SCIENCE AND HUMAN NATURE

COR 402

FALL 2004 SYLLABUS

 

COR402 - Science and Human Nature: Scientific Revolutions - Tuesday and Thursday 8:30-9:45 AM

 

Instructor: Dr. Rulison (Office G-318, Phone 364-8409, E-mail: mrulison@oglethorpe.edu)

 

Purpose: This core course investigates the practice of science by focusing specifically on scientific revolutions.  It is during such periods of upheaval that we can most clearly see how science is actually practiced.  What causes a new idea to challenge the scientific status quo?  What determines whether the new idea will be accepted, or not?  When seeking new explanations for natural events, what guides the scientist's search?  What clouds the scientist's judgment regarding existing theories and rivals to his or her own contribution?

 

This scientific way of understanding, or knowing, our universe is distinct from other ways of knowing.  By its very nature, scientific understanding is continually changing and evolving - it is provisional.  The primary distinguishing characteristic of physical science is its reliance upon experimentation for the determination of scientific value, and for the resolution of conflicts among the practitioners of science.  Central to the considerations of this course will be examination of the many facets of scientific investigation including the underlying assumptions, limitations, provisional nature, and power of the scientific process.  The concurrent influences between the scientific enterprise and other areas of human activity will also be considered.

 

Modern western society is largely science-dominated, and the consideration of science and its role in society is essential for any educated person.  Specifically, this course has two primary goals.  The first is to equip the student with the necessary tools and background to seek answers to the questions posed above, and others, for such questions are increasingly a part of each of our lives if we live those lives reflectively.  The vehicle we will use for our considerations is the ancient topic of cosmology, specifically the Copernican revolution and also the currently ongoing cosmological revolution.  Thus, the second goal is to acquaint the student with the historical development of cosmological theories from those of the earliest human civilizations through to our present-day conception of the universe, as well as the influence that these changing cosmological theories have had on other aspects of civilization.

 

Texts:   The Sleepwalkers by Arthur Koestler.

 

            The Copernican Revolution by Thomas Kuhn.

 

            The Book of the Cosmos edited by Dennis Danielson.

 

(optional) The Little Book of the Big Bang by Craig Hogan.

 

Alpha & Omega by Charles Seife.

 

Additional Readings will be distributed, and online readings will occasionally be used.

 

Prerequisites: None, although some basic algebra and geometry will be used from time to time, and familiarity with the content of other core courses is assumed.

 

Quizzes/Tests: There will be weekly reading quizzes on Thursdays, beginning August 26.  These will be brief (~5 minutes) to encourage you to keep up with the course reading.  The best 10 of these quiz grades will count toward your final grade.  There will be a midterm exam.  There will be a comprehensive final exam at 11:30 AM Friday, December 10.  NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES / TESTS OR POSTPONEMENTS WILL BE GIVEN.

 

Papers: There will be two papers assigned on topics relating to the Copernican revolution, and one paper on a topic dealing with modern cosmology.  The schedule of topics and due dates will be distributed separately.  Each paper will be approximately 6 pages in length.

 

In & Out Writing:  From time to time I will ask you to respond to a question in class, or I may give you a question to respond to briefly to be turned in at the next class meeting or via the web.

 

Extra Credit: You may earn up to 15 additional points toward your final grade in one of three ways.  (1)You may write an additional paper on a topic, related to the course, of your choosing.  (2)You may do a project and report on the project.  I will provide a list of suggested projects, or you may suggest one of your own.  (3)You may construct a web page dealing with a topic of your choice, related to the course.  In each case the proposed paper, project, or web page must be approved by me, and the decision to pursue the extra credit must be made no later than October 14.

 

Class Attendance: Poor class attendance inevitably has a negative effect on learning.  Simply reading the texts will not be sufficient to do well in this course.  Some class time will be devoted to demonstrations or activities, for which there is no substitute.  Therefore, class attendance is required.  The student is responsible for all material and information covered in class (including changes of assignment and schedule).  The class discussions will expand on, and clarify, the readings.  You are allowed a maximum of three unexcused absences.  Beginning with the fourth absence there will be a penalty of 3 points for each absence.

 

Dropping the Course: The course may be dropped with a grade of W through Friday, October 15 (provided that the student's work to that point has been of passing quality).  After that time the grade of W will be assigned only in the case of prolonged illness or withdrawal from the university.

 

Academic Honesty: As students and faculty at Oglethorpe University we are members of a society of scholars with all the opportunities as well as obligation attached to such a designation.  We therefore agree to govern ourselves accordingly.  The use of any information not provided by the instructor, during a quiz or exam will be considered cheating.  In such a case the involved student(s) will be referred to the Honor Council for a hearing and possible disciplinary action.

 

GRADING

 

A............90-100          (A-....90-93)                                        Quizzes.............15%

B............80-90            (B-....80-83,B+....87-90)                     Papers......…......45%

C............70-80            (C-....70-73,C+....77-80)                    In & Out………15%

D............60-70            (D+....67-70)                                  Midterm……….10%

F.............0-60                                                                    Final Exam........15%

                                                                                                --------------------------        

Total...............100%

           

 

Note that Incomplete (I) is given only under the rarest of circumstances.  Refer to pages 70-71 of the 2002-2004 Bulletin for a summary of requirements.