debate on what happened to our evolutionary cousins, and whether modern humans drove them to extinction" (more at "Neanderthal's last stand").
Thursday, September 14, 2006
IMPORTANT: SCHEDULE CHANGE!!
How would you all like a couple more days to work on the paper??
Turns out that I had to shift a couple of lessons around in order to get the auditorium to show you the IMAX film on Egypt... So that means that on TUESDAY, SEPT. 19th we'll be watching documentaries in the auditorium during our classtime, and instead having our discussion on the paper on THURSDAY, SEPT. 21st!! (The paper will also be due now on Thursday!)
If that's inconvenient in any way, go ahead and feel free to give me your paper on Tuesday the 19th, if you prefer! :-)
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Laughran
Turns out that I had to shift a couple of lessons around in order to get the auditorium to show you the IMAX film on Egypt... So that means that on TUESDAY, SEPT. 19th we'll be watching documentaries in the auditorium during our classtime, and instead having our discussion on the paper on THURSDAY, SEPT. 21st!! (The paper will also be due now on Thursday!)
If that's inconvenient in any way, go ahead and feel free to give me your paper on Tuesday the 19th, if you prefer! :-)
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Laughran
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
FYI: What came first? Beer or Civilization??
I'd post sample questions to consider, but how about we just start with "what do you think of this argument? Is it valid, do you think? Why or why not?"
FYI: The World's Oldest Portrait & More Art in Evolution...
What do you think about this relatively recent news?
"Archaeologists have discovered what they believe to be a 27,000-year-old drawing of a face, which would make it the oldest in history. Like many other ancient portraits, it is reminiscent of the work of some of the great modern artists, writes Jonathan Jones - and speaks volumes about the way we see ourselves..." (more!)
Plus, "Image galleries and theoretical research on three million years of art, religion and language in human evolution."
"Archaeologists have discovered what they believe to be a 27,000-year-old drawing of a face, which would make it the oldest in history. Like many other ancient portraits, it is reminiscent of the work of some of the great modern artists, writes Jonathan Jones - and speaks volumes about the way we see ourselves..." (more!)
Plus, "Image galleries and theoretical research on three million years of art, religion and language in human evolution."
FYI: Where you live and your life expectancy!
Throughout history, a number of variables have been used to explain the longevity of life within particular cultures. Obviously life expectancy in this modern/postmodern age is impacted by moder medical technologies and the advancement of science.
From a social problems perspective, one's life expectancy is influenced not only in terms of where one lives, but also the availability of health care which can be different for people depending on what social group they belong to. For instance we know that one's economic position has a great effect on their health.
Happy Reading from Dr. Brooker!!!
From a social problems perspective, one's life expectancy is influenced not only in terms of where one lives, but also the availability of health care which can be different for people depending on what social group they belong to. For instance we know that one's economic position has a great effect on their health.
Happy Reading from Dr. Brooker!!!
Saturday, September 09, 2006
FYI: "Survival of the harmonious"
Sample questions to consider: "Glance back at the Adams book to see what they say about prehistoric music... then, if you're interested, take a look at the following article. What do you think about it??"
- Survival of the harmonious - The Boston Globe
- Online discussion re: "Survival of the harmonious: Why did we develop music?"
BTW, instead of posting your reactions here, why not post 'em to the online discussion above, and just include the link for your post here? That way, I'll count it two posts for this week instead of just one! :-)
Friday, September 08, 2006
FYI: The Worst Analogies Ever Written in a High School Essay!
Actually, I'm pretty certain that there have been worse ones out there, but these are pretty bad... or so bad they're good! :-) Enjoy!!
The Worst Analogies Ever Written in a High School Essay!
The Worst Analogies Ever Written in a High School Essay!
Thursday, September 07, 2006
FYI: Drought, Water, Society & Civilization in the News (UPDATED!)
Sample questions to consider:
- How does the availability (or lack thereof) affect the development of societies?
- Are we immune to such effects in our "developed" societies of the early twenty-first century?
- Can ancient societies teach us anything specific about water use and conservation, do you think?
(Again... if you want to comment here, your analytical comments don't have to be on all these readings, and aren't limited to addressing these questions only!)
- Ancient biblical waterworks found in Israel - Yahoo! News
- "A Good Idea!": One Billion People Still Drink Unsafe Water - UN
- "A Good Idea!": Safe Water for the Entire World... It's Not a "Pipe" Dream!
- Ice Age gives clues to global warming: study - Yahoo! News
- Seed Magazine: "A Hostile Climate: Did global warming cause a resource war in Darfur?"
- Rich and poor countries alike face water crisis - Yahoo! News
- Food, biofuels could worsen water shortages: report - Yahoo! News
- Fixing leaks better than building dams: expert. 22/08/2006. ABC News Online
- "Glass Half Full: Map of the Coming Water Wars"
- Global water crisis looms larger - Linkfilter
- Reconstruction - Studies in Contemporary Culture: "Water: Resources & Discourses"
UPDATED, 9/12:
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
FYI: Great Question!
Hey, ya'll! I just got a great question via email from Amber, which I thought I'd share with you all here (and I hope she doesn't mind!) In the future, if you all would like, you could post such questions here (and they'd count toward your 1 or more blog posts per week, even!)
Again, great question! In part, I think they're vague about which racial group built Stonehenge because they're not really sure. Apparently, there were various waves of immigration from Northern Continental Europe into Britain during the Iron Age, and - as far as I can tell - they're still trying to sort them all out!
:-)
There are, of course, a number of theories about Stonehenge. One of my favorites is a part from that series I'll be showing in class tomorrow... See what you think about it! Enjoy!!
"In the reading for homework it mentioned stonehenge, but very little was explained. My question is about exactly who they believe had built the cromlech. They hypothisize on how the stones got there, but not who built it. They don't really mention it nor explain it. I do know that the celtic peoples had spread throughout continental Europe and into England and Ireland before Rome became thoroughly established, but how much earlier? Could they be the ones who added onto the structure? Or were they later in time? I was just curious, but any information would be helpful.Thanks.
Amber Brooks"
:-)
There are, of course, a number of theories about Stonehenge. One of my favorites is a part from that series I'll be showing in class tomorrow... See what you think about it! Enjoy!!
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
FYI: Human Evolution in the News... (UPDATED)
Sample questions to consider:
- Why does the theory of evolution trouble many people even in the early twenty-first century?
- Why doesn't the Catholic Church oppose the theory of evolution, do you think?
(Note: if you want to comment here, your analytical comments don't have to be on all these readings, and aren't limited to addressing these questions only!)
- "Instant Expert: Human Evolution" - 24 August 2006 - New Scientist
- Pope and former students ponder evolution, not "ID" - Yahoo! News
- Most Americans Agree with Evolution: Angus Reid Consultants
- ScienceDaily: Newly Discovered Gene May Hold Clues To Evolution Of Human Brain Capacity
- Mental Leap: What apes can teach us about the human mind - Science News Online, Sept. 2, 2006
- Dolphin Intelligence : MetaFilter
- Artefacts support theory man came from Africa - Mirabilis.ca
- Ancient humans "followed rains" - Mirabilis.ca
- Some Ancient Caves Designed for Comfort- Discovery Channel News
How about a little evolutionary fun? Try "Name That Skull"! :-)
UPDATED 9/8: Here's another interesting link... Monkey see, monkey do!
UPDATED 9/9: And another... ScienceDaily: Modern Humans, Not Neandertals, May Be Evolution's 'Odd Man Out'!
UPDATED 9/12:
- Arizona State University's Institute for Human Origins reviews four million years of human evolution in this interactive documentary.
- BBC - Science & Nature - Human beginnings
Welcome to Dr. Laughran's Honors Western Civ!
This course will cover not only the major political developments in the West from the first evidence of civilizations through the Middle Ages, but will examine social and cultural aspects as well (in other words, how people lived everyday life in the past and how they perceived their world). Throughout we will also examine a lot of historical "material culture," that is, art and artifacts which help us understand better the past societies we are studying!
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic historical research skills, critical thinking essential for the interpretation of historical facts, and good communications skills in order to communicate an historical analysis in writing and in discussion (all skills appreciated by employers!)...
On that note, I myself do this job because I believe history is both challenging and a lot of fun, and this is the philosophy I try to communicate in class! Likewise, whether you are interested in understanding how our society came to be the way it is, or you want to learn about the world and the past beyond New England today, or you are just taking this class because you have to, you should find that if you try to have fun by honestly fulfilling your own curiosity about history, a handy and pleasant side effect is that often the grade you earn is much higher because curiosity and interest are the best recipe for motivating you to do good work!
At the same time, as an Honors course, this class will be more challenging than standard Western Civ. But it is my firm belief that it should also be even more rewarding as a result, and I will thus attempt to add unique learning opportunities whenever possible!
So... let's have fun and get started!!
Welcome, and see you in class!!
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic historical research skills, critical thinking essential for the interpretation of historical facts, and good communications skills in order to communicate an historical analysis in writing and in discussion (all skills appreciated by employers!)...
What do you get out of studying history?
Not just the ability to understand and explain the nature of past societies (and the forces which affected them and which can still affect us to this very day), but also the ability to:· know the difference between "knowledge" and "data," and an understanding of how to extract knowledge from data (a very important skill in today's " Information Economy"!!!)
· manage vast amounts of different kinds of information from a wide-range of sources.
· use historical knowledge and skills to develop one's own insights and interpretations. (History helps us not only to recognize long-term trends but also to make greater sense out of the world we live in.)
· address and resolve problems. (This involves linking the knowledge you learn to the knowledge you already have in order to arrive at a new, greater understanding of the whole!)
· think creatively within and beyond one's studies. (History helps us to develop a critical imagination which allows us to connect not just with the past, but also allows us to be more open to new ideas and the differences of others…)
· work and learn with others. (This is "knowledge in action" instead of just possessing knowledge… It involves asking informed questions and communicating your understanding and ideas in discussion with others or in writing.)
· manage your own learning within and beyond your academic studies. (It's all about encouraging your own personal sense of curiosity and recognizing that life is really nothing more than one long learning process that we can embrace and
enjoy!)
(from The Practice of University History Teaching, eds. Alan Booth and Paul Hyland [Manchester, 2000]).
On that note, I myself do this job because I believe history is both challenging and a lot of fun, and this is the philosophy I try to communicate in class! Likewise, whether you are interested in understanding how our society came to be the way it is, or you want to learn about the world and the past beyond New England today, or you are just taking this class because you have to, you should find that if you try to have fun by honestly fulfilling your own curiosity about history, a handy and pleasant side effect is that often the grade you earn is much higher because curiosity and interest are the best recipe for motivating you to do good work!
At the same time, as an Honors course, this class will be more challenging than standard Western Civ. But it is my firm belief that it should also be even more rewarding as a result, and I will thus attempt to add unique learning opportunities whenever possible!
So... let's have fun and get started!!
Welcome, and see you in class!!
Sunday, September 03, 2006
REQUIRED: Assignment for Tues., Sept. 12
- Read the online learning module on the Agricultural Revolution, units 3-7 only (plus the module overview) for Tues., Sept. 12th!
(Be sure to click "next page" at the bottom of the page to make sure that you've read the entire unit. Going back to the home page lets you choose the next unit to read...) - Read How to Read a Primary Source.
REQUIRED: Assignment for Thurs., Sept. 7
Read:
- "Some Keys to Good Reading"
(FYI - optionally, if you're interested, you can go on to read "Surf like a Bushman," which compares modern information mining on the internet to good ol' hunting and gathering...)
Saturday, August 19, 2006
"September 11 -- what year? 30 percent of Americans don't know"
The value of history?!
(What amazes me more actually is that apparently FIVE PERCENT of those polled couldn't remember the MONTH & DATE of September 11th!!)
September 11 -- what year? 30 percent of Americans don't know - Yahoo! News
(What amazes me more actually is that apparently FIVE PERCENT of those polled couldn't remember the MONTH & DATE of September 11th!!)
September 11 -- what year? 30 percent of Americans don't know - Yahoo! News
Friday, August 18, 2006
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Posts from old "HonorsBlog"
honorsblog
The Quasi-Official Blog of SJC's Honors Program
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
FYI: from Dr. Connolly
Childsplay Benefit Concert on Friday, April 28th!
posted by Michelle at 9:00 AM 0 comments
FYI: from Dr. Connolly
Childsplay Benefit Concert on Friday, April 28th!
posted by Michelle at 9:00 AM 0 comments
FYI: from Dr. Connolly
Childsplay Benefit Concert on Friday, April 28th!
posted by Michelle at 9:00 AM 0 comments
Friday, November 18, 2005
Flashback: Snippet from Yamato Japanese Drummers!
Putfile - yamato
posted by Michelle at 4:16 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Re: Capstone - "Focus Now on Getting Kids to Finish Degree - Yahoo! News"
Focus Now on Getting Kids to Finish Degree - Yahoo! News
posted by Michelle at 10:52 AM 0 comments
Monday, November 14, 2005
LAST CALL! Honors' Event for Nov.:YAMATO JAPANESE DRUMMERS
There are only something like SIX tickets left!!!
Wanna go?? Run a.s.a.p. to Student Affairs and get your $4 ticket!!!
We'll be leaving SJC by van from in front of Alfond CENTER @ 6 pm!!
----------------------------------
YAMATO Drummers of Japan!!
