COVENANT UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Department: Languages and General Studies Unit

Course Lecturer: Ovia, E.

Programme: Philosophy.

Course Code: GST 311.

Course Title: History and Philosophy of science.

Course Units: 2

Semester: Alpha.

Time: 10.am-12noon.

Location: Lecture Theatre1.

A. Course Overview.

The course is an in-depth study of the epistemological branch of philosophy which is

concerned with knowledge acquisition. Science as it existed in ancient times and its
systematic growth to contemporary days is traced from one epoch to another. This is the
essence of the course.

B. Course Objectives.
By the end of the course, the student should be able to:
- Trace the philosophical foundation of science.
- Analyze the formation of scientific theories.
- Understand the methods of science.
- Critique the explanation of reality by the scientific enterprise.

C. Method of Lecture Delivery/ Teaching Aids.

These include lectures with the aid of power points, projectors and P.A. system.
There shall be interactive sessions through questions and answers.

D. Course Outline.
Module one: (weeks 1-3).

Week 1: What is History, Science, Philosophy and Philosophy of Science.

Week 2: History of Western science- Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance periods.
Week 3: History of medicine and mathematics.
Module two: (weeks 4-5).

Week 4: Science of Aristotle, Pythagoras, Democritus, Copernicus and Galileo.

Week 5:Scientific works of Descartes, Newton and Einstein. What is quantum mechanics?
 Module three: (weeks 6- 7).

Week 6: Philosophy in science (rationalism, empiricism, realism, idealism, materialism,

pragmatism, determinism.)
Week 7: Contemporary science (Critique of the scientific method) -positivism, inductive
thinking.

Module four: (weeks 8-10).

Week 8: Revolutionary science, Dialectics, Anarchic conception of science.

Week 9: The notion of scientific explanation and truth, the notion of scientific progress.
Week 10: Nigeria and Technology.
Week 11: REVISION.

Method of Grading: Continuous Assessment (questions and answers) and end of Semester
examination.
E. Tutorials:
- Week 3 (what is science, philosophy and philosophy of science?)
- Week 7 (a comparative critique of ancient, medieval and modern science.)
- Week 12 ( trend in contemporary science)

F. Structure of the Programme/ Method of Grading:

Continuous Assessment comprise of:
Impromptu test.
Mid semester examination – 30 marks
Alpha semester exam- 70 marks

G. Ground Rules & Regulations:

- Attendance of 75% and above is required for qualification of each student to write the
examination.
- Where the course clashes with another for lectures, concerned student should inform the
GST 311 team in writing, with the other lecturer signing to confirm student’s claim.
- Student above should get acquainted with happenings in class by alternating attendance of
both courses. His 50% attendance shall be prorated for eligibility to write examination of
both courses.
- Where a student misses a class as a result of health reasons, a medical report should be
forwarded.

H. Term Paper and Assignment.

This shall be an examination of contemporary issues such as man’s impact on his
environment and C.U’s project on waste to wealth.

I. Alignment with Covenant University Vision and Goals.

The course points the student to the fact that all knowledge including the scientific enterprise
is faith based. The course is a pointer to the fact that one can be a scientist and be a sound
Christian.
J. Contemporary issues/Industrial relevance.
The course would prepare the student for the practical world outside the campus by assisting
him to think logically and sequentially. The student is given a proper foundation to tackle
theories side by side practice. He must be able to synchronize technological and scientific
inventions and their application with a human face.
K. Recommended Reading/Texts.
-Uduigwomen, A .F. (2015) A textbook of History and Philosophy of Science. (4th Edition)
Ariaria:AAU Vitalis Book Company.
- LaBossierre, M. (2008) Philosophical Provocations. What don’t you know? London:
Continuum International Publishing Group.
- Stangroom, J. and J Baggini (eds) (2007) What more Philosophers think. London:
Continuum International Publishing Group.
- Grayling, A.C. (2009) Scepticism and the Possibility of knowledge. London: Continuum
International Publishing Group.
- Carel, H. and d. Gamez (eds) (2004) what philosophy is. London: Continuum
International Publishing Group.
- Kenkmann, A. (ed) 2009 Teaching Philosophy. London: Continuum international
Publishing Group.
- Ndayako, S. (2007) History of Philosophy and Science. Jos: AGSAM Educational
services Ltd.