SCI - Scientific Revolution Module Overview

 

Scientific Revolution.

Introduction

The Scientific Revolution marks a major shift in European thinking, breaking from the old and embracing the new. The decision to question our natural universe could only have occurred after the Reformation challenged the authority of the Catholic Church. Building upon the challenges to the spiritual world, thinkers in the 1600's began to turn to the skies and inward in order to determine how the natural world works.

 The invention of the printing press enabled a more rapid spread of scientific knowledge. Scientists from all over Europe were able to share ideas and theories; a circumstance which encouraged an evolution and refinement of scientific and mathematical theories. Just as the race for colonies had resulted in international rivalry so did the Scientific Revolution. Not only did European states want the prestige of claiming Europe's greatest scientists, but the new technologies of military warfare encouraged almost constant war between rival nations. As the Renaissance and the Reformation encouraged literacy as a tool for academic exploration, the unquestioning loyalty to Catholic tradition and dominance was challenged, allowing further study of previously accepted theories.  In fact Renaissance humanism opened up scientific texts of the classical civilizations to the new Europeans. The revisiting of the classical texts allowed a foundation for the exploration of modern thought. 

Image -  The Astronomer by Johannes (Jan) Vermeer. Is often seen as the companion piece to The Geographer (which can be seen later in the module.) From the Northern Realism movement and displays Vermeer's characteristic play with light.

 

Essential Questions

• What role did the Renaissance and Reformation play in the spread of 17th century science?
• What is the connection between Aristotelian science and Catholic Church doctrine?
• Why was the new science considered a threat to the Church?
• What was the significance of the geocentric vs. the heliocentric issue?
• What is the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning?
• What were the scientific and mathematical developments of the period?
• How was the Scientific Revolution a "revolution"?

 

Textbook Assignment and Unit Review Form

As you work through this module, be certain to read the Scientific Revolution chapter in your textbook. As you are reading, you may wish to jot down notes in the unit review form. Please pay close attention to the challenges presented to the Church (from the various scientific discoveries), as well as how the revolution extended to and changed popular culture. This is for your notes, not to submit.

Click here to download a copy of the unit review form. Links to an external site.

 

Key Terms and People

There are several people and items you need to look over for this module. Be sure to download the ID list (linked below) - EVEN if you do not plan on defining them for your notes. This is for your notes, not to submit. You need to look over the list of terms to see what you will need to pay particular attention to in this module.

Click here to download a copy of the ID List for this module. Links to an external site.

The presentation below is helpful in seeing some of the more important people and terms, but is by no means a definitive list.

 

 

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.