Thursday, November 17 @ 7:30 pm
Merrill Auditorium, Portland
Witness a breathtakingly modern take on traditional Japanese drumming!
A cross between music and dance, performers use their entire bodies to beat the drums, some of which are 6-feet wide, 900 pounds, and 400 years old!!
I've just learned that Student Affairs has kindly offered to co-sponsor this event! Honors' students will only need to pay $4 each (instead of the usual whole ticket price of $28!)
For more information on Yamato Drummers of Japan, see PCA Great Performances' website and Yamato's official website.
(Don't worry... for the latter, you can just keep hitting "cancel" for the Japanese language pack update, and the page will eventually load anyway!!)
posted by Michelle at 10:49 AM 0 comments
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Newsflash: "Smarter kids may live longer: study"!
Smarter kids may live longer: study - Yahoo! News
posted by Michelle at 10:31 AM 0 comments
Friday, November 04, 2005
QUOTE OF THE DAY :-)
"Instead of giving money to found colleges to promote learning, why don't they pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as good as the Prohibition one did, why, in five years we would have the smartest race of people on earth." Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)
posted by Michelle at 4:40 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Senior Honors Meeting this Monday *MOVED* to Monday, November 14th!
Ciao, all me most honorable students! I have not yet heard back from the Maine Compact for Higher Education, and I've been invited to attend a workshop on service learning (my first!) next Wednesday, so we might as well postpone the Honors meeting about Capstone that we’d originally scheduled for this Monday until Monday, November 14th at 5 pm in the Cafeteria. BTW, I’m thinking about assigning as a textbook one of the “annual editions,” a textbook series published brand-new, hot off the presses EACH AND EVERY YEAR with all the latest information and updates… in this case, the one on “Global Issues.” You can read more about it and check out the table of contents of the brand, spanking new one here … Be sure to tell me what you think about the idea of having such a cutting-edge text!See you not this Monday but next!Dr. Laughran
posted by Michelle at 1:13 PM 0 comments
Sunday, October 30, 2005
BLAST FROM THE PAST!
Hey, Seniors... Remember this?!
And, last but not least... (What can I say? I was--and am--easily amused!!)
posted by Michelle at 12:30 PM 0 comments
Friday, October 28, 2005
*CEILI!* (Irish Dance...)
posted by Michelle at 10:50 AM 0 comments
Thursday, October 27, 2005
20% off Borders's Coupons good for this Weekend!!
Borders
posted by Michelle at 2:48 PM 0 comments
For Fun: Einstein Blackboard Generator
Make your own Einstein blackboard message!
(Not to mention the Bart Simpson chalkboard generator...)
Enjoy!! :-)
posted by Michelle at 2:32 PM 0 comments
Foreign Policy - Complimentary Digital Subscription!
For those of you interested in current events... I've done a number of these, and there's really no strings attached. (They just want to get you hooked on the publication, so that hopefully you resubscribe... but they don't even get a credit card number ahead of time!!) Foreign Policy - Complimentary Digital Subscription!
posted by Michelle at 1:35 PM 0 comments
From Allyson Joy re: Capstone
Hi Michelle,You must have a great class….this will be perfect! I personally know Sue Gendron ~ the Commissioner forThe Department of Education.Would you like to still meet? I will need a course syllabus, also a contract from each student. We will have to contact them and match a need with your course…student may be involved in this process.This will be FUN! AllysonFrom: Michelle Laughran - History Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 2:13 PMTo: Allyson JoySubject: RE: Honors ideasDear Allyson,After meeting with the Honors seniors Monday night, they seemed to get excited about working together with the Compact for Higher Education ( Home Page).What do you think??Thanks!!Michelle
posted by Michelle at 1:31 PM 0 comments
FYI for Capstone: Rich Nations Aiding 'Brain Drain' - Yahoo! News
Does the same happen for Maine, do you think?? Study: Rich Nations Aiding 'Brain Drain' - Yahoo! News
posted by Michelle at 7:20 AM 0 comments
SENIORS: CAPSTONE time!
Based on a review of the current schedule for Spring 2006, the Honors seniors have opted for TUESDAYS @ 5:30 - 9 pm for Capstone (so as not conflict with as many classes, internships, clinicals, etc. etc. as possible!)
posted by Michelle at 5:48 AM 0 comments
Honors' Outings: Friday, Oct. 28th & Nov. 17th
Dear all,We'll leave from in front of Alfond CENTER at 6 pm Friday evening for the Halloween silent movie and costume contest in Portland! (If you haven't yet, and you wanna go, be sure to RSVP so we have enough van space for everybody!!)(And the tickets for Yamato have been purchased... More info coming soon!!)See you then!Dr. Laughran
posted by Michelle at 5:28 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Idea for Honors Senior Capstone Service-Learning Project... Whatcha think?
Compact for Higher Education - Home
posted by Michelle at 7:10 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Blog Updated...
Dear all,I just moved the links for "goings-on in Portland" to the sidebar, in case you go looking for them!Be sure to check out the Honors' events (Yamato... Halloween... Ceili...) coming up on the calendar listed above and below this post!!:-)Dr. Laughran
posted by Michelle at 4:02 PM 0 comments
HONORS HALLOWEEN HAPPENING!
We've got 2 vans reserved, leaving here at 6 pm.(Meet in front of Alfond Center.) Be sure to rsvp so we'll know if we need more transportation!!See you there! (It'll be a blast!!)Halloween Silent Film Night"The Phantom of the Opera"(1926 version with Lon Chaney)David Peckham, organist (playing the ginormous Kotzschmar pipe organ!)Costume Contest 7:00 pmAdmission: $10.00 suggested at the door ($5.00 if wearing a costume)@ Merrill Auditorium in Portland
posted by Michelle at 11:01 AM 0 comments
Senior Meeting about Capstone @ Mon., Oct. 24th!
Howdy Seniors! We'll have our second serious (well, as serious as we ever are...) meeting to plan Capstone on Monday, Oct. 24 at 5 pm in the Cafeteria, where we'll sit off to the side and gab while grabbing a meal. Bring your suggestions for themes we might like to explore in Capstone, as well as possibilities for a class service-learning project!!See you then!!Dr. LaughranP.S.You're the first ones to be entered as the members of the Honors Students’ very own blog at http://sjchonorsclub.blogspot.com. Congratulations! ;-) You can go ahead and start posting, if you like, about your ideas for Capstone.
posted by Michelle at 10:27 AM 0 comments
Friday, October 14, 2005
Honors' FUN! Ceili (Irish Dance) with Dr. Connolly
Ask the upperclasspersons... by now, Dr. Connolly's Ceilis (or Irish Dances) are legendary! Don't miss this chance to join the fun!!Don't know how to ceili? No worries!! That's why there'll be...
Ceili Workshop
(How to Irish Dance!)
Wednesday, November 9 @ 7 pm
Mercy Cafeteria
to be followed by...
A real Ceili with LIVE IRISH MUSIC!
Sunday, November 13 @ 2:30 pm
Ri-Ra's Irish Pub & Restaurant in Portland
(This program is co-sponsored by the Honors Program and the Cultural Affairs committee.)
posted by Michelle at 12:58 PM 0 comments
Friday, September 30, 2005
Goings-On in Portland: Chorale
Henry Purcell's (1659-1695) short opera "Dido and Aeneas" is based on the story of the legendary Trojan hero from Virgil's "Aeneid." Aeneas is shipwrecked on the Mediterranean Sea and lands in Carthage, where he is royally entertained. He falls in love with Dido, the Queen of Carthage, but witches conspire for their downfall. Purcell's opera is the best known English Baroque opera, featuring clearly drawn characters and beautiful arias. This performance is accompanied by the DaPonte String Quartet and Ray Cornils on harpsichord.Maine Irish Heritage Center34 Gray Street,Portland, MaineSaturday, November 5, 20057:30 p.m.Advance Tickets: $15At the Door: $15/$20
CAS sings Handel's Messiah, for many the best known and best loved classical choral work. This large-scale performance, featuring both a massive oratorio chorus and our more intimate Camerata, will bring out the intricate as well as the grandiose spirit of Messiah. CAS presents the best of both worlds in a spectacular performance not heard in Merrill Auditorium for over a decade.Merrill Auditorium20 Myrtle Street,Portland, MaineSunday, April 2, 20063:00 p.m.Tickets: TBA (available around the first of the year, through PortTix)
Finally, Toshiyuki Shimada is conducting Verdi’s Requiem for his final concert with the Portland Symphony: CAS Masterworks Chorus joins the Portland Symphony Orchestra in Toshiyuki Shimada's musical farewell to Portland, with what many consider Verdi's greatest work.Merrill Auditorium20 Myrtle Street, Portland, MaineTuesday, May 2, 2006 7:30 p.m.Tickets: available through PortTix 207-842-0800(limited seats are available, please call the box office directly)
posted by Michelle at 9:30 AM 0 comments
Friday, September 23, 2005
I don't know if we can do this... But I'd love to sponsor a trip for the Honors program to see this historic event!
King Tut exhibition. Tutankhamun & the Golden Age of the Pharaohs. Treasures from the Valley of the Kings. (Will be the closest to us in Philadelphia, starting Feb. 2007!)
posted by Michelle at 11:52 AM 0 comments
A few more suggestions...
Oh, a few more suggestions that I just remembered that Dr. Bridge had passed along to me..."Hi Michelle,Just finished up with the honors orientation. Thirteen students in all--it went very well. (We ended up using the AFI quotes.) Good group. I took notes for the programming interest survey. Similar to what I've heard in the past. I promised I'd pass them along:Rock concerts (Paranoid Social Club, etc.) - PortlandSea Dogs, Pirates gamesTenting/Camping/Hiking - Acadia, etc.Whitewater rafting tripsMontreal tripPeace,Steve "
posted by Michelle at 11:46 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Honors program suggestions so far...
Copied and pasted from my WebCT class last spring..."Subject: Honors Program!!!Message no. 40Author: Danielle Levesque (dlevesque)Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2005 12:36pmAlright, for those of you who don't know/weren't in class today (4/5) for whatever reason, we spent a good part of the class discussing ideas for/about the Honors Program, since Dr. Laughran is taking control of the HP at the end of this spring semester.Here's a list of ideas we discussed in class today, if you have any others or any comments on these, please post them!1. Honors Club (to have access to SGA funds as any other club would)2. trip to Italy (possibly a Senior Honors trip?)3. trip for more people (instead of just 10 or 15 lucky people per semester)4. ceilidh (with Dr. Connolly's involvement)5. Honors House (for housing, almost like a frat house- only concern is elitism, but point made that sports teams i.e. baseball have the same kind of elitism, baseball team has a whole section of quads)6. fun Honors activity for the group as a whole7. Senior Trip Savings Account (so each year's Honors Seniors can go somewhere pretty awesome, like, oh, say... Italy?)8. fundraisers (each fundraiser's participants are noted, and the $ earned goes equally into the "accounts" of ONLY those who participated- Nichole's idea)9. ***Honors Overnight/Afternoon in Alfond (perhaps an overnight, BBQ, general bonding-type thing for ALL of the Honors kids)10. ******weighted grades OR priority for housing selection/room selection (discussed that it wasn't fair that non-honors classes are easier, and if a person has a lower grade in an honors class than someone else has in a non-honors class, it's almost like the honors students get penalized for their classes being more difficult- maybe honors classes could be weighted but ONLY for room selection?)11. Honors Hall/Suites (see #5 & 10)12. Honors Lounge (see #5, 10, 11)13. invest $/endowment for Honors (take portion of money each year & put it away to grow)14. hands-on activities for Honors group15. Honors group at whole wants more credit for performance/achievements16. more SGA involvement17. more trips/less people on each trip or less trips/more people on each trip?18. class-specific trips, class-specific funds19. summer program/week/end for Honors group20. more of an orientation for Honors group (rising first-years?)21. will the HP become a pseudo-National-Honors-Society?22. DaVinci Code/Angels & Demons project? (read books and then go to places discussedin them???)23. Reading Club as extention of Honors Club/Program24. Honors Program listing on Web CT (post announcements about trips, mtgs etc. without having to always go through email... and we could move this thread to that listing as well)Well, that's all I have for notes on that... I definitely think we need to work on #1 (an Honors Club), #9 (the Honors shindig), and #10 (priority housing for Honors students) as soon as possible. The more input everyone has, the better I guess- instead of it just being a "maybe", we can really make it happen. If there's anyone in this class who's somehow involved with SGA, Senate or something who could get info on club requirements/process etc, it would be fabulous- so we can work on getting what we need to do this, if it's what we want and its possible.""Subject: Re: Honors Program!!!Message no. 60 [Reply of: no. 40]Author: Dr. Michelle Laughran (HY102-M)Date: Friday, April 8, 2005 4:39pmDanielle, thanks for a great job on documenting our discussion!! Are you sure you're not a latent historian?? :)Some great ideas here... Maybe I'll try to get an open link posted on our Honors website so everybody can take part in this discussion!! Keep the ideas coming!!!!!!!!Thanks again, everybody, both for your ideas and your support!! :)Michelle Laughran"
posted by Michelle at 11:46 AM 1 comments
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Borders' Coupon: 20% Off TOTAL PURCHASE for Students!!
Borders - Feature - students
posted by Michelle at 11:31 AM 0 comments
Sunday, September 04, 2005
A book writes home...
