Author: aalia

My roomates and I were sitting around chatting yesterday and we somehow got onto the concept of religion, education, western perspective, and numerous other things that reminded me of this class. Discussions like that make me optimistic, to a certain extent, because they remind me that people are aware that the education system they’ve been through has a strong European, Christian approach to history, as hidden as it often appears to be. However, they also revive my original sentiments of frustration, and to a certain extent anger, that originally evoked the desire to start this course. Because people are open and willing to listen, to learn, but the information is so hard to find and simply just not taught in our Education system.

I’m not sure how different the education systems in Islamic countries actually are to ours – although I know some of you have experienced them. After reading those chapters on the “decline” of science in Islam, I have the impression that the colonial powers imposed their Education systems and more importantly the content taught and their approach to scientific learning on the Islamic countries which they occupied, and this has forever changed (or perhaps abolished) the tradition of learning that once existed in these places.

Anyways, my point in writing this post was that I think it’s important that we engage in these types of conversations with as many people as possible. Change of perspective starts one dinnertime discussion at a time.

So I’m in the midst of putting together my presentation about Chemistry during Islamic Civilizations and I thought I would look up a timeline to better place the contributions of Islamic chemists in the context of the overall development of the science.

Apparently, there aren’t any.

Let’s just say I’m extremely disturbed. I don’t mean to use this blog as a place for ranting but honestly! This is a timeline, entitled “Chronology of Major events in Chemistry” I found posted by (I don’t think she actually wrote it, but not sure) someone who holds a PhD!! http://chemistry.about.com/cs/history/a/aa020204a.htm

A very similar one can be found here: http://www.chemistry.co.nz/chronology.htm

and here…  http://www.timelineindex.com/content/select/65/912,2,70,65?so=a

I’m sure there are many more, all of which group together over 1000 (ONE THOUSAND. Do people not realise there’s something odd about that?) years of extraordinary contributions to the field into a lump entry entitled “Islamic Alchemists” or just “Alchemists.” And then, all of a sudden, the field of “Chemistry” suddenly springs up in the 1700s? That makes sense.

My edits to Wikipedia were split between 2 articles:

1. Edited the “Science in the Islamic World” section of the article entitled “The History of Science.” I added two new paragraphs, one about Ibn-Sina (several other prominent Islamic scientists were featured but not him, and I felt that he was too important to be left out), and another about the transition between the Golden Age in Islam and the emerge of science in Europe, as I felt there was a lack of continuity in the article.

Here is the link to the page as it was before my edits:

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_science&oldid=348354693

Here is the link to the page after I edited it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_science&oldid=348656365

2. Rewrote the introductory paragraph in the article entitled “Islamic Science,” as I did not feel that it correctly conveyed the relationship between Islam and Science.

Here is the link to the page as it was before my edits:

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Islam_and_science&oldid=346664579

Here is the link to the page after I edited it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Islam_and_science&oldid=348669363

I changed my mind. I’m going to edit the “history of science” and “science and Islam” pages.

– aalia

Hey, just wanted to let you all know that I’m going to edit the “Gravity” page on Wiki

– aalia

Hello! So there is some weird admin setting turned on which only allows the blog admin (i.e. Raheem) to see who posted what which is kind of annoying. Could you guys please start leaving your name at the end of your posts? Also if you have a second please add this to your previous posts… Some of you are already doing this Thank You!

-aalia

Hey Guys,

Since we have student presentations for the next few weeks, are going to move the discussion about term project ideas here. Please comment and post your ideas! We should decide fairly soon so everybody can start working on things and avoid having all the work pile up until the end.  PS. quick note about marking: Our faculty sponsor, Dr. Dharamsi, whom most of you have met, will likely be marking this project.

IDEAS:

– term paper. possibly compiled into a published monologue. topic: pick a Muslim scientist and situate them and their contributions in their respective field.

– poster/exhibition somewhere (sub? art gallery?). problems: difficult to book. possible solution: booth during I-week? or celebrate research week?

– you tube video. possibly show somewhere on campus. (I LIKE!)

– lesson plan for elementary school students. either to be delivered by students in the class or given to teachers. at BCMS or local elementary schools or both?

– children’s book

– game? i don’t remember the details of this….

– calendar. each page could represent a particular Muslim scientist, OR a field (for example mathematics or chemistry). Give calendar (sell?) to people (like the UBC Dean’s and science professors) to put up in their offices. (I LIKE THIS IDEA. I know the point was brought up that it’s “too easy” or “lazy” BUT i think that if we put the appropriate amount of time into it, we could get it to look very professional, plus perhaps find some funding somewhere…. and its very feasible and will result in a more permanent way of getting our information out there… like how cool would it be if Mr. Toope had this in his office? The dean of science? science advising? professors who you went to see for office hours? etc. etc. etc.!!!)

– aalia