The main objectives of the c. u. are 5: (1) to acquaint the students with the generic concept of "language" and with the specifics of the related concept of "scientific language"; (2) to acquaint the students with the two major senses of the term "science" which come to the front when one departs from the broad meaning of the Greek noun "episteme", as well as of the corresponding Latin noun "scientia", and approaches the narrow meaning which the term "science" itself tends to express nowadays; (3) to acquaint the students with the type of language which is characteristic of the discourse of science in general; (4) to expound to the students the links which naturally relate science and philosophy to each other, in order to make them realize that all knowledge which is innately holistic is necessarily both scientific and philosophic; (5), to lead the students to a satisfactory understanding of the conceptual links which naturally relate science and culture to each other.
The syllabus is divided into 3 modules. Module I. ("Language") splits into 3 topics: I.I Introductory remarks concerning the concepts of "language" and "scientific language"; I.II The symbolic character of language in general and therefore of the language of science; I.III The shaping of concepts, as an activity "sine qua non" of language in general and therefore of the language of science. Module II. ("Science") splits into 2 topics: II.I From (the broad meaning of) "episteme" and "scientia" to today's narrow meaning of the term "science"; II.II Scientific and non-scientific knowledge: distinct from each other as a result of the latter's (i) rigour and completeness, (ii) objective ground, and (iii) universality. Module III. ("Culture, Philosophy, Science") splits into two topics: III.I Relations pertaining to science and philosophy — "episteme" as knowledge both scientific and philosophic; III.II The concept of "culture" and the links that relate Science and culture to each other.
Module (I.) is taught by means of the transmission of the teacher's own knowledge and of the detailed analysis of excerpts of Ernst Cassirer's two texts: "An Essay on Man" and "Language and Myth". Modules (II.) and (III.) are taught mainly by means of explaining to the students the most relevant passages of the textbook that the teacher has written specifically for the teaching of the course. That textbook, which comprehends twelve sections, is titled "Notas para a Elucidação do Conceito de 'Ciência'" ("Notes Towards an Understanding of the Concept of 'Science'"). It is made available to the students on pages 48–191 of the course anthology: "Colectânea de Textos para a Disciplina 'Cultura e Linguagens Científicas'"
CASSIRER, Ernst. "Ensaio sobre o Homem". Trad. Carlos Branco, Lisboa, Guimarães, 1995.
CASSIRER, Ernst. "Linguagem, Mito e Religião". Trad. Rui Reininho, Porto, Rés, s.d.
SILVA, E. J. Moreira da. "Notas Para a Elucidação do Conceito de 'Ciência'". In: —, ed. "Colectânea de Textos Para a Disciplina 'Cultura e Linguagens Científicas'". Ponta Delgada, Universidade dos Açores, 2012, pp. 48–191.
CAMPBELL, Norman. "What is Science?" London, Methuen, 1921.
CARNAP, Rudolf. "An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science". Ed. Martin Gardner, New York, Dover, 1996.
DARIAN, Steven. "Understanding the Language of Science". Austin, University of Toronto Press, 2003.
HUXLEY, T. H. "Science and Culture". In: —. "Collected Essays". Bristol, Thoemes Press, 2001, vol. 3, pp. 134–59.
MCMORRIS, Neville. "The Natures of Science". Rutherford, Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1989.
REEVES, Carol. "The Language of Science". London, Routledge, 2005.
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