Over a year ago in Venice, I released a book into the wild. It was my solution for what to do with my "brain candy" novels after I finished reading 'em...Poor things! No used bookstore in Venice would take them (What can I say? I have eclectic tastes...) and I had received a formal protest from my spouse about continuing to schlep tons of paper back and forth across the Atlantic. But what could I do? I couldn't just throw them away! *shudder*BookCrossing turned out to be the perfect solution!!What is "BookCrossing," you may ask? According to the 2004 edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, bookcrossing is "the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise."And it's a completely free service! As their FAQs say, "I'm looking at your site here, and I can't believe what I'm reading. Do you actually want me to give away my books?" To which they reply, "Ummm, yes...
Trust us on this one. Registering your books with BookCrossing.com, then giving them to a friend, a charity, or otherwise releasing them "into the wild" and following their progress and travels, is infinitely more fulfilling than the small satisfaction you'll get by looking at your books in your bookcase every day. As Austin Powers would say, "It's karma, baybee!"
How does it work? Once you finish reading a book, you can sign onto the BookCrossing website and "register" it. The site will then give you a code number to write in or on the book, along with instructions for future readers. You then "release" it in a public place to be discovered and hopefully adopted and read by some well-meaning passerby, who ideally would also log into the site and report where they'd found the book and where they planned to release it next. And so on... By now, there are over 180,000 "BookCrossers" in the U.S., and nearly 400,000 throughout the world.But you don't have to wait until you just find one of these treasures lying about! You can go hunting for BookCrossing releases! I get email alerts whenever a book has been released in one of my hometowns, and you can also check in periodically to the website to see what's new. Venetian releases, for example, can be tracked here.How many released books "check in"? According to the website, only about 20-25%. But don't give up hope! Some have actually gone years before "reappearing." Case in point, Jane Austin's Mansfield Park that I released over a year ago in Venice at the city's famous Rialto Bridge. It's just been found in a bus in Melbourne Australia, by a person who's vowed to read it and then "release" it back into the wild herself. Via con Dios, librito!
Anyway, I've thought more than once that we should have an official "BookCrossing Zone" here on campus, maybe even sponsored by the Honors' Program. Whatch'all think?
posted by Michelle at 12:56 PM 0 comments
Monday, August 15, 2005
Welcome to the quasi-official "blog" for SJC's Honors Program!
What's a "blog"? Why, it's the latest word o' the year!All Honors' Program related announcements will be here! All Honors' profs will have access to posting, and you can even comment on our posts!What's more, all SJC Honors' students will also be entered as "members" in their very own blog and will be able to post regarding their own observations and comments.In addition, blogs lets you use a handy feature called an "rss feed," which can deliver any updates directly to your homepage (and sometimes also to your email box...) For more info on that, check out "The ABCs of RSS" !!Again, welcome, and have a great year!Dr. Laughran
posted by Michelle at 3:31 AM 0 comments
Related Links
SJC's Local Page
Login to WebCT
"A Good Idea"(Honors' Western Civ Blog)
"Honorable Mentions"(SJC Honors Students' Own Blog)
Goings-On in Portland & Nearby
Going on today (and this week) in Greater Portland!
Portland Stage Company
Madhorse Theater Company
Maine Irish Heritage Center
The Center for Cultural Exchange
The Movies on Exchange Street
Previous Posts
FYI: from Dr. Connolly
FYI: from Dr. Connolly
FYI: from Dr. Connolly
Flashback: Snippet from Yamato Japanese Drummers!
Re: Capstone - "Focus Now on Getting Kids to Finis...
LAST CALL! Honors' Event for Nov.:YAMATO JAPANESE ...
Newsflash: "Smarter kids may live longer: study"!
QUOTE OF THE DAY :-)
Senior Honors Meeting this Monday *MOVED* to Monda...
BLAST FROM THE PAST!
Archives
August 2005
September 2005
October 2005
November 2005
April 2006
This is a paragraph of text that could go in the sidebar.
-->
The Quasi-Official Blog of SJC's Honors Program
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
FYI: from Dr. Connolly
Childsplay Benefit Concert on Friday, April 28th!
posted by Michelle at 9:00 AM 0 comments
FYI: from Dr. Connolly
Childsplay Benefit Concert on Friday, April 28th!
posted by Michelle at 9:00 AM 0 comments
FYI: from Dr. Connolly
Childsplay Benefit Concert on Friday, April 28th!
posted by Michelle at 9:00 AM 0 comments
Friday, November 18, 2005
Flashback: Snippet from Yamato Japanese Drummers!
Putfile - yamato
posted by Michelle at 4:16 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Re: Capstone - "Focus Now on Getting Kids to Finish Degree - Yahoo! News"
Focus Now on Getting Kids to Finish Degree - Yahoo! News
posted by Michelle at 10:52 AM 0 comments
Monday, November 14, 2005
LAST CALL! Honors' Event for Nov.:YAMATO JAPANESE DRUMMERS
There are only something like SIX tickets left!!!
Wanna go?? Run a.s.a.p. to Student Affairs and get your $4 ticket!!!
We'll be leaving SJC by van from in front of Alfond CENTER @ 6 pm!!
----------------------------------
YAMATO Drummers of Japan!!
Thursday, November 17 @ 7:30 pm
Merrill Auditorium, Portland
Witness a breathtakingly modern take on traditional Japanese drumming!
A cross between music and dance, performers use their entire bodies to beat the drums, some of which are 6-feet wide, 900 pounds, and 400 years old!!
I've just learned that Student Affairs has kindly offered to co-sponsor this event! Honors' students will only need to pay $4 each (instead of the usual whole ticket price of $28!)
For more information on Yamato Drummers of Japan, see PCA Great Performances' website and Yamato's official website.
(Don't worry... for the latter, you can just keep hitting "cancel" for the Japanese language pack update, and the page will eventually load anyway!!)
posted by Michelle at 10:49 AM 0 comments
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Newsflash: "Smarter kids may live longer: study"!
Smarter kids may live longer: study - Yahoo! News
posted by Michelle at 10:31 AM 0 comments
Friday, November 04, 2005
QUOTE OF THE DAY :-)
"Instead of giving money to found colleges to promote learning, why don't they pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as good as the Prohibition one did, why, in five years we would have the smartest race of people on earth." Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)
posted by Michelle at 4:40 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Senior Honors Meeting this Monday *MOVED* to Monday, November 14th!
Ciao, all me most honorable students! I have not yet heard back from the Maine Compact for Higher Education, and I've been invited to attend a workshop on service learning (my first!) next Wednesday, so we might as well postpone the Honors meeting about Capstone that we’d originally scheduled for this Monday until Monday, November 14th at 5 pm in the Cafeteria. BTW, I’m thinking about assigning as a textbook one of the “annual editions,” a textbook series published brand-new, hot off the presses EACH AND EVERY YEAR with all the latest information and updates… in this case, the one on “Global Issues.” You can read more about it and check out the table of contents of the brand, spanking new one here … Be sure to tell me what you think about the idea of having such a cutting-edge text!See you not this Monday but next!Dr. Laughran
posted by Michelle at 1:13 PM 0 comments
Sunday, October 30, 2005
BLAST FROM THE PAST!
Hey, Seniors... Remember this?!
And, last but not least... (What can I say? I was--and am--easily amused!!)
posted by Michelle at 12:30 PM 0 comments
Friday, October 28, 2005
*CEILI!* (Irish Dance...)
posted by Michelle at 10:50 AM 0 comments
Thursday, October 27, 2005
20% off Borders's Coupons good for this Weekend!!
Borders
posted by Michelle at 2:48 PM 0 comments
For Fun: Einstein Blackboard Generator
Make your own Einstein blackboard message!
(Not to mention the Bart Simpson chalkboard generator...)
Enjoy!! :-)
posted by Michelle at 2:32 PM 0 comments
Foreign Policy - Complimentary Digital Subscription!
For those of you interested in current events... I've done a number of these, and there's really no strings attached. (They just want to get you hooked on the publication, so that hopefully you resubscribe... but they don't even get a credit card number ahead of time!!) Foreign Policy - Complimentary Digital Subscription!
posted by Michelle at 1:35 PM 0 comments
From Allyson Joy re: Capstone
Hi Michelle,You must have a great class….this will be perfect! I personally know Sue Gendron ~ the Commissioner forThe Department of Education.Would you like to still meet? I will need a course syllabus, also a contract from each student. We will have to contact them and match a need with your course…student may be involved in this process.This will be FUN! AllysonFrom: Michelle Laughran - History Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 2:13 PMTo: Allyson JoySubject: RE: Honors ideasDear Allyson,After meeting with the Honors seniors Monday night, they seemed to get excited about working together with the Compact for Higher Education ( Home Page).What do you think??Thanks!!Michelle
posted by Michelle at 1:31 PM 0 comments
FYI for Capstone: Rich Nations Aiding 'Brain Drain' - Yahoo! News
Does the same happen for Maine, do you think?? Study: Rich Nations Aiding 'Brain Drain' - Yahoo! News
posted by Michelle at 7:20 AM 0 comments
SENIORS: CAPSTONE time!
Based on a review of the current schedule for Spring 2006, the Honors seniors have opted for TUESDAYS @ 5:30 - 9 pm for Capstone (so as not conflict with as many classes, internships, clinicals, etc. etc. as possible!)
posted by Michelle at 5:48 AM 0 comments
Honors' Outings: Friday, Oct. 28th & Nov. 17th
Dear all,We'll leave from in front of Alfond CENTER at 6 pm Friday evening for the Halloween silent movie and costume contest in Portland! (If you haven't yet, and you wanna go, be sure to RSVP so we have enough van space for everybody!!)(And the tickets for Yamato have been purchased... More info coming soon!!)See you then!Dr. Laughran
posted by Michelle at 5:28 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Idea for Honors Senior Capstone Service-Learning Project... Whatcha think?
Compact for Higher Education - Home
posted by Michelle at 7:10 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Blog Updated...
Dear all,I just moved the links for "goings-on in Portland" to the sidebar, in case you go looking for them!Be sure to check out the Honors' events (Yamato... Halloween... Ceili...) coming up on the calendar listed above and below this post!!:-)Dr. Laughran
posted by Michelle at 4:02 PM 0 comments
HONORS HALLOWEEN HAPPENING!
We've got 2 vans reserved, leaving here at 6 pm.(Meet in front of Alfond Center.) Be sure to rsvp so we'll know if we need more transportation!!See you there! (It'll be a blast!!)Halloween Silent Film Night"The Phantom of the Opera"(1926 version with Lon Chaney)David Peckham, organist (playing the ginormous Kotzschmar pipe organ!)Costume Contest 7:00 pmAdmission: $10.00 suggested at the door ($5.00 if wearing a costume)@ Merrill Auditorium in Portland
posted by Michelle at 11:01 AM 0 comments
Senior Meeting about Capstone @ Mon., Oct. 24th!
Howdy Seniors! We'll have our second serious (well, as serious as we ever are...) meeting to plan Capstone on Monday, Oct. 24 at 5 pm in the Cafeteria, where we'll sit off to the side and gab while grabbing a meal. Bring your suggestions for themes we might like to explore in Capstone, as well as possibilities for a class service-learning project!!See you then!!Dr. LaughranP.S.You're the first ones to be entered as the members of the Honors Students’ very own blog at http://sjchonorsclub.blogspot.com. Congratulations! ;-) You can go ahead and start posting, if you like, about your ideas for Capstone.
posted by Michelle at 10:27 AM 0 comments
Friday, October 14, 2005
Honors' FUN! Ceili (Irish Dance) with Dr. Connolly
Ask the upperclasspersons... by now, Dr. Connolly's Ceilis (or Irish Dances) are legendary! Don't miss this chance to join the fun!!Don't know how to ceili? No worries!! That's why there'll be...
Ceili Workshop
(How to Irish Dance!)
Wednesday, November 9 @ 7 pm
Mercy Cafeteria
to be followed by...
A real Ceili with LIVE IRISH MUSIC!
Sunday, November 13 @ 2:30 pm
Ri-Ra's Irish Pub & Restaurant in Portland
(This program is co-sponsored by the Honors Program and the Cultural Affairs committee.)
posted by Michelle at 12:58 PM 0 comments
Friday, September 30, 2005
Goings-On in Portland: Chorale
Henry Purcell's (1659-1695) short opera "Dido and Aeneas" is based on the story of the legendary Trojan hero from Virgil's "Aeneid." Aeneas is shipwrecked on the Mediterranean Sea and lands in Carthage, where he is royally entertained. He falls in love with Dido, the Queen of Carthage, but witches conspire for their downfall. Purcell's opera is the best known English Baroque opera, featuring clearly drawn characters and beautiful arias. This performance is accompanied by the DaPonte String Quartet and Ray Cornils on harpsichord.Maine Irish Heritage Center34 Gray Street,Portland, MaineSaturday, November 5, 20057:30 p.m.Advance Tickets: $15At the Door: $15/$20
CAS sings Handel's Messiah, for many the best known and best loved classical choral work. This large-scale performance, featuring both a massive oratorio chorus and our more intimate Camerata, will bring out the intricate as well as the grandiose spirit of Messiah. CAS presents the best of both worlds in a spectacular performance not heard in Merrill Auditorium for over a decade.Merrill Auditorium20 Myrtle Street,Portland, MaineSunday, April 2, 20063:00 p.m.Tickets: TBA (available around the first of the year, through PortTix)
Finally, Toshiyuki Shimada is conducting Verdi’s Requiem for his final concert with the Portland Symphony: CAS Masterworks Chorus joins the Portland Symphony Orchestra in Toshiyuki Shimada's musical farewell to Portland, with what many consider Verdi's greatest work.Merrill Auditorium20 Myrtle Street, Portland, MaineTuesday, May 2, 2006 7:30 p.m.Tickets: available through PortTix 207-842-0800(limited seats are available, please call the box office directly)
posted by Michelle at 9:30 AM 0 comments
Friday, September 23, 2005
I don't know if we can do this... But I'd love to sponsor a trip for the Honors program to see this historic event!
