Syