Download Ideas that Shaped the Modern World

THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
HKU SPACE Community College
Associate Degree Programmes 2016-17
Course Document
Course Title: Ideas that Shaped the Modern World
Course Code:
C
C
P
H
4
0
0
4
Aims and Objective
Contemporary society requires people knowledgeable about the origin and development of our world as a
global and complex entity. This course is designed to provide students with a multidisciplinary
perspective of the modern world, with emphasis on reflection about contemporary and local issues. There
will be a lot of interesting and profound explanation and discussion on history, society, politics, science,
culture, and philosophy. There is no prerequisite for this course except a zeal for learning and
understanding.
Ideas do not just prop up from nowhere. Although we tend to believe that there are geniuses who come up
with groundbreaking original ideas, the truth is that an idea can only become significant and has impact
on the world in an “environment”. So in teaching how the “great” ideas shaped the modern world, we
will explain how an idea is developed and brewed in a complicated network. Understanding this is crucial
to students who have an aspiration to promote their insights to influence our future society, whether in the
academic, political or business fields.
Intended Learning Outcomes of the Course
On completion of the course, students should be able to
ILO1 identify key ideas and concepts that give shape to the modern way of life;
ILO2 explain the historical and philosophical roots of thoughts and ideas that are now taken as common
knowledge;
ILO3 examine critically the significance, merits and limitations of ideas in modern times;
ILO4 apply an interdisciplinary approach in analysing modern culture and society.
Syllabus
In each academic year, the lecturer can choose 5 to 6 topics from the following to teach. Each topic
should normally occupy 2 lectures.
Topic 1. The Renaissance and the Enlightenment (2 lectures)
We shall start with introducing the Renaissance and the Enlightenment as reactions to previous cultures
such as that in the Dark Age and in the Arabic world. The characteristics of the Renaissance and the
Enlightenment, as well as their impact upon knowledge, science, religion, and politics will be discussed.
Topic 2. The idea of “man”: political and philosophical (2 lectures)
We shall explain how the concept of a “man” or “person” arose after the Dark Ages that culminates in the
present concept of a free individual with rights and duties. In connection, there will be some discussions
about the growth of bioethics and the contemporary issue of violation of human rights in certain places of
the world. Students will also be invited to reflect upon such conflicts in Hong Kong.
Topic 3. The idea of science (2 lectures)
We are heir to the development of science and industrial revolution because our contemporary life is
impossible without science and technology. In this topic, we will discuss ‘the new science’ in contrast
with Aristotelian science in order to illustrate the discontinuous nature of the development of science in
history. Significant figures of the new science such as Robert Boyle, Isaac Newton, and Descartes will be
discussed. These discussions will help students to understand “the scientific world view”. Local issues
concerning pseudo-science will be examined in order to cultivate students’ critical thinking. A field trip of
the Hong Kong Science Museum might be included as part of experiential learning.
Topic 4. Science and religion (2 lectures)
The relationship between science and religion is complicated. We shall discuss how science and religion
conflict, and gradually accommodate each other in history, with reference to the reception of Copernican
Revolution and Darwinian Evolution. Students will be encouraged to review how one ought to resolve
conflicts between knowledge and religion in their daily life.
Topic 5. Modern medicine (2 lectures)
The modern world is a world where medical services are indispensible and constitute the most significant
share of national expenditure. In this topic, we will examine how medicine became scientific, through the
discussion of Paris medicine, German physiological medicine, and the development of bacteriology. We
will also look at colonial medicine to illustrate how Western medicine became orthodox in today’s world.
In connection, students will be led to discuss “genuine” and “fake” medical practices. A field trip to the
Hong Kong Museum of Medical Science might be included as part of experiential learning.
Topic 6. Revolution and economics (2 lectures)
In this topic, we will evaluate the rise of economy and the city. What exactly caused the present world to
be so focused on money, economy, and the market? Is this the only way to organize the lives of people?
At the same time, we will discuss some ideas that oppose such development, and how revolutions came
about as a consequence of the clash between ideas. Student will be instructed to discuss the recent issues
of economic crisis and the Jasmine revolutions.
Topic 7. Sexuality and the Body (2 lectures)
In this topic, we will discuss the issue of sexual norms, sexual identities, and the relation between sex and
power in modern cities. Film and/or literature will be employed to stimulate students’ reflection and
students will be invited to critically discuss issues concerning sexuality, such as sexual roles in daily life
and the issue of homosexuality.
Topic 8. Modernism and Post-modernism (2 lectures)
One way to understand modernism more fully is to contrast it with post-modernism. In this topic, we will
discuss some central values in post-modernism, such as anti-foundationalism and playfulness, in order to
explore and critically evaluate the basic intellectual tenet of modernity. Philosophers who shaped the
development of post-modernism, such as Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and others will be
introduced. Students will be encouraged to discuss the issue of absolutism vs. relativism with reference to
their daily life.
Assessment
Type of Assessment (Weighting)
Description
Performance in tutorials (40%)
Continuous Assessment (100%)
Individual/ Group Paper (30%)
Group Viedo (30%)
Pre-requisite(s)
Nil
Required and Recommended Reading
1.
Tarnas, Richard (1991) The Passion of the Western Mind: Understanding the Ideas that Have
Shaped Our World View, Ballantine Books, New York
2. Van Doren, Charles (1991) A History of Knowledge: The Pivotal Events, People, and Achievements
of World History, Ballantine Books, New York
3. Diamond, Jared M. (1999) Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, W. W. Norton &
Company
4. Stearns, Peter N. (2003) Western Civilization in World History, Routledge
5. Pinker, Steven (2003) The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature, Penguin
6. Roessler, Shirley E. and Miklos, Reny (2003) Europe 1715-1919: From Enlightenment to World
War, Rowman & Littlefield
7. Bayly, C. A. (2004) The Birth of the Modern World 1780-1914: Global Connections and
Comparisons, Blackwell
8. Dupre, Louis (2004) The Enlightenment and the Intellectual Foundation of Modern Culture, Yale
University Press
9. HeldIsrael, Jonathan I. (2006) Enlightenment Contested: Philosophy, Modernity and the
Emancipation of Man 1670-1752, Oxford University Press
10. Gaukroger, Stephen (2006) The Emergence of a Scientific Culture: Science and the Shaping of
Modernity, 1210-1685, Clarendon Press, Oxford
04.07.2016