King Tut exhibition. Tutankhamun & the Golden Age of the Pharaohs. Treasures from the Valley of the Kings. (Will be the closest to us in Philadelphia, starting Feb. 2007!)
posted by Michelle at 11:52 AM 0 comments
A few more suggestions...
Oh, a few more suggestions that I just remembered that Dr. Bridge had passed along to me..."Hi Michelle,Just finished up with the honors orientation. Thirteen students in all--it went very well. (We ended up using the AFI quotes.) Good group. I took notes for the programming interest survey. Similar to what I've heard in the past. I promised I'd pass them along:Rock concerts (Paranoid Social Club, etc.) - PortlandSea Dogs, Pirates gamesTenting/Camping/Hiking - Acadia, etc.Whitewater rafting tripsMontreal tripPeace,Steve "
posted by Michelle at 11:46 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Honors program suggestions so far...
Copied and pasted from my WebCT class last spring..."Subject: Honors Program!!!Message no. 40Author: Danielle Levesque (dlevesque)Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2005 12:36pmAlright, for those of you who don't know/weren't in class today (4/5) for whatever reason, we spent a good part of the class discussing ideas for/about the Honors Program, since Dr. Laughran is taking control of the HP at the end of this spring semester.Here's a list of ideas we discussed in class today, if you have any others or any comments on these, please post them!1. Honors Club (to have access to SGA funds as any other club would)2. trip to Italy (possibly a Senior Honors trip?)3. trip for more people (instead of just 10 or 15 lucky people per semester)4. ceilidh (with Dr. Connolly's involvement)5. Honors House (for housing, almost like a frat house- only concern is elitism, but point made that sports teams i.e. baseball have the same kind of elitism, baseball team has a whole section of quads)6. fun Honors activity for the group as a whole7. Senior Trip Savings Account (so each year's Honors Seniors can go somewhere pretty awesome, like, oh, say... Italy?)8. fundraisers (each fundraiser's participants are noted, and the $ earned goes equally into the "accounts" of ONLY those who participated- Nichole's idea)9. ***Honors Overnight/Afternoon in Alfond (perhaps an overnight, BBQ, general bonding-type thing for ALL of the Honors kids)10. ******weighted grades OR priority for housing selection/room selection (discussed that it wasn't fair that non-honors classes are easier, and if a person has a lower grade in an honors class than someone else has in a non-honors class, it's almost like the honors students get penalized for their classes being more difficult- maybe honors classes could be weighted but ONLY for room selection?)11. Honors Hall/Suites (see #5 & 10)12. Honors Lounge (see #5, 10, 11)13. invest $/endowment for Honors (take portion of money each year & put it away to grow)14. hands-on activities for Honors group15. Honors group at whole wants more credit for performance/achievements16. more SGA involvement17. more trips/less people on each trip or less trips/more people on each trip?18. class-specific trips, class-specific funds19. summer program/week/end for Honors group20. more of an orientation for Honors group (rising first-years?)21. will the HP become a pseudo-National-Honors-Society?22. DaVinci Code/Angels & Demons project? (read books and then go to places discussedin them???)23. Reading Club as extention of Honors Club/Program24. Honors Program listing on Web CT (post announcements about trips, mtgs etc. without having to always go through email... and we could move this thread to that listing as well)Well, that's all I have for notes on that... I definitely think we need to work on #1 (an Honors Club), #9 (the Honors shindig), and #10 (priority housing for Honors students) as soon as possible. The more input everyone has, the better I guess- instead of it just being a "maybe", we can really make it happen. If there's anyone in this class who's somehow involved with SGA, Senate or something who could get info on club requirements/process etc, it would be fabulous- so we can work on getting what we need to do this, if it's what we want and its possible.""Subject: Re: Honors Program!!!Message no. 60 [Reply of: no. 40]Author: Dr. Michelle Laughran (HY102-M)Date: Friday, April 8, 2005 4:39pmDanielle, thanks for a great job on documenting our discussion!! Are you sure you're not a latent historian?? :)Some great ideas here... Maybe I'll try to get an open link posted on our Honors website so everybody can take part in this discussion!! Keep the ideas coming!!!!!!!!Thanks again, everybody, both for your ideas and your support!! :)Michelle Laughran"
posted by Michelle at 11:46 AM 1 comments
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Borders' Coupon: 20% Off TOTAL PURCHASE for Students!!
Borders - Feature - students
posted by Michelle at 11:31 AM 0 comments
Sunday, September 04, 2005
A book writes home...
Over a year ago in Venice, I released a book into the wild. It was my solution for what to do with my "brain candy" novels after I finished reading 'em...Poor things! No used bookstore in Venice would take them (What can I say? I have eclectic tastes...) and I had received a formal protest from my spouse about continuing to schlep tons of paper back and forth across the Atlantic. But what could I do? I couldn't just throw them away! *shudder*BookCrossing turned out to be the perfect solution!!What is "BookCrossing," you may ask? According to the 2004 edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, bookcrossing is "the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise."And it's a completely free service! As their FAQs say, "I'm looking at your site here, and I can't believe what I'm reading. Do you actually want me to give away my books?" To which they reply, "Ummm, yes...
Trust us on this one. Registering your books with BookCrossing.com, then giving them to a friend, a charity, or otherwise releasing them "into the wild" and following their progress and travels, is infinitely more fulfilling than the small satisfaction you'll get by looking at your books in your bookcase every day. As Austin Powers would say, "It's karma, baybee!"
How does it work? Once you finish reading a book, you can sign onto the BookCrossing website and "register" it. The site will then give you a code number to write in or on the book, along with instructions for future readers. You then "release" it in a public place to be discovered and hopefully adopted and read by some well-meaning passerby, who ideally would also log into the site and report where they'd found the book and where they planned to release it next. And so on... By now, there are over 180,000 "BookCrossers" in the U.S., and nearly 400,000 throughout the world.But you don't have to wait until you just find one of these treasures lying about! You can go hunting for BookCrossing releases! I get email alerts whenever a book has been released in one of my hometowns, and you can also check in periodically to the website to see what's new. Venetian releases, for example, can be tracked here.How many released books "check in"? According to the website, only about 20-25%. But don't give up hope! Some have actually gone years before "reappearing." Case in point, Jane Austin's Mansfield Park that I released over a year ago in Venice at the city's famous Rialto Bridge. It's just been found in a bus in Melbourne Australia, by a person who's vowed to read it and then "release" it back into the wild herself. Via con Dios, librito!
Anyway, I've thought more than once that we should have an official "BookCrossing Zone" here on campus, maybe even sponsored by the Honors' Program. Whatch'all think?
posted by Michelle at 12:56 PM 0 comments
Monday, August 15, 2005
Welcome to the quasi-official "blog" for SJC's Honors Program!
What's a "blog"? Why, it's the latest word o' the year!All Honors' Program related announcements will be here! All Honors' profs will have access to posting, and you can even comment on our posts!What's more, all SJC Honors' students will also be entered as "members" in their very own blog and will be able to post regarding their own observations and comments.In addition, blogs lets you use a handy feature called an "rss feed," which can deliver any updates directly to your homepage (and sometimes also to your email box...) For more info on that, check out "The ABCs of RSS" !!Again, welcome, and have a great year!Dr. Laughran
posted by Michelle at 3:31 AM 0 comments
Related Links
SJC's Local Page
Login to WebCT
"A Good Idea"(Honors' Western Civ Blog)
"Honorable Mentions"(SJC Honors Students' Own Blog)
Goings-On in Portland & Nearby
Going on today (and this week) in Greater Portland!
Portland Stage Company
Madhorse Theater Company
Maine Irish Heritage Center
The Center for Cultural Exchange
The Movies on Exchange Street
Previous Posts
FYI: from Dr. Connolly
FYI: from Dr. Connolly
FYI: from Dr. Connolly
Flashback: Snippet from Yamato Japanese Drummers!
Re: Capstone - "Focus Now on Getting Kids to Finis...
LAST CALL! Honors' Event for Nov.:YAMATO JAPANESE ...
Newsflash: "Smarter kids may live longer: study"!
QUOTE OF THE DAY :-)
Senior Honors Meeting this Monday *MOVED* to Monda...
BLAST FROM THE PAST!
Archives
August 2005
September 2005
October 2005
November 2005
April 2006
This is a paragraph of text that could go in the sidebar.
-->
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Notes from old Science Class blog
Paradigms Lost
History of Science & Medicine @ SJC
Friday, May 05, 2006
History of Science Essay Contest!
To celebrate the rebranding of the British Society for the History of Science website and the foundation of the Outreach and Education Committee, the BSHS is proud to announce a new competition. We are offering a prize of £250 for the best 500-word answer to this question:WHY SHOULD ANYONE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE?The prize may be split between two entries if the judges decide that they are both of high merit. The winning entry will be made available on the BSHS website. Essays should be written for a general audience; footnotes should be avoided. Entries which are accompanied by one or more images (not exceeding 200KB in memory size), on which there are no copyright restrictions, are especially welcome. The competition is open to non-members of the Society, but only one entry per person may be made, and all entrants must be aged 18 or older. Anyone wishing to submit essays should contact outreach@bshs.org.ukto be given an entry identification number, before any essay is sent. This will permit essays to be assessed anonymously. The closing date for submission is 31st August 2006. The winner will beannounced, and the prize awarded, by the end of October 2006.
posted by Michelle at 2:00 PM 0 comments
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Take Home Final Essay Exam and In-Class Presentations
Well, gang, I'm still sick... so we have to rearrange our calendar a bit.We'll do our in-class presentations during the time scheduled for our final exam, Monday, May 8th at 2:45 pm.As a result, our final essay exam will have to be all take-home. But I'll accept your responses until 11:59 pm on Wednesday, May 10th via email (and sooner, if you'd like to hand them in in hard copy, you may do so during business hours to the Faculty Secretary...)So, without further adieu, here are the final exam questions!INSTRUCTIONS: Please answer the following two essays in no more than 5 pages each, typewritten, doublespaced with 12 point font and 1 inch margins... Remember to use both primary and secondary sources in your response!There's an old joke about a quiz which goes, "The Industrial Revolution was neither industrial nor a revolution. Discuss." And I'd be tempted to ask you the same thing about the Scientific Revolution... But let's try asking it in a way which doesn't seem so sinister! :-)1) What was the scientific and medical paradigm which was prevalent before the Scientific Revolution, and what were the various ways in which that changed over the course of the Scientific Revolution? Being sure to use primary sources, address in what specific ways and why would (pick one) a) Scientific Societies or b) Isaac Newton epitomize the new scientific methods advocated in the Scientific Revolution. And in what specific ways did some of their writings actually uphold the old paradigm, and why, do you think?2) Gender has been an ongoing theme in our class. How did the scientists and physicians of the Scientific Revolution tend to react to issues of gender, both from the perspective of women as practitioners and from that of women as scientific subjects or patients? (Remember to utilize both primary and secondary sources!)
posted by Michelle at 12:29 PM 0 comments
Thursday, April 27, 2006
FYI- re: Gender in the Scientific Revolution
Financial Times.com / Books - Sex, under the microscope(from the Chronicle of Higher Education's Art & Letters Daily)
posted by Michelle at 8:30 AM 0 comments
Monday, April 24, 2006
Re: the article about Harvey
What was going on in the historical background...English Civil War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
posted by Michelle at 11:49 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
FYI - Los Angeles woman hospitalized with bubonic plague
Yikes!!USATODAY.com - Los Angeles woman hospitalized with bubonic plague
posted by Michelle at 6:20 PM 0 comments
Star Wars Fun!
Funny news from the dark side with the "Imperial News Network"!The Emperor is on the hunt for a new job with a temp agency: Watch the Video!"The media bias against Imperial government": Watch the Video!
posted by Michelle at 6:15 PM 0 comments
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Re: Alchemy... Pottery points to monks' quest to create gold
Mirabilis.ca: Pottery points to monks' quest to create gold
posted by Michelle at 6:09 PM 0 comments
Read for 4/24: "Fibonacci Flim-Flam"
Fibonacci Flim-Flam.
posted by Michelle at 7:42 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Newton's Three Laws of Motion
Newton's Three Laws of Motion
posted by Michelle at 11:51 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Question... Want to see the Star Wars exhibit at MoS?
Hey, ya'll... The tickets to see the IMAX of the Amazon will be $4 for each of you. Would you want to also pay an additional $5 each to be able to enter this exhibition?? Let me know!!Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination
posted by Michelle at 1:23 PM 0 comments
Monday, April 10, 2006
REVISED Schedule for April
Monday, April 3: Magic, the Occult and the Scientific RevolutionReading Assignment:
Science in Europe, 7.1 (originally scheduled last Wed.)
