The year 1564 may not stick out as a date with much relevance but in February of that year, one of the most legendary figures of science was born in Pisa, Italy. Meanwhile, 1,000 miles away, one of the world’s greatest literary minds was being born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Galileo Galilei became a famous physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who famously declared that the Earth moves around the sun. William Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets and 38 plays, and is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. These two great figures are well known for their audacity and intellect, and they have inspired generation after generation of thinkers, writers, and innovators.

To commemorate their 450th birthdays, IIT is collaborating with Roosevelt University to offer a series of courses that will highlight the ingenuity, creativity, and social context of these two individuals. This collaboration is made possible in partnership with the Jack Miller Center and through the support of a grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

Courses offered at Roosevelt (open to IIT students):
HIST 341-01: Science, Medicine, and Natural Philosophy in Early Modern Europe; Celeste Chamberland; Thursdays 2-4:30 pm

PHIL 3801-01: Galileo/Shakespeare: The Birth of a New World; Stuart D. Warner; Mondays and Wednesdays 11 am-12:15 pm

Courses offered at IIT:
LCHS 285-01: Citizen Science and Education; Christena Nippert Eng; Fridays 10 am-12:40 pm

LCHS 285-02: Innovation, Science, and Galileo; Christopher White and Carolyn Purnell; Tuesdays 5-7:40 pm

For more information on the content of these courses and the registration process, email Carolyn Purnell or review here.