B8197 - MUSEOLOGIA NELLE SCIENZE FISICHE E ASTRONOMICHE

Learning outcomes

The main objective of the course is to promote the understanding of the role played by museums and collections in the history of physics and astronomy. Starting from case studies belonging to ancient history (such as the Museum of Alexandria) until the contemporary science-centres and through the 18th Century Cabinets and astronomical towers, the course illustrates the different meanings that the term "museum" acquired throughout the centuries, the different practises connected to it and the role played by these institutions in the social, political and economical context. The course will profit of the museums and collections of the University of Bologna in order to enlighten some key-aspects such as the study of the historical scientific instruments, curatorial and conservation issues, the use of historical apparatuses in education and the transmission of intellectual heritage through artefacts.

Course contents

While this course can be taken independently, it's designed to be closely related to the history of physics course and, as such, follows its tripartite structure.

In the first part, dedicated to ancient science, we'll delve into the museum institutions of antiquity, such as the Museum of Alexandria in Egypt, exploring the differences from current museums and the types of scientific instrumentation used in ancient times.

The second part will first discuss the role that early modern museums, like that of the Bolognese naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi, played in developing methodologies that contributed to the scientific revolution in physics and astronomy. Subsequently, we'll examine the Institute of Sciences in Bologna as a significant case study in the history of science and the University of Bologna.

In the third part of the course, we'll discuss the role played by 19th-century museums in terms of teaching and research. We'll conclude with the issues and relevant museum proposals concerning 20th-century physics topics, such as relativity, quantum physics, and particle physics.

Readings/Bibliography

The materials will be suggested during the course and made available on the Moodle platform dedicated to the course

Teaching methods

The course is highly interactive. Besides traditional lectures and discussions, it incorporates many active learning components: group work for analyzing and studying visited museums and collections, peer-to-peer activities, co-design of museum proposals, and seminar activities.

Specifically, during group work, students will engage in literature analysis, interpreting material sources related to the history of science, studying scientific instrumentation currently on display in museums and analyzing archival material

Assessment methods

Attendance for this course is mandatory. To be eligible to take the exam, students must attend at least 70% of the classes. In addition to attendance, participation in the group work and activities carried out during the lessons is required to take the final exam. The final exam will consist of a presentation of a project and open-ended questions on the course content

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations, videos, websites

Office hours

See the website of Eugenio Bertozzi