Science in Europe, Chap. 6 & Section 8.7;
Mary Quinlan-McGrath, “The Foundation Horoscope(s) for St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, 1506: Choosing a Time, Changing the Storia,” Isis, Vol. 92 (2001), only pp. 716-726, 731-733, and 739-741. (This article is available outside my office for anybody not in class... hint hint!)
Monday, April 10: Scientific Societies & the “Production” of Scientific KnowledgeReading Assignment:
Shapin, 96-109;
Science in Europe, Chap. 9;
Peter Dear, “Totius in Verba: Rhetoric and Authority in the Early Royal Society,” in Isis, Vol. 76 (1985), pp. 144-161;
J. V. Golinski, “A Noble Spectacle: Phosphorus and the Public Cultures of Science in the Early Royal Society,” in Isis, Vol. 80 (1989), pp. 11-39.
Wednesday, April 12: Newton and His Synthesis
Reading Assignment:
Shapin, 57-64 & 109-117;
Science in Europe, Chap. 10;
Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727): Optics, excerpts;
B. J. T. Dobbs, “Newton's Alchemy and His Theory of Matter,” in Isis, Vol. 73 (1982), pp. 511-528
Monday, April 17: Easter Monday - NO CLASS!
Wednesday, April 19: Field Trip to Boston's Museum of Science (meet at 10am in front of Alfond Center!)
Monday, April 24: The (Non-Scientific?) "Uses" of Science Reading Assignment:
Shapin, Chap. 3;
Christopher Hill, “William Harvey and the Idea of Monarchy,” in The Intellectual Revolution of the Seventeenth Century, ed. Charles Webster (London: Routledge & Kegan, 1974), 160-81.
Wednesday, April 26: Women & Gender in Early-Modern Science & Medicine
Reading Assignment:
The Healing Arts, Chap.2.4; Chap. 8;
Health, Disease & Society, 2.2-2.3; 6.7; Chap. 8
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689-1762), “Smallpox Vaccination in Turkey”
Monday, May 1: Eighteenth- & Nineteenth-Century Science: Towards Positivism and the "Cult of Progress"
Reading Assignment:
Science in Europe, 12.1, 14.1, 15.4; and Chap. 16;
Charles Darwin (1809-1882), “On the Origins of Species,”
Reaction to Darwin;
Social Darwinism: Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)
Wednesday, May 3: In-Class presentations
Monday, May 8, 2006 at 2:45PM in Alfond Hall 230: In-Class presentations!
(Have a great summer!!)
posted by Michelle at 3:01 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
FYI: "9,000-Year-Old Dental Drill Is Found - Yahoo! News"
9,000-Year-Old Dental Drill Is Found - Yahoo! News
posted by Michelle at 6:53 PM 0 comments
FYI: Biopharm Leeches - Suppliers of Medicinal Leeches Since 1812
Biopharm Leeches - Suppliers of Medicinal Leeches Since 1812!
posted by Michelle at 6:25 PM 0 comments
NPR : Thinkers Lay Out the Beliefs They Can't Prove
NPR : Thinkers Lay Out the Beliefs They Can't Prove
posted by Michelle at 7:12 AM 0 comments
A discussion about Science in the Age of Certainty on April 12th
A discussion about Science in the Age of Certainty
posted by Michelle at 7:10 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
FYI: Fun astronomy classes at the Portland Planetarium!
Southworth Planetarium University of Southern Maine
posted by Michelle at 1:25 PM 0 comments
Rene' Descartes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rene' Descartes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
posted by Michelle at 11:36 AM 0 comments
Mechanism (philosophy) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mechanism (philosophy) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
posted by Michelle at 11:34 AM 0 comments
Rob: Hot off the Presses about the telescope!!
Amazon.com: Galileo's Instruments of Credit : Telescopes, Images, Secrecy: Books: Mario BiagioliAmazon.com: Stargazer: The Life and Times of the Telescope: Books: Fred Watson
posted by Michelle at 11:29 AM 1 comments
Monday, March 27, 2006
Extra-Credit Opportunity!!
Amanda Gaeb (Class of 2009), Salem Witch Trial reenactmentBelieve it or not, the actual court transcripts and other trial documents for Salem still survive! Come see firsthand what the Salem Witch Trials were like… (Amanda, by the way, is actually a descendant of an accused witch from another series of witch trials in Colonial Massachusetts, and she will be discussing also her colorful family history!)
Dr. Michelle A. Laughran (History) “Who’s the Witch? Witchcraft & Witch Trials in Early-Modern History.” Salem may be the most famous, but it was not the only incidence of witch trials after the Renaissance. Thousands of people would wind up being tried for witchcraft all over Europe and the settlements in the New World. What did people at the time think witches and witchcraft were like, and how did they go about hunting down witches?
Dr. Dale J. Brooker (Sociology), “Examining the Salem Witch Trials using one’s Sociological Imagination: Constructions of Deviance and Community Boundaries in 17th century New England” When Kai Erikson wrote The Wayward Puritans in 1966, he envisioned the Salem Witch Trials as a social experience, one that was deeply rooted in the Puritan culture of 17th century Massachusetts. In his analysis he provides readers with a picture that portrays a world in which community boundaries are constructed around various perceived threats to the community. This paper focuses on the sociological analysis of the Salem settlement with a focus on the witch trials as not only a functional component to ensure social cohesion, but also as an attempt to construct and place labels upon those in the community who were seen as outside the boundaries of what a “good and whole” Puritan settlement should be like.
Dr. Beth Auger (Biology), "Blame it on Ergot?"Among the potential factors leading to the witchcraft hysteria in Salem is the possible presence of ergot in and on the grain crops stored by the colonists. Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) produces LSD and related hallucinogenic compounds; these compounds have been observed to cause symptoms similar to those noted in the residents of Salem during the time of the Witchcraft Trials. We will examine the biology of ergot and similar chemicals and discuss the likelihood for the invo
posted by Michelle at 11:52 AM 0 comments
Theriacum Andromachi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
One example of a recipe for theriac...Theriacum Andromachi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
posted by Michelle at 9:58 AM 0 comments
Saturday, March 25, 2006
FYI... From this week's "Internet Scout Report"
The Deadly Virus: The Influenza Epidemic of 1918The history of human civilizations is rife with disastrous epidemics and plagues, a fact that is sometimes lost on modern-day pundits and commentators. Fortunately, the National Archives hasn’t forgotten about one of history’s more recent tragedies, namely the influenza epidemic of 1918. They recently created this engaging and fascinating collection of documents and photographs that offer a first-hand perspective on this epidemic. All told, the collection offered here contains several dozen primary source materials, including a directive from the Navy in order to educate sailors about the health risks of the disease and a photograph of Seattle police officers clad in protective face masks. One special feature of the site is that visitors can also order copies of the documents, if they are so inclined. Overall, this is a well-designed site that offers a glimpse of theAmerican perspective on this rampant epidemic which eventually killed 20 million people across the world. [KMG]
posted by Michelle at 6:57 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Assignment Calendar for March
Wednesday, March 22:Reading Assignment:
Laughran, "Professionalization of the Apothecary..."
Shapin, pp. 81-89Monday, March 27: Francis Bacon and the Origins of Scientific MethodReading Assignment:
Shapin, 89-96
Science in Europe, 8.3Wednesday, March 29: The Scientific Method of Rene' DescartesReading Assignment:
Shapin, 47-64
Science in Europe, 7.1
posted by Michelle at 12:09 PM 0 comments
Monday, March 20, 2006
Midterm Receipts (update)
This announcement was supposed to be posted also on my other two course blogs... I don't know why it didn't stick.Anyway, here it is again... The Capstone: Midterm Receipts (update)
posted by Michelle at 8:19 PM 0 comments
Friday, March 10, 2006
FYI: Science lit links from this week's "Internet Scout Report"
"LabLit.com - The Culture of Science in Fiction & Fact: Some might be asking themselves: 'What is LabLit?' LabLit.com is '…dedicated to real laboratory culture and to the portrayal and perceptions of that culture-science, scientists and labs-in fiction, the media and across popular culture.' Edited by the researcher Jennifer Rohn, the site contains a cornucopia of material ranging from humor pieces about laboratory life and culture, interviews with scientists and novelists, and a number of surveys and quizzes. From the homepage, visitors can delve right into some of these materials, which also include a number of online forums where lively debates take place on topics such as the perception of science on television and the stereotypes about those working in the field. The site is rounded out by the'Lab Lit List', which contains an extensive list of novels, films, plays,and television programs that fall squarely into this particular genre.""Public Library of Science: In 2003, the Public Library of Science (PLOS) began a rather ambitious and most welcome project that would effectively offer unlimited access to the latest scientific research by creating a number of high-quality, open access journals. The first journal, PLOS Biology was launched three years ago, and since then, PLOS has created several additional journals dealing withmedicine, computational biology, and genetics. Visitors should feel free to browse through back issues of each journal, and download various articles that might be of interest. Along with access to these peer-edited journals, users should also take a look at their 'News & Events' area, which contains information about upcoming conferences and events sponsored by PLOS and other scientific organizations and professional groups."
Discovery in Turkey may hold clue to human evolution: Family may provide evolution clue
Walking on all fours with the ancestors
Family Walks on all Fours, May Offer Evolution Insight, Experts Say
Becoming Human: Paleoanthropology, Evolution and Human Origins
Understanding Evolution
The Paleoanthropology Society
"Over the past few years, a group of scholars from a number of institutions(including the London School of Economics) have been researching a ratherunusual family living in Turkey. Based on their observations, it wouldappear that all five siblings in this family walk on all fours almostexclusively as a form of ambulation. The family may in fact reveal important information about how previous hominids made the transition from four-legged to two-legged animals. All of the siblings appear to have been born with a form of brain damage, which affects both balance and coordination. Professor Humphrey from the London School of Economics has noted that these siblings put their weight on the wrists as they move about, as opposed to chimpanzees and gorillas, who walk on their knuckles. Humphrey also remarked that, 'These kids have kept their fingers very agile, for example, the girls in the family can do crochet and embroidery.' Scientists continue to study the family as they may represent an important step in the transition to bipedalism utilized by modern-day humans.
The first link will take users to a news story from the BBC that talks about the recent research on this family in Turkey. The second link leads to another piece of reporting from The Times, which discusses the cultural and genetic influences, which may have played a role in this family’s particular adaptation. The third link leads to a very good piece from the National Geographic online news service, which also contains links to a number of evolution-related stories. The fourth link whisks users to a fine site, which provides an interactive introduction to the nature of paleoanthropology, offered by Arizona State University. The fifth link leads to a site that provides high-quality information about evolution. Designed by a team of scholars at the University of California-Berkeley, visitors can peruse this site to learn about evidence for evolution and the impact of evolution more generally. The final link leads to the homepage of The Paleoanthropology Society, where visitors can learn about their work and also peruse back issues of their fine journal."
posted by Michelle at 8:31 AM 1 comments
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
FYI: Martha Ballard, Midwifery and Herbal Medicine
Midwifery and Herbal MedicineMartha Ballard and a "Man-Midwife""There are still 18th-century buildings standing in Hallowell, Maine, such as Old Fort Western. With the Martha Ballard Walking Tour you can take a virtual tour of the town, complete with maps and pictures, or print it to take a real walking tour."
posted by Michelle at 11:41 AM 0 comments
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Midterm Question!
Well, turns out that there are a number of ways in which this city is kinda irritating. Not least of which is, oddly enough, that I had difficulty accessing internet at a technology workshop here. Go figure...Anyway, it's my firm belief that when such snafus happen, students certainly shouldn't be the ones penalized for them! That's why I'll be glad to give you all until 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 12th (via email, or you can hand it in by Friday before at 4 pm in hard copy to the Faculty Secretaries) to answer the following question (and if there's still even a scheduling problem about you being about to meet this deadline - since it's been adjusted - let me know as soon as you can before the deadline and we'll see what we can work out!!)As always, please contact me if you have any questions (but be warned that SJC's remote email access seems to be going up and down, so please don't panic if you don't hear back from me immediately!) See you at the normal place and time on Monday!!INSTRUCTIONS: Please answer the following (yes, it's just one essay!) in no more than 5 pages, typewritten, doublespaced with 12 point font and 1 inch margins... Remember to use both primary and secondary sources in your response!Explain the macrocosmic/microcosmic paradigm that characterized science and medicine before the Scientific Revolution, and give specific examples of the major ways it appeared in scientific and medical primary sources of the time. In what specific ways and why would (pick three) Copernicus, Galileo, Vesalius and/or Paracelsus challenge this paradigm in their writings? And in what specific ways did some of their writings actually uphold the old paradigm, and why would they have wanted to do so, do you think?
posted by Michelle at 2:07 PM 1 comments
Monday, February 27, 2006
Monumentaluhren
Monumentaluhren
posted by Michelle at 11:48 AM 1 comments
Zodiac Man
Zodiac Man
posted by Michelle at 11:47 AM 0 comments
Borelli's Man-As-Machine
Borelli's Man-As-Machine
posted by Michelle at 11:45 AM 0 comments
Torre dell'Orologio
OROLOGIO 01
posted by Michelle at 11:43 AM 0 comments
Newsflash: It could be the head of Nicolaus Copernicus!
