The Trial of Galileo
C. Leahey
North Syracuse Junior High School
Introduction:
The Scientific Revolution was
a period in which new questions and observations challenged the ideas
associated with ancient Greece and the Middle
Ages. This period saw changes in the
fields of biology, chemistry, physics, and human anatomy. Among these new ideas were:
The Roman Catholic Church
considered these new ideas dangerous and
feared they would conflict with Catholic teachings and doctrine. In an effort to stop the spread of these
ideas, the Roman Catholic Church used the Inquisition (a special court) to
question and sometimes punish those who challenged the
church. This conflict led to one of the
most famous trials in history, the trial of an Italian scientist named Galileo Galilei.
Task:
The Global History Public Policy Analyst (GHPPA) is a
tool that you can apply to analyze historical problems and the policy that was
enacted to deal with the problem. First,
complete the four steps of the GHPPA. Then, using that information and information from
other resources below, make a 3-minute podcast that includes the following
information:
(1) The reason why Galileo
was placed on trial (problem)
(2) A description of Galileo’s
activities and beliefs that offended the church
(3) The ways in which the
church treated people who challenged accepted beliefs
(4) An evaluation of the
positive and negative aspects of the church’s policy.
(5) Devise three alternative
solutions that deal with the problem of cutting edge science.
(6) An explanation of what
you believe to be the best solution.
Process:
Step 1: Problem
What was the problem and whose
problem was it?
http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet1.html
Step 2: Gather Evidence
Identify three sources of
evidence to support the existence and extent of your problem.
http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet2.html
Step 3: Determine Causes
Locate and list the causes of
this problem.
http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet3.html
Step 4: Evaluate Existing Policies
Examine and evaluate how the
advantages of disadvantages of the church’s policy of trying scientists who
questioned the geocentric model.
http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet4.html
Step 5: Develop Solutions
Propose at least three ways in which
“forward thinkers” can be encouraged to do scientific research within
acceptable social boundaries?
http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet5.html
Step 6: Select the Best Policy Solution
Which of your three proposed
solutions is most acceptable and feasible?
http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet6.html
Resources:
Overview
of Galileo’s Life (includes inventions, trial, and punishment)
http://physics.about.com/od/famousphysicists/p/galileo.htm
Another
brief biography of Galileo’s Life
http://cnx.org/content/m11933/latest/
Chronology
of Galileo’s Life from
http://galileo.rice.edu/chron/galileo.html
Galileo’s
Drawings
http://www1.umn.edu/ships/galileo/drawings.htm
The
Charges and Galileo’s abjuration (renouncement)
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1630galileo.html
Stem
Cell Research
http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar726778&st=stem+cell+research
Evaluation:
|
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Historical Context (What is the
Problem?) |
Well explained |
Limited explanation |
Undeveloped |
Missing |
Analysis of Causes |
Effective |
Limited |
Weak |
No analysis |
Evaluation of Existing Policy |
Substantial relevant information |
Some factual information |
Lacking information, minimal |
Incomplete Inappropriate responses |
Development and Choice of Policy |
Well organized, well written and presented |
Clearly organized, written, and presented |
Weak Organization and writing. Weak presentation |
Disorganized and poorly written. Poorly presented |
Points Earned |
_________ |
_________ |
_________ |
_________ |
NYSED Learning Standards:
Standard 2: World History
Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate
their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments, and turning
points in world history and examine the broad sweep of history from a variety
of perspectives.
A. History
1.
Skills of historical analysis
a.
Investigate differing and competing interpretations of historical theories—multiple
perspectives
b.
Hypothesize about why interpretations change over time
c.
Explain the importance of historical evidence
B.
An Age of Revolution (UNIT 7)
1. Students should understand that the
Scientific Revolution in
thought throughout the world.
a. What role did
science and technology play in the changes that took place in
b.
To what extent was the Scientific
Revolution a rejection of traditional authority?