(48d) A Descriptive Study of a New Course on the History of Thermodynamics

A new course on the history of thermodynamics titled “Thermo-Human Dynamics - Heat, Energy and Time” was developed and taught in the Spring of 2020 and Spring of 2022. The class was co-instructed by Prof. Eliza Buhrer, a historian, and Prof. Rachel Morrish, a chemical engineer. This presentation provides a descriptive study of the course design as well as student perspectives and outcomes. The class itself examines how discovery of the 1^st and 2^nd Laws of thermodynamics not only transformed scientists’ understanding of the universe, but also had a significant impact on nineteenth and twentieth century art, literature, religion, philosophy, and social theory. The course was run as a weekly, 3 hour discussion seminar interspersed with interactive exercises, student presentations, and writing workshops. Students were led through a series of historical and cultural readings, bringing to light often overlooked connections between science and the arts. Assignments included weekly writing exercises, an oral biography of a thermodynamicist, and a creative project artistically portraying a thermodynamics concept. We will discuss the advantages and challenges of developing a cohesive course bridging two disciplines, and how studying thermodynamics through a historical lens can deepen students’ understanding of its fundamental principles.