History / History of Science 336
Magic and Science in the Middle Ages
Spring 2000
Professor: Deeana Klepper
Office and Hours:
Stetson H12
ext. 2125
Monday 10-12, or by appointment
e-mail: deeana.klepper@williams.edu
Course Description: The boundaries which defined and separated magic, science, and religion in European thought and culture underwent significant change over time from late antiquity through the early modern period. In this course, we will examine the categories of magic and science during the Middle Ages within the context of medieval religious and intellectual culture. We will begin with the legacy of antiquity and end with the "Scientific Revolution," when the boundaries generally recognized in Western culture today first began to emerge. Subjects will include the nature of both magic and science in early and later medieval culture, the dissemination and control of knowledge and learning, the reception and transformation of Greek and Arabic knowledge, the relationship between learned and popular traditions, the interplay of disciplines we would define oppositionally (e.g., astrology and astral magic with astronomy, medicine and healing), and the understanding of Nature and purpose of study.
Francis Bacon, New Atlantis and The Great Instauration, revised ed., Jerry Weinberger, ed.
R. C. Dales, The Scientific Achievement of the Middle Ages
C. W. Hollister, Medieval Europe: A Short History
R. Kieckhefer, Magic in the Middle Ages
S. Shapin, The Scientific Revolution
Also: a packet of photocopies, available in the History Office. Most assignments are also on reserve in Sawyer Library.
Students are expected to bring all reading materials to class on the day(s) they are assigned.
Course Requirements: Students are expected to attend and participate in every class. All reading is to be completed before the class for which it is assigned. The class participation grade will be based on the level of your preparedness and involvement in discussion. In order to participate you must complete the reading and be prepared to discuss the issues raised by the readings. Written work for the class will include brief weekly reaction papers based on the course readings, a short bibliographical essay on an approved topic, and a 10-15 page research paper further exploring the same topic. The grading for the course will be as follows: 30% for class participation (including reaction papers), 30% for the bibliographical essay, and 40% for the research paper. Please note that students must complete all written work in order to receive a passing grade for the class.
Catholic Encyclopedia On Line helpful reference for medieval Church and Christianity
Medieval On Line Reference Book Guide to Medieval Terms [this is a fairly large file -146 kb]
Netserf's Guide to Medieval Terms
Labyrinth web guide to medieval studies
History 336 Guide to Internet Resources for Research in Medieval History
Thursday, Feb 3 Defining the Issues: Magic, Science, and the Boundaries between Them
Tues, Feb 8 Approaches to the Study of Magic
Readings: R. Kieckhefer, Magic in the Middle Ages, ch. 1; Begin reading Luck
Thursday, Feb 10 Magic and Miracles in Greek Antiquity
Readings: G. Luck, ed., "Magic" and "Pagan Miracles" in Arcana Mundi: Magic and Occult in the Greek and Roman Worlds, 3-28; 109-121; 135-152 [CP]
Tues, Feb 15 Magic and Early Christianity
Readings: R. Kieckhefer, Magic, ch. 2
Web Doc: The Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles Peter and Paul
Thurs, Feb 17 Paganism, Christianization and Magic in the Early Middle Ages:
Readings: V. Flint, The Rise of Magic in Early Medieval Europe, 240-253; 301-328; E. James, "A Sense of Wonder: Gregory of Tours, Medicine and Science" [CP]
Optional: R. Kieckhefer, "The Specific Rationality of Medieval Magic," AHR 99 (June 1994), 813-836 [CP]
Tues, Feb 22 Paganism, Christianization and Common Magic in the Middle Ages:
Readings: R. Kieckhefer, Magic, Ch. 3 & 4
Web Doc: Anglo-Saxon Charms
Thu Feb 24 Class Session at the Library with Lee Dalzell-- Conducting Research
Tues, Feb 29 Learning, "Science," and the Church in the Early Middle Ages
Readings: R. C. Dales, The Scientific Achievement of the Middle Ages, Introduction and Ch. 1
Web Doc: Richer of Rheims' Journey to the School at Chartres (10th century)
Thurs, Mar 2 Twelfth Century Learning and Arabic Science
Readings: R. C. Dales, Scientific Achievement Ch. 2
Web Doc: Excerpt from Peter Abelard, Sic et Non
Tues, Mar 7 The Rise of Universities and Control of Knowledge
Readings: E. Grant, The Foundations of Modern Science in the Middle Ages, 18-53
Web Doc: Stephen of Tournai, An Invective Against the New Learning and Jacques de Vitry's description of students
Thurs, Mar 9 Observing the Natural World and Experimental Science
Readings: R. C. Dales, Scientific Achievement Ch. 3
Web Doc: Roger Bacon, On Experimental Science
Optional: Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose
Tues, Mar 14 Arabic Science and the Occult
Readings: R. Kieckhefer, Magic, Ch. 6; R. C. Dales, Scientific Achievement Ch. 8
Thurs, Mar 16 Alchemy and Alchemists
Readings: R. P. Multhauf, "The Science of Matter" [CP]
Web Doc: The Secret Book of Artephius; Donum Dei [The Gift of God]
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ESSAYS DUE
Spring Break Mar 17-April 2
Tues, Apr 4 The Medieval Cosmos
Readings: E. Grant, "Cosmology" [CP]; R. C. Dales, Scientific Achievement, Ch. 7
Thurs, Apr 6 Astronomy
Readings: Olaf Pedersen, "Astronomy" [CP]
Tues, Apr 11 Astronomy, Astrology, and Astral Magic
Readings: L. Smoller, History, Prophecy, and the Stars, 25-42
Web Doc: Marsilio Ficino
Thurs, Apr 13 Clerical Abuse of Occult Science
Readings: R. Kieckhefer, Magic, Ch. 7
Web Doc: Honorius of Thebes, The Sworn Book
Tues, Apr 18 Books of Secrets
Readings:W. Eamon, "Knowledge and Power," Science and the Secrets of Nature. Books of Secrets in Medieval and Early Modern Culture, 38-90
Thurs, Apr 20 The Renaissance Magus: From Ficino to Giordano Bruno
Readings: F. Yates, "The Hermetic Tradition in Renaissance Science," Art, Science and History in the Renaissance, C. S. Singleton, ed., 255-274
Tues, Apr 25 Scientific Revolution?
Readings: S. Shapin, Introduction and Ch. 1
Web Doc: "traditional" outline of critical innovations of Scientific Revolution
Optional: E. Grant, Foundations of Modern Science, 168-206 [CP]
Thurs, Apr 27 The New Cosmology: Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, and Galileo
Readings:"The Reform of the Heavens," Science and Culture in the Western Tradition, 89-113
Tues, May 2 Reformation, Counter Reformation, and Control of Learning
Readings: S. Shapin, Ch. 2
Web Doc: Galileo's Letter to Duchess Christina of Tuscany
Thurs, May 4 The Great Instauration: The Promise of New Learning
Readings: Francis Bacon, New Atlantis and The Great Instauration
Tues, May 9 Isaac Newton and the Meaning of Science
Readings:S. Shapin, Ch. 3
Web Doc: Isaac Newton, Excerpts from Optics and Newton, Excerpts from Principia
Thurs, May 11 Final Session--The Decline of Magic?
May 13-16 Reading Period
May 16 RESEARCH PAPERS DUE
May 17-22 Final Exams (No Exam in this class)
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