This course explores the major scientific and technical advances in Western civilization from the Ancient World to 1700 CE. It treats the sciences and technology as being historically significant in themselves, and also as a part of the larger social and cultural framework. Major topics include: Greek natural philosophy, Graeco-Roman technology, mediaeval technology and social change, the Renaissance and technology, and the scientific revolution of the 1600s. Emphasis is placed on the transformation of physics and astronomy associated with Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Descartes, and Newton.