" It could be the head of Nicolaus Copernicus"
posted by Michelle at 5:06 AM 0 comments
Friday, February 17, 2006
FYI: Forensic Science
The Panopticon: Visible Proofs
posted by Michelle at 9:13 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Tour of University of Padua
Tour of University of Padua
posted by Michelle at 11:50 AM 0 comments
Historical Anatomies on the Web
Historical Anatomies on the Web
posted by Michelle at 11:49 AM 0 comments
Friday, February 10, 2006
FYI: Folk Medicine Database
UCLA Folkmed Database - Search Page
posted by Michelle at 6:44 AM 0 comments
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Galileo dissing the pope? You make the call!
"In an undated record of a conversation between Galileo and Urban VIII, the latter's Papal theologian, Agostino Oregio, explained that, having allowed all the arguments that Galileo had brought to bear on the question, the Pope
asked him at the end whether God could not have the power and wisdom to dispose and move in another way the orbs and the stars and all that is seen in the sky and all that is said of the motions, order, location, distance and disposition of the stars... Because if God knew how and had the power to dispose all of this in another way than that which has been thought—in such wise as to save all that has been said—we cannot limit the divine power and wisdom to this way. (quoted by Fantoli, op cit, 322)In response, said Oregio, 'that most learned man [Galileo] remained silent.' According to Urban VIII, then, astronomy must remain an instrumental science: if more than one system can save the appearances, or if there is no reason why other, currently unknown systems may not do likewise, we should view them as calculating devices or tools of prediction and not speak of their truth. "
(from Paul Newell, The Galileo Affair)
"Galileo rejected Kepler's explanation that the tides are caused by the moon's attraction. Again a willingness to study Kepler might have saved him embarrassment. But he was captivated by the necessity of finding a physical proof and he convinced himself that he had it in [his] tidal theory. As far as his readers were concerned, Galileo's explanation of the tides was even less tenable than the Copernican system itself...Though he tried, Galileo did not prove that the earth moves. He did succeed in showing that it is not impossible for the earth to move; his arguments against the objections to such motion were, in general, quite valid. This in itself was a great accomplishment, enough in fact to merit the Dialogue an important position in the history of science... As it was, he had again committed himself to his theory as though it were fact and tried to convert his suspecting, conservative, but not totally ignorant contemporaries. True, he did insert a submission clause at the end of the book. It was [Pope] Urban [VIII's] maxim that God could have established the universe in such a way that man could never discover its secrets and therefore to hold one system as certain would be to put limitations on the power and wisdom of God. But Galileo had the objection spoken by the poor Aristotelian, Simplicio, who had been buffetted about during the entire four-day discussion:
As to the discourses we have held, and especially this last one concerning the reasons for the ebbing and flowing of the ocean, I am really not entirely convinced; but from such feeble ideas of the matter as I have formed, I admit that your thoughts seem to me more ingenious that many others I have heard. I do not therefore consider them true and conclusive; indeed, keeping always before my mind's eye a most solid doctrine that I once heard from a most eminent and learned person, and before which one must fall silent, I know that if asked whether God in His infinite power and wisdom could have conferred upon the watery element its observed reciprocating motion using some other means than moving its containing vessels, both of you would reply that He could have, and that He would have known how to do this in many ways which are unthinkable to our minds. From this I forthwith conclude that, this being so, it would be excessive boldness for anyone to limit and restrict the divine power and wisdom to some particular fancy of his own.
It does not help matters any that Salviati answers:
An admirable and angelic doctrine, and well in accord with another one, also divine, which, while it grants to us the right to argue about the constitution of the universe (perhaps in order that the working of the human mind shall not be curtailed or made lazy), adds that we cannot discover the work of His hands. Let us, then, exercise these activities permitted to us and ordained by God, that we may recognize and thereby so much the more admire His greatness, however much less fit we may find ourselves to penetrate the profound depths of His infinite wisdom.
Coming as it did at the conclusion of a strong stand for the Copernican system, this looked very much like an inane, futile, face-saving dodge of pietism which had to be used to escape the bonds of cold, hard logic. It stands in silent contradiction to the entire text."
(from Jerome L. Langford, Galileo, Science and the Church, 127-29;
left, title page of the original edition of the Dialogues from the Galilean Library;
and right, image of this actual excerpt from the Univ. of OK History of Science department!)
posted by Michelle at 11:04 AM 0 comments
FYI - Open-source music library app MetaFilter
Open-source music library app MetaFilter
posted by Michelle at 4:48 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
FYI - "Evolution Sunday"
linkfilter.net - Evolution Sunday!
posted by Michelle at 12:25 PM 0 comments
FYI - "Heliocentrism Day!"
linkfilter.net - Heliocentrism Day
posted by Michelle at 12:23 PM 0 comments
Monday, February 06, 2006
WikiProject History of Science
Hmmm... Sounds like a possibility!! :-)
---------------------H-Sci-Med-Tech:List members with concerns about or active interest in Wikipedia may be interested in WikiProject History of Science, an effort to organize and improve the history of science, technology and medicine content on Wikipedia.A small number of historians of science are already active editors on Wikipedia, but there is much more work to do.Project page:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_History_of_ScienceShare your thoughts on the discussion page:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_History_of_ScienceAs Wikipedia becomes more sophisticated, undergraduates will increasingly rely on it as a starting point (and ideally only a starting point, but often more) for writing papers. So even if you have no desire to contribute to Wikipedia, it pays as an historian to familiarize yourself with it.At least one historian (T. Mills Kelly) has begun to use Wikipedia as the focus of assignments, having students correct shoddy articles or write new ones. As you might expect, students gained more of an appreciation of the potential pitfalls of using Wikipedia as a source after trying their hands at editing material with which they were familiar.See Kelly's blog:http://chnm.gmu.edu/history/faculty/kelly/blogs/edwired/archives/2005/12/whither_wiki.htmlI think Wikipedia has the potential to be an extremely effective way to promote our discipline, especially by the creation of many high quality ("Feature" quality) articles, which can be promoted on the main page (and and thus read by thousands of people).Sincerely,Sage RossGraduate StudentYale UniversityProgram in History of Medicine and Science
posted by Michelle at 2:41 PM 1 comments
FYI: Writings by Giordano Bruno
Giordano Bruno: The Heroic Frenzies ('De Gli Eroici Furori')
posted by Michelle at 1:43 PM 0 comments
Galileo on the Moon!
Video of Galileo's falling objects' experiment conducted on the moon!
posted by Michelle at 11:18 AM 0 comments
Ms. 72 di Galileo / Ingresso - Entry
View Galileo's actual manuscript Ms. Gal. 72 containing drafts (texts, drawings, and calculations) mostly pertaining to the theorems on motion...Ms. 72 di Galileo
posted by Michelle at 11:04 AM 0 comments
Assignment for 2/8: The Crime of Galileo: Indictment and Abjuration of 1633
Modern History Sourcebook: The Crime of Galileo: Indictment and Abjuration of 1633
posted by Michelle at 11:00 AM 2 comments
FYI: The Galileo Project
The Galileo Project
posted by Michelle at 10:58 AM 0 comments
FYI: Supporters say DNA bill not just about Dechaine
Supporters say DNA bill not just about DechaineScience and the Law
posted by Dale J. Brooker at 4:15 AM 0 comments
Friday, February 03, 2006
FYI: Students to Track Discarded Spacesuit - Yahoo! News
Students to Track Discarded Spacesuit - Yahoo! News
posted by Michelle at 1:04 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
For 2/1: Geocentric, Heliocentric & Geoheliocentric...
Diagram of Ptolemaic conception of the universe
Diagram of Copernican conception of the universe
Diagram of Tychonic conception of the universe
(from TychoBrahe.com)
posted by Michelle at 8:30 AM 0 comments
For 2/1: The medieval universe
More explanations of the medieval universe...
posted by Michelle at 8:22 AM 0 comments
For 2/1: Retrograde Motion Animation
Retrograde Motion
posted by Michelle at 8:17 AM 1 comments
For 2/1: Epicycle animation
epicycle
posted by Michelle at 8:13 AM 0 comments
FYI: "A Unique Perspective into the Realm of Historical Asylums and State Hospitals"
"Forgotten Photography provides a photographic journey through some of our nation's historical asylums and state hospitals. In the 1800's these elegant asylums and state hospitals were intended to be the first step towards the humane treatment of the mentally ill. These once lavish buildings now stand empty, a hollow shell of what was once the best mankind could offer for an illness he didn't understand and couldn’t cure..."
posted by Michelle at 5:16 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Extra-Credit Opportunity!
Watch the following program on Feb. 2 on the History Channel, and post an analytical comment or reaction to the program on the blog!
8-9pm -- Ancient Marvels - Ancient Discoveries: Galen, Doctor to the Gladiators. In this fascinating series, we examine ancientinventions once believed to have been created inmodern times, and test the wits of ancient inventorsagainst some of the world's great modern inventors. Part 2 uncovers the revolutionary work of Galen, the great Roman doctor to the gladiators, who was performing brain surgery 2,000 years ahead of his time. We also explore the sophistication of Roman medicine and compare it to modern techniques.
posted by Michelle at 2:56 PM 1 comments
Monday, January 30, 2006
Hi!
Hi, My name is Allison and I'm a Junior Psychology major. After I graduate from Saint Joe's I plan on getting a degree in nursing and working as a psychiatric nurse. I'm interested in all sorts of things and history is one of them, this is why I took the class.
posted by Allison at 8:21 AM 0 comments
Saturday, January 28, 2006
UPDATED:Assignment Calendar for February
Note: the following schedule is subject to change with notification...Wednesday, February 1 - Copernicus and his “Revolution”?Reading Assignment:
Shapin, Chap. 1, pp. 15-30;
Science in Europe, Sections 2.1 & 2.2 & 3.3 - 3.5
Monday & Wednesday, February 6 & 8 - Galileo & the Heliocentric System
Reading Assignment:
Science in Europe, Section 2.2, 3.3-3.5 and Chapter 4.
Monday, February 13 - Science, Medicine & Religion
Reading Assignment:
Shapin, pp. 65-80;
Healing Arts, Chapter 4;
Health, Disease and Society, Part 4.
Wednesday, February 15 - Medical Renaissance of the Sixteenth Century
Reading Assignment:
Science in Europe, Sections 2.3;
Healing Arts, Chapter 3;
Health, Disease and Society, Part 3;
"The Italian Patient"
Monday, February 20 - Presidents' Day break - NO CLASS!
Wednesday, February 22 - Prof away at conference - NO CLASS!
Monday, February 27 - The Natural Machine & Early-Modern Medical Practitioners
Reading Assignment:
Shapin, pp. 30-46;
Healing Arts, Chapter 7;
Health, Disease and Society, Part 7.
Healing Arts, Chapter 2;
Health, Disease and Society, Part 2.
posted by Michelle at 1:36 PM 0 comments
Previous Posts
History of Science Essay Contest!
Take Home Final Essay Exam and In-Class Presentati...
FYI- re: Gender in the Scientific Revolution
Re: the article about Harvey
FYI - Los Angeles woman hospitalized with bubonic ...
Star Wars Fun!
Re: Alchemy... Pottery points to monks' quest to c...
Read for 4/24: "Fibonacci Flim-Flam"
Newton's Three Laws of Motion
Question... Want to see the Star Wars exhibit at M...
Archives
January 2006
February 2006
March 2006
April 2006
May 2006
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Put simply… for every attempt that modern Western man may make to understand himself and make himself known to others… nothing is more essential than an understanding of science as it has developed in history (R.C. Olby, et al., "Preface," Companion to the History of Modern Science).
History of Science & Medicine @ SJC
Friday, May 05, 2006
History of Science Essay Contest!
To celebrate the rebranding of the British Society for the History of Science website and the foundation of the Outreach and Education Committee, the BSHS is proud to announce a new competition. We are offering a prize of £250 for the best 500-word answer to this question:WHY SHOULD ANYONE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE?The prize may be split between two entries if the judges decide that they are both of high merit. The winning entry will be made available on the BSHS website. Essays should be written for a general audience; footnotes should be avoided. Entries which are accompanied by one or more images (not exceeding 200KB in memory size), on which there are no copyright restrictions, are especially welcome. The competition is open to non-members of the Society, but only one entry per person may be made, and all entrants must be aged 18 or older. Anyone wishing to submit essays should contact outreach@bshs.org.ukto be given an entry identification number, before any essay is sent. This will permit essays to be assessed anonymously. The closing date for submission is 31st August 2006. The winner will beannounced, and the prize awarded, by the end of October 2006.
posted by Michelle at 2:00 PM 0 comments
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Take Home Final Essay Exam and In-Class Presentations
Well, gang, I'm still sick... so we have to rearrange our calendar a bit.We'll do our in-class presentations during the time scheduled for our final exam, Monday, May 8th at 2:45 pm.As a result, our final essay exam will have to be all take-home. But I'll accept your responses until 11:59 pm on Wednesday, May 10th via email (and sooner, if you'd like to hand them in in hard copy, you may do so during business hours to the Faculty Secretary...)So, without further adieu, here are the final exam questions!INSTRUCTIONS: Please answer the following two essays in no more than 5 pages each, typewritten, doublespaced with 12 point font and 1 inch margins... Remember to use both primary and secondary sources in your response!There's an old joke about a quiz which goes, "The Industrial Revolution was neither industrial nor a revolution. Discuss." And I'd be tempted to ask you the same thing about the Scientific Revolution... But let's try asking it in a way which doesn't seem so sinister! :-)1) What was the scientific and medical paradigm which was prevalent before the Scientific Revolution, and what were the various ways in which that changed over the course of the Scientific Revolution? Being sure to use primary sources, address in what specific ways and why would (pick one) a) Scientific Societies or b) Isaac Newton epitomize the new scientific methods advocated in the Scientific Revolution. And in what specific ways did some of their writings actually uphold the old paradigm, and why, do you think?2) Gender has been an ongoing theme in our class. How did the scientists and physicians of the Scientific Revolution tend to react to issues of gender, both from the perspective of women as practitioners and from that of women as scientific subjects or patients? (Remember to utilize both primary and secondary sources!)
posted by Michelle at 12:29 PM 0 comments
Thursday, April 27, 2006
FYI- re: Gender in the Scientific Revolution
Financial Times.com / Books - Sex, under the microscope(from the Chronicle of Higher Education's Art & Letters Daily)
posted by Michelle at 8:30 AM 0 comments
Monday, April 24, 2006
Re: the article about Harvey
What was going on in the historical background...English Civil War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
posted by Michelle at 11:49 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
FYI - Los Angeles woman hospitalized with bubonic plague
Yikes!!USATODAY.com - Los Angeles woman hospitalized with bubonic plague
posted by Michelle at 6:20 PM 0 comments
Star Wars Fun!
