Objectives

Understand the characteristics of mythical cosmologies and their differences with later cosmologies, elaborated within the philosophical and scientific framework.
Distinguish between the different conceptions of the pre-Socratic philosophers about the origin and ultimate reality of the cosmos.
Be able to explain how the cosmological two-sphere model was arrived at, starting with the rational interpretation of astronomical observations.
Explain the subsequent developments of Greek astronomy, up to Ptolemy's synthesis, and its integration into the Aristotelian conception of the world.
Understand the situation of astronomy at the beginning of the Renaissance, and the role played by Copernicus, Brahe and Kepler in the elaboration of the new heliocentric cosmology.
Appreciate the impact of heliocentrism and the new conception of science that the Scientific Revolution on the culture of the time: how it affected the self-concept of humanity.
Being able to describe the achievements of the two greatest figures of the Scientific Revolution, Galileo and Newton, in the field of science, astronomy, and scientific methodology. Being able to solve basic physics problems by applying their discoveries.
Appreciate the impact of the Newtonian worldview, both in the concept of science and in the conception of the universe. Learn about the main scientists who built the worldview of classical physics throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
Understand the reasons for the crisis in the worldview of classical physics at the beginning of the 20th century. Distinguish the changes produced by quantum theory and by relativity.
Be able to describe the main results of astronomical observation and their relationship with cosmological models. Appreciate the role of technology (in particular, the evolution of telescopes) in achieving these advances. Qualitatively understand contemporary ideas about the origin, structure and evolution of the universe. Appreciate the effect of these cosmological ideas on humanity's view of itself.