A Course in Early Chemistry for Undergraduates. A Speculative Experiment in Historical Modeling at the Donetsk State University

Analysis of the world's teaching practices in the history of chemistry shows us that, despite the common time shortage for general educational courses, serious attention should be focused on the early stages of science development. Studies on the history of early chemistry allow students to trace the origins and development of fundamental chemical principles and concepts, to recognize tight relationships between the past and present of human society, and, at last, to obtain broader professional knowledge. An advanced course in the history of early chemistry was taught for senior students at the Donetsk State University, Ukraine. The important constituents of the course were studies on the original works of ancient authors as well as development of the students' ability to absorb and interpret the material adequately. Discussion of general problems in natural history was considered an important part of the education. Thus, the course was based on discussions of selected topics. Throughout the course, the history of chemistry was considered mostly from Biblical and Aristotelian standpoints. This peculiarity makes the teaching approach quite close to approaches used at medieval European universities. It allows us to consider the course as an experiment in speculative historical modeling. Reconstruction of medieval scholastic approaches may reveal original and new pathways to the unveiling of numerous mysteries still remaining in the history of natural science.