What is the meaning of life, and what is time? How did we come to believe that the earth moves and that we descend from apes? Is there a threat from our technology? And where does religion stand in all of this?

NEW! The Minor in HOST

The HOST programme now offers a minor! This means it is easier than ever to choose from amongst our range of courses that suit your interests and meet your academic requirements. Read more >>
 

The History of Science and Technology Programme examines these and other fundamental questions by exploring crucial issues in our encounter with nature, reason and ourselves in the history of Western thought.

Science and technology are integral components of the development of knowledge, culture and society. They are also historically and philosophically significant in themselves. HOST offers an interdisciplinary study of science and nature in terms of their development, examining their mutual grounds, their legitimization, the development of methods and their spread and change over time.

The programme explores the big changes in scientific ideas—the revolutions that have happened in the past and are happening now—and our place in nature.

HOST is a programme designed for both students in the arts and humanities and students in the sciences. By bringing together historical, philosophical, sociological and methodological approaches to these major questions, HOST offers a truly interdisciplinary and critical space—a place where the two cultures of the modern university can meet and dialogue.

By offering a broad overview of the growth of science and technology and their cultural ramifications, the HOST programme provides a fully rounded undergraduate education, and a unique critical encounter with the issues and boundaries that make up our modern world. Along with other degree requirements, HOST students take three core classes, covering ancient and medieval science and nature, the scientific revolution, and the history of modern science. Complete course list >>

The HOST programme offers students the tools to take critical approaches to other disciplines and prepares them for specialized training at the graduate level in various fields of Arts and Sciences, including the burgeoning field of science and technology studies.

 Introduction to the History of Science (HSTC 1200)

If you want an introduction to the HOST programme and gain your science credit along the way, check out HSTC 1200