The main objective of the course is that students acquire a minimum body of knowledge and skills which enable them to analyze the contribution of Science to the understanding of our current society. For this purpose, the role played by scientific paradigms will be highlighted in order to understand the phenomena and historical changes and, therefore, society as a whole. Analyzing the role of Science¿s recent past in historical processes is necessary to ensure a long-term vision of the scientific transformations, as a fundamental tool for the critical perception of current world problems.

BLOCK I. CONCEPTS, METHODS & PARADIGMS 1. Problematic about science 2. Precedents I: Classical paradigms 3. Precedents II: Science in Middle Age 4. Precedents IV: Scientific Revolution (16th and 17th centuries) BLOCK II. SCIENCE AND HISTORICAL CHANGE (18th, 19th and 20th centuries) 5. 18th Century and Enlightenment 6. 19 Century and Early 20th 7. Chemistry 8. Medicine and Public health 9. Biology 10. Physic 11. Earth´s sciences 12. Astronomy 13. Revolutionary contemporary inventions BLOCK III. TODAYS´S SCIENCE 14. Triumph of science at today´s society 15. Scientific globalization

The course combines lectures and practical sessions. The essential aspects of the course topics are taught at the lectures , considering different approaches and reflections that allow a deeper development of the subject, and presenting texts and basic bibliography. The practical classes are focused on the reading and analysis of texts, images and other significant documents. It will be strengthened a system of active teaching, involving the students in the learning process - It will also combine activities in class with the use of external resources and references, promoting the use of libraries and technological means and encouraging the exchange of critical views among students. TUTORING SYSTEM : 2 hours per week. Analysis and guidance on any subject related to the syllabus and class, practices and papers.