Funny news from the dark side with the "Imperial News Network"!The Emperor is on the hunt for a new job with a temp agency: Watch the Video!"The media bias against Imperial government": Watch the Video!
posted by Michelle at 6:15 PM 0 comments
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Re: Alchemy... Pottery points to monks' quest to create gold
Mirabilis.ca: Pottery points to monks' quest to create gold
posted by Michelle at 6:09 PM 0 comments
Read for 4/24: "Fibonacci Flim-Flam"
Fibonacci Flim-Flam.
posted by Michelle at 7:42 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Newton's Three Laws of Motion
Newton's Three Laws of Motion
posted by Michelle at 11:51 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Question... Want to see the Star Wars exhibit at MoS?
Hey, ya'll... The tickets to see the IMAX of the Amazon will be $4 for each of you. Would you want to also pay an additional $5 each to be able to enter this exhibition?? Let me know!!Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination
posted by Michelle at 1:23 PM 0 comments
Monday, April 10, 2006
REVISED Schedule for April
Monday, April 3: Magic, the Occult and the Scientific RevolutionReading Assignment:
Science in Europe, 7.1 (originally scheduled last Wed.)
Science in Europe, Chap. 6 & Section 8.7;
Mary Quinlan-McGrath, “The Foundation Horoscope(s) for St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, 1506: Choosing a Time, Changing the Storia,” Isis, Vol. 92 (2001), only pp. 716-726, 731-733, and 739-741. (This article is available outside my office for anybody not in class... hint hint!)
Monday, April 10: Scientific Societies & the “Production” of Scientific KnowledgeReading Assignment:
Shapin, 96-109;
Science in Europe, Chap. 9;
Peter Dear, “Totius in Verba: Rhetoric and Authority in the Early Royal Society,” in Isis, Vol. 76 (1985), pp. 144-161;
J. V. Golinski, “A Noble Spectacle: Phosphorus and the Public Cultures of Science in the Early Royal Society,” in Isis, Vol. 80 (1989), pp. 11-39.
Wednesday, April 12: Newton and His Synthesis
Reading Assignment:
Shapin, 57-64 & 109-117;
Science in Europe, Chap. 10;
Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727): Optics, excerpts;
B. J. T. Dobbs, “Newton's Alchemy and His Theory of Matter,” in Isis, Vol. 73 (1982), pp. 511-528
Monday, April 17: Easter Monday - NO CLASS!
Wednesday, April 19: Field Trip to Boston's Museum of Science (meet at 10am in front of Alfond Center!)
Monday, April 24: The (Non-Scientific?) "Uses" of Science Reading Assignment:
Shapin, Chap. 3;
Christopher Hill, “William Harvey and the Idea of Monarchy,” in The Intellectual Revolution of the Seventeenth Century, ed. Charles Webster (London: Routledge & Kegan, 1974), 160-81.
Wednesday, April 26: Women & Gender in Early-Modern Science & Medicine
Reading Assignment:
The Healing Arts, Chap.2.4; Chap. 8;
Health, Disease & Society, 2.2-2.3; 6.7; Chap. 8
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689-1762), “Smallpox Vaccination in Turkey”
Monday, May 1: Eighteenth- & Nineteenth-Century Science: Towards Positivism and the "Cult of Progress"
Reading Assignment:
Science in Europe, 12.1, 14.1, 15.4; and Chap. 16;
Charles Darwin (1809-1882), “On the Origins of Species,”
Reaction to Darwin;
Social Darwinism: Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)
Wednesday, May 3: In-Class presentations
Monday, May 8, 2006 at 2:45PM in Alfond Hall 230: In-Class presentations!
(Have a great summer!!)
posted by Michelle at 3:01 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
FYI: "9,000-Year-Old Dental Drill Is Found - Yahoo! News"
9,000-Year-Old Dental Drill Is Found - Yahoo! News
posted by Michelle at 6:53 PM 0 comments
FYI: Biopharm Leeches - Suppliers of Medicinal Leeches Since 1812
Biopharm Leeches - Suppliers of Medicinal Leeches Since 1812!
posted by Michelle at 6:25 PM 0 comments
NPR : Thinkers Lay Out the Beliefs They Can't Prove
NPR : Thinkers Lay Out the Beliefs They Can't Prove
posted by Michelle at 7:12 AM 0 comments
A discussion about Science in the Age of Certainty on April 12th
A discussion about Science in the Age of Certainty
posted by Michelle at 7:10 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
FYI: Fun astronomy classes at the Portland Planetarium!
Southworth Planetarium University of Southern Maine
posted by Michelle at 1:25 PM 0 comments
Rene' Descartes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rene' Descartes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
posted by Michelle at 11:36 AM 0 comments
Mechanism (philosophy) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mechanism (philosophy) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
posted by Michelle at 11:34 AM 0 comments
Rob: Hot off the Presses about the telescope!!
Amazon.com: Galileo's Instruments of Credit : Telescopes, Images, Secrecy: Books: Mario BiagioliAmazon.com: Stargazer: The Life and Times of the Telescope: Books: Fred Watson
posted by Michelle at 11:29 AM 1 comments
Monday, March 27, 2006
Extra-Credit Opportunity!!
Amanda Gaeb (Class of 2009), Salem Witch Trial reenactmentBelieve it or not, the actual court transcripts and other trial documents for Salem still survive! Come see firsthand what the Salem Witch Trials were like… (Amanda, by the way, is actually a descendant of an accused witch from another series of witch trials in Colonial Massachusetts, and she will be discussing also her colorful family history!)
Dr. Michelle A. Laughran (History) “Who’s the Witch? Witchcraft & Witch Trials in Early-Modern History.” Salem may be the most famous, but it was not the only incidence of witch trials after the Renaissance. Thousands of people would wind up being tried for witchcraft all over Europe and the settlements in the New World. What did people at the time think witches and witchcraft were like, and how did they go about hunting down witches?
Dr. Dale J. Brooker (Sociology), “Examining the Salem Witch Trials using one’s Sociological Imagination: Constructions of Deviance and Community Boundaries in 17th century New England” When Kai Erikson wrote The Wayward Puritans in 1966, he envisioned the Salem Witch Trials as a social experience, one that was deeply rooted in the Puritan culture of 17th century Massachusetts. In his analysis he provides readers with a picture that portrays a world in which community boundaries are constructed around various perceived threats to the community. This paper focuses on the sociological analysis of the Salem settlement with a focus on the witch trials as not only a functional component to ensure social cohesion, but also as an attempt to construct and place labels upon those in the community who were seen as outside the boundaries of what a “good and whole” Puritan settlement should be like.
Dr. Beth Auger (Biology), "Blame it on Ergot?"Among the potential factors leading to the witchcraft hysteria in Salem is the possible presence of ergot in and on the grain crops stored by the colonists. Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) produces LSD and related hallucinogenic compounds; these compounds have been observed to cause symptoms similar to those noted in the residents of Salem during the time of the Witchcraft Trials. We will examine the biology of ergot and similar chemicals and discuss the likelihood for the invo
posted by Michelle at 11:52 AM 0 comments
Theriacum Andromachi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
One example of a recipe for theriac...Theriacum Andromachi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
posted by Michelle at 9:58 AM 0 comments
Saturday, March 25, 2006
FYI... From this week's "Internet Scout Report"
The Deadly Virus: The Influenza Epidemic of 1918The history of human civilizations is rife with disastrous epidemics and plagues, a fact that is sometimes lost on modern-day pundits and commentators. Fortunately, the National Archives hasn’t forgotten about one of history’s more recent tragedies, namely the influenza epidemic of 1918. They recently created this engaging and fascinating collection of documents and photographs that offer a first-hand perspective on this epidemic. All told, the collection offered here contains several dozen primary source materials, including a directive from the Navy in order to educate sailors about the health risks of the disease and a photograph of Seattle police officers clad in protective face masks. One special feature of the site is that visitors can also order copies of the documents, if they are so inclined. Overall, this is a well-designed site that offers a glimpse of theAmerican perspective on this rampant epidemic which eventually killed 20 million people across the world. [KMG]
posted by Michelle at 6:57 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Assignment Calendar for March
Wednesday, March 22:Reading Assignment:
Laughran, "Professionalization of the Apothecary..."
Shapin, pp. 81-89Monday, March 27: Francis Bacon and the Origins of Scientific MethodReading Assignment:
Shapin, 89-96
Science in Europe, 8.3Wednesday, March 29: The Scientific Method of Rene' DescartesReading Assignment:
Shapin, 47-64
Science in Europe, 7.1
posted by Michelle at 12:09 PM 0 comments
Monday, March 20, 2006
Midterm Receipts (update)
This announcement was supposed to be posted also on my other two course blogs... I don't know why it didn't stick.Anyway, here it is again... The Capstone: Midterm Receipts (update)
posted by Michelle at 8:19 PM 0 comments
Friday, March 10, 2006
FYI: Science lit links from this week's "Internet Scout Report"
"LabLit.com - The Culture of Science in Fiction & Fact: Some might be asking themselves: 'What is LabLit?' LabLit.com is '…dedicated to real laboratory culture and to the portrayal and perceptions of that culture-science, scientists and labs-in fiction, the media and across popular culture.' Edited by the researcher Jennifer Rohn, the site contains a cornucopia of material ranging from humor pieces about laboratory life and culture, interviews with scientists and novelists, and a number of surveys and quizzes. From the homepage, visitors can delve right into some of these materials, which also include a number of online forums where lively debates take place on topics such as the perception of science on television and the stereotypes about those working in the field. The site is rounded out by the'Lab Lit List', which contains an extensive list of novels, films, plays,and television programs that fall squarely into this particular genre.""Public Library of Science: In 2003, the Public Library of Science (PLOS) began a rather ambitious and most welcome project that would effectively offer unlimited access to the latest scientific research by creating a number of high-quality, open access journals. The first journal, PLOS Biology was launched three years ago, and since then, PLOS has created several additional journals dealing withmedicine, computational biology, and genetics. Visitors should feel free to browse through back issues of each journal, and download various articles that might be of interest. Along with access to these peer-edited journals, users should also take a look at their 'News & Events' area, which contains information about upcoming conferences and events sponsored by PLOS and other scientific organizations and professional groups."
Discovery in Turkey may hold clue to human evolution: Family may provide evolution clue
Walking on all fours with the ancestors
Family Walks on all Fours, May Offer Evolution Insight, Experts Say
Becoming Human: Paleoanthropology, Evolution and Human Origins
Understanding Evolution
The Paleoanthropology Society
"Over the past few years, a group of scholars from a number of institutions(including the London School of Economics) have been researching a ratherunusual family living in Turkey. Based on their observations, it wouldappear that all five siblings in this family walk on all fours almostexclusively as a form of ambulation. The family may in fact reveal important information about how previous hominids made the transition from four-legged to two-legged animals. All of the siblings appear to have been born with a form of brain damage, which affects both balance and coordination. Professor Humphrey from the London School of Economics has noted that these siblings put their weight on the wrists as they move about, as opposed to chimpanzees and gorillas, who walk on their knuckles. Humphrey also remarked that, 'These kids have kept their fingers very agile, for example, the girls in the family can do crochet and embroidery.' Scientists continue to study the family as they may represent an important step in the transition to bipedalism utilized by modern-day humans.
The first link will take users to a news story from the BBC that talks about the recent research on this family in Turkey. The second link leads to another piece of reporting from The Times, which discusses the cultural and genetic influences, which may have played a role in this family’s particular adaptation. The third link leads to a very good piece from the National Geographic online news service, which also contains links to a number of evolution-related stories. The fourth link whisks users to a fine site, which provides an interactive introduction to the nature of paleoanthropology, offered by Arizona State University. The fifth link leads to a site that provides high-quality information about evolution. Designed by a team of scholars at the University of California-Berkeley, visitors can peruse this site to learn about evidence for evolution and the impact of evolution more generally. The final link leads to the homepage of The Paleoanthropology Society, where visitors can learn about their work and also peruse back issues of their fine journal."
posted by Michelle at 8:31 AM 1 comments
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
FYI: Martha Ballard, Midwifery and Herbal Medicine
Midwifery and Herbal MedicineMartha Ballard and a "Man-Midwife""There are still 18th-century buildings standing in Hallowell, Maine, such as Old Fort Western. With the Martha Ballard Walking Tour you can take a virtual tour of the town, complete with maps and pictures, or print it to take a real walking tour."
posted by Michelle at 11:41 AM 0 comments
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Midterm Question!
Well, turns out that there are a number of ways in which this city is kinda irritating. Not least of which is, oddly enough, that I had difficulty accessing internet at a technology workshop here. Go figure...Anyway, it's my firm belief that when such snafus happen, students certainly shouldn't be the ones penalized for them! That's why I'll be glad to give you all until 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 12th (via email, or you can hand it in by Friday before at 4 pm in hard copy to the Faculty Secretaries) to answer the following question (and if there's still even a scheduling problem about you being about to meet this deadline - since it's been adjusted - let me know as soon as you can before the deadline and we'll see what we can work out!!)As always, please contact me if you have any questions (but be warned that SJC's remote email access seems to be going up and down, so please don't panic if you don't hear back from me immediately!) See you at the normal place and time on Monday!!INSTRUCTIONS: Please answer the following (yes, it's just one essay!) in no more than 5 pages, typewritten, doublespaced with 12 point font and 1 inch margins... Remember to use both primary and secondary sources in your response!Explain the macrocosmic/microcosmic paradigm that characterized science and medicine before the Scientific Revolution, and give specific examples of the major ways it appeared in scientific and medical primary sources of the time. In what specific ways and why would (pick three) Copernicus, Galileo, Vesalius and/or Paracelsus challenge this paradigm in their writings? And in what specific ways did some of their writings actually uphold the old paradigm, and why would they have wanted to do so, do you think?
posted by Michelle at 2:07 PM 1 comments
Monday, February 27, 2006
Monumentaluhren
Monumentaluhren
posted by Michelle at 11:48 AM 1 comments
Zodiac Man
Zodiac Man
posted by Michelle at 11:47 AM 0 comments
Borelli's Man-As-Machine
Borelli's Man-As-Machine
posted by Michelle at 11:45 AM 0 comments
Torre dell'Orologio
OROLOGIO 01
posted by Michelle at 11:43 AM 0 comments
Newsflash: It could be the head of Nicolaus Copernicus!
" It could be the head of Nicolaus Copernicus"
posted by Michelle at 5:06 AM 0 comments
Friday, February 17, 2006
FYI: Forensic Science
The Panopticon: Visible Proofs
posted by Michelle at 9:13 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Tour of University of Padua
Tour of University of Padua
posted by Michelle at 11:50 AM 0 comments
Historical Anatomies on the Web
Historical Anatomies on the Web
posted by Michelle at 11:49 AM 0 comments
Friday, February 10, 2006
FYI: Folk Medicine Database
UCLA Folkmed Database - Search Page
posted by Michelle at 6:44 AM 0 comments
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Galileo dissing the pope? You make the call!
"In an undated record of a conversation between Galileo and Urban VIII, the latter's Papal theologian, Agostino Oregio, explained that, having allowed all the arguments that Galileo had brought to bear on the question, the Pope
asked him at the end whether God could not have the power and wisdom to dispose and move in another way the orbs and the stars and all that is seen in the sky and all that is said of the motions, order, location, distance and disposition of the stars... Because if God knew how and had the power to dispose all of this in another way than that which has been thought—in such wise as to save all that has been said—we cannot limit the divine power and wisdom to this way. (quoted by Fantoli, op cit, 322)In response, said Oregio, 'that most learned man [Galileo] remained silent.' According to Urban VIII, then, astronomy must remain an instrumental science: if more than one system can save the appearances, or if there is no reason why other, currently unknown systems may not do likewise, we should view them as calculating devices or tools of prediction and not speak of their truth. "
(from Paul Newell, The Galileo Affair)
"Galileo rejected Kepler's explanation that the tides are caused by the moon's attraction. Again a willingness to study Kepler might have saved him embarrassment. But he was captivated by the necessity of finding a physical proof and he convinced himself that he had it in [his] tidal theory. As far as his readers were concerned, Galileo's explanation of the tides was even less tenable than the Copernican system itself...Though he tried, Galileo did not prove that the earth moves. He did succeed in showing that it is not impossible for the earth to move; his arguments against the objections to such motion were, in general, quite valid. This in itself was a great accomplishment, enough in fact to merit the Dialogue an important position in the history of science... As it was, he had again committed himself to his theory as though it were fact and tried to convert his suspecting, conservative, but not totally ignorant contemporaries. True, he did insert a submission clause at the end of the book. It was [Pope] Urban [VIII's] maxim that God could have established the universe in such a way that man could never discover its secrets and therefore to hold one system as certain would be to put limitations on the power and wisdom of God. But Galileo had the objection spoken by the poor Aristotelian, Simplicio, who had been buffetted about during the entire four-day discussion:
As to the discourses we have held, and especially this last one concerning the reasons for the ebbing and flowing of the ocean, I am really not entirely convinced; but from such feeble ideas of the matter as I have formed, I admit that your thoughts seem to me more ingenious that many others I have heard. I do not therefore consider them true and conclusive; indeed, keeping always before my mind's eye a most solid doctrine that I once heard from a most eminent and learned person, and before which one must fall silent, I know that if asked whether God in His infinite power and wisdom could have conferred upon the watery element its observed reciprocating motion using some other means than moving its containing vessels, both of you would reply that He could have, and that He would have known how to do this in many ways which are unthinkable to our minds. From this I forthwith conclude that, this being so, it would be excessive boldness for anyone to limit and restrict the divine power and wisdom to some particular fancy of his own.
It does not help matters any that Salviati answers:
An admirable and angelic doctrine, and well in accord with another one, also divine, which, while it grants to us the right to argue about the constitution of the universe (perhaps in order that the working of the human mind shall not be curtailed or made lazy), adds that we cannot discover the work of His hands. Let us, then, exercise these activities permitted to us and ordained by God, that we may recognize and thereby so much the more admire His greatness, however much less fit we may find ourselves to penetrate the profound depths of His infinite wisdom.
Coming as it did at the conclusion of a strong stand for the Copernican system, this looked very much like an inane, futile, face-saving dodge of pietism which had to be used to escape the bonds of cold, hard logic. It stands in silent contradiction to the entire text."
(from Jerome L. Langford, Galileo, Science and the Church, 127-29;
left, title page of the original edition of the Dialogues from the Galilean Library;
and right, image of this actual excerpt from the Univ. of OK History of Science department!)
posted by Michelle at 11:04 AM 0 comments
FYI - Open-source music library app MetaFilter
Open-source music library app MetaFilter
posted by Michelle at 4:48 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
FYI - "Evolution Sunday"
linkfilter.net - Evolution Sunday!
posted by Michelle at 12:25 PM 0 comments
FYI - "Heliocentrism Day!"
linkfilter.net - Heliocentrism Day
posted by Michelle at 12:23 PM 0 comments
Monday, February 06, 2006
WikiProject History of Science
Hmmm... Sounds like a possibility!! :-)
---------------------H-Sci-Med-Tech:List members with concerns about or active interest in Wikipedia may be interested in WikiProject History of Science, an effort to organize and improve the history of science, technology and medicine content on Wikipedia.A small number of historians of science are already active editors on Wikipedia, but there is much more work to do.Project page:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_History_of_ScienceShare your thoughts on the discussion page:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_History_of_ScienceAs Wikipedia becomes more sophisticated, undergraduates will increasingly rely on it as a starting point (and ideally only a starting point, but often more) for writing papers. So even if you have no desire to contribute to Wikipedia, it pays as an historian to familiarize yourself with it.At least one historian (T. Mills Kelly) has begun to use Wikipedia as the focus of assignments, having students correct shoddy articles or write new ones. As you might expect, students gained more of an appreciation of the potential pitfalls of using Wikipedia as a source after trying their hands at editing material with which they were familiar.See Kelly's blog:http://chnm.gmu.edu/history/faculty/kelly/blogs/edwired/archives/2005/12/whither_wiki.htmlI think Wikipedia has the potential to be an extremely effective way to promote our discipline, especially by the creation of many high quality ("Feature" quality) articles, which can be promoted on the main page (and and thus read by thousands of people).Sincerely,Sage RossGraduate StudentYale UniversityProgram in History of Medicine and Science
posted by Michelle at 2:41 PM 1 comments
FYI: Writings by Giordano Bruno
Giordano Bruno: The Heroic Frenzies ('De Gli Eroici Furori')
posted by Michelle at 1:43 PM 0 comments
Galileo on the Moon!
Video of Galileo's falling objects' experiment conducted on the moon!
posted by Michelle at 11:18 AM 0 comments
Ms. 72 di Galileo / Ingresso - Entry
View Galileo's actual manuscript Ms. Gal. 72 containing drafts (texts, drawings, and calculations) mostly pertaining to the theorems on motion...Ms. 72 di Galileo
posted by Michelle at 11:04 AM 0 comments
Assignment for 2/8: The Crime of Galileo: Indictment and Abjuration of 1633
Modern History Sourcebook: The Crime of Galileo: Indictment and Abjuration of 1633
posted by Michelle at 11:00 AM 2 comments
FYI: The Galileo Project
The Galileo Project
posted by Michelle at 10:58 AM 0 comments
FYI: Supporters say DNA bill not just about Dechaine
Supporters say DNA bill not just about DechaineScience and the Law
posted by Dale J. Brooker at 4:15 AM 0 comments
Friday, February 03, 2006
FYI: Students to Track Discarded Spacesuit - Yahoo! News
Students to Track Discarded Spacesuit - Yahoo! News
posted by Michelle at 1:04 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
For 2/1: Geocentric, Heliocentric & Geoheliocentric...
Diagram of Ptolemaic conception of the universe
Diagram of Copernican conception of the universe
Diagram of Tychonic conception of the universe
(from TychoBrahe.com)
posted by Michelle at 8:30 AM 0 comments
For 2/1: The medieval universe
More explanations of the medieval universe...
posted by Michelle at 8:22 AM 0 comments
For 2/1: Retrograde Motion Animation
Retrograde Motion
posted by Michelle at 8:17 AM 1 comments
For 2/1: Epicycle animation
epicycle
posted by Michelle at 8:13 AM 0 comments
FYI: "A Unique Perspective into the Realm of Historical Asylums and State Hospitals"
"Forgotten Photography provides a photographic journey through some of our nation's historical asylums and state hospitals. In the 1800's these elegant asylums and state hospitals were intended to be the first step towards the humane treatment of the mentally ill. These once lavish buildings now stand empty, a hollow shell of what was once the best mankind could offer for an illness he didn't understand and couldn’t cure..."
posted by Michelle at 5:16 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Extra-Credit Opportunity!
Watch the following program on Feb. 2 on the History Channel, and post an analytical comment or reaction to the program on the blog!
8-9pm -- Ancient Marvels - Ancient Discoveries: Galen, Doctor to the Gladiators. In this fascinating series, we examine ancientinventions once believed to have been created inmodern times, and test the wits of ancient inventorsagainst some of the world's great modern inventors. Part 2 uncovers the revolutionary work of Galen, the great Roman doctor to the gladiators, who was performing brain surgery 2,000 years ahead of his time. We also explore the sophistication of Roman medicine and compare it to modern techniques.
posted by Michelle at 2:56 PM 1 comments
Monday, January 30, 2006
Hi!
Hi, My name is Allison and I'm a Junior Psychology major. After I graduate from Saint Joe's I plan on getting a degree in nursing and working as a psychiatric nurse. I'm interested in all sorts of things and history is one of them, this is why I took the class.
posted by Allison at 8:21 AM 0 comments
Saturday, January 28, 2006
UPDATED:Assignment Calendar for February
Note: the following schedule is subject to change with notification...Wednesday, February 1 - Copernicus and his “Revolution”?Reading Assignment:
Shapin, Chap. 1, pp. 15-30;
Science in Europe, Sections 2.1 & 2.2 & 3.3 - 3.5
Monday & Wednesday, February 6 & 8 - Galileo & the Heliocentric System
Reading Assignment:
Science in Europe, Section 2.2, 3.3-3.5 and Chapter 4.
Monday, February 13 - Science, Medicine & Religion
Reading Assignment:
Shapin, pp. 65-80;
Healing Arts, Chapter 4;
Health, Disease and Society, Part 4.
Wednesday, February 15 - Medical Renaissance of the Sixteenth Century
Reading Assignment:
Science in Europe, Sections 2.3;
Healing Arts, Chapter 3;
Health, Disease and Society, Part 3;
"The Italian Patient"
Monday, February 20 - Presidents' Day break - NO CLASS!
Wednesday, February 22 - Prof away at conference - NO CLASS!
Monday, February 27 - The Natural Machine & Early-Modern Medical Practitioners
Reading Assignment:
Shapin, pp. 30-46;
Healing Arts, Chapter 7;
Health, Disease and Society, Part 7.
Healing Arts, Chapter 2;
Health, Disease and Society, Part 2.
posted by Michelle at 1:36 PM 0 comments
Previous Posts
History of Science Essay Contest!
Take Home Final Essay Exam and In-Class Presentati...
FYI- re: Gender in the Scientific Revolution
Re: the article about Harvey
FYI - Los Angeles woman hospitalized with bubonic ...
Star Wars Fun!
Re: Alchemy... Pottery points to monks' quest to c...
Read for 4/24: "Fibonacci Flim-Flam"
Newton's Three Laws of Motion
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