Teaching the ‘principles of science’ within a liberal arts curriculum

Abstract

The question of developing and teaching a foundation course in science within a liberal arts curriculum is examined through lived experience. I discuss and analyse the formulation of the course and its structure, contents and functions. This is based on my experience of teaching the course for two semesters to liberal arts undergraduates. This article aims to invoke inquiry to understand the basis of science and scientific methods, the nature of science, the criteria of scientificity and the dynamics of scientific rationality at various stages of human history. Science is examined from different perspectives in the humanities and social sciences to find their inter-relatedness. The humanities, in particular history and philosophy, play an important role in examining science and scientific methods in order to understand the limitations of science. Finally, the need for integrating science and humanities in contemporary education is discussed