History of Science and Naval Architecture is part of the teaching Cultural Tools and Disciplines for Design, which consists of two integrated modules (each with an intermediate assessment). Together, these modules aim to provide the cultural and humanistic knowledge essential for developing the sensitivity and background necessary for yacht designers in the design of nautical products.
The History of Science and Naval Architecture module is structured around theoretical content delivered through a series of lectures. These are designed to equip students with the historical knowledge required to understand the evolution of shipbuilding from its origins to the present day.
The teaching aims to provide the student with in-depth knowledge of shipbuilding from its origins to the present day with a particular focus on the development of Ars Du Navire and Scientia Navalis.
The teaching aims to provide students with a comprehensive body of knowledge on the evolution of shipbuilding from its origins to the present day, with particular emphasis on the development of the Art du navire and Scientia navalis. Through the study of the historical development of shipbuilding, the teaching addresses topics such as naval architecture and construction, statics and stability of ships, construction techniques and technologies, and the use of materials (wood, iron, steel).
By the end of the teaching, students are expected to understand the development of shipbuilding, describe the evolution of different types of vessels and the processes that led to their creation and transformation over time, analyze and solve problems related to the interpretation of the evolution of construction systems, acquire the ability to identify, address, and resolve issues related to the historical development of shipbuilding.
There are no specific requirements.
The teaching is structured into 13 ex-cathedra lectures, each lasting 4 hours, with the possibility of including seminars on specific topics. During the lectures, open discussion on the topics covered is encouraged in order to foster constructive dialogue and collaboration, as well as to welcome suggestions aimed at continuous improvement.
The teaching covers a range of topics, including:
1) A brief history of shipbuilding: ancient ship construction
2) Prolegomena to the history of navigation
3) The evolution of ancient ships: from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
4) Shipbuilding between the 17th and 18th centuries: naval architecture and construction; naval warfare
5) The steam era
6) Iron ships vs wooden ships
7) Technical developments in the 19th century
8) Historical overview of the evolution of the Italian Navy: the Italian Merchant Navy and the Royal Navy (Regia Marina)
9) Art du Navire and Scientia Navalis: the birth of naval science (early studies in naval science), treatises on shipbuilding, encyclopedias, manuals, and encyclopedists
10) Naval art and the maneuvering of warships, naval tactics manuals and naval warfare; historical notes on the development of naval signaling
11) Naval architecture: Henry Louis Duhamel du Monceau and the Architecture Navale, ship theory in the 17th and 18th centuries, Jean Bernoulli and the new theory of ship maneuvering, Leonhard Euler and Scientia Navalis, treatises on the theory of navigation
12) The submarine adventure
In addition, supplementary lectures may be scheduled, including visits to major naval museums in the region or the exploration of specialized topics agreed upon with students.
Corradi Massimo (2011). Lineamenti di Storia della costruzione navale. Morrisville, North Carolina: Lulu Press Inc., 2 voll. p. 688. Vol. 1 L’arte di fabbricar navilii; Vol. 2 L’art du navire e la scientia navalis.
Corradi Massimo (2011). Biblioteca di Storia della costruzione navale. Morrisville, North Carolina: Lulu Press Inc.
Additional reference materials will be indicated throughout the course of the lectures, as appropriate.
Ricevimento: By appointment at the instructor’s office: Department of Architecture and Design – Polytechnic School, Stradone di Sant’Agostino, 37 – 16123 Genoa, Italy. For communications and to request an appointment outside of regular office hours, please contact the instructor at the following email address: massimo.corradi@unige.it
MASSIMO CORRADI (President)
VERONICA BASSINI
CLAUDIA TACCHELLA
LEO LECCI (President Substitute)
The teaching takes place during the first semester. Lectures will begin according to the official academic calendar and will be held at the La Spezia Campus.
The timetable for this teaching can be consulted on the EasyAcademy portal.
The final assessment consists of a written examination comprising both closed-ended and open-ended questions. The aim is to evaluate the knowledge acquired during the teaching and the student’s ability to formulate complex responses to open questions through reasoning and the integration of multiple elements.
The examination will be assessed based on the accuracy of responses to the closed-ended questions, while the section consisting of open-ended questions will be evaluated according to the completeness of the answers, the ability to establish connections, and the depth of analysis. The exam is designed to verify both the knowledge and understanding of the theoretical content delivered during the teaching, as well as the student’s ability to critically rework the acquired concepts in order to formulate complex responses. This assessment method allows for the evaluation of whether the intended learning outcomes have been successfully achieved.
Please contact the lecturer for further information not included in the course sheet.
