On Teaching the History of Physics Available to Purchase

After reviewing trends in general courses in college physics, the author discusses potential objectives in teaching the history of physics, viz., cultural, pedagogical, research. He emphasizes the necessity for a cultural bridge that will include history, philosophy, and science (the basic course preferably given by a scientist, if an understanding of science is a primary goal). With respect to pedgagogy, he stresses the need for an approach that is immediately functional, but directed toward ultimate understanding. The author's particular concern here is the unique contribution of the history of physics to comprehensive understanding and research training (preferably in the senior year). In addition to the correlating review, a course along this line affords insights into important lessons of the past, the ensnaring involvment of the present and guiding directions for the future, as well as hereditary physics and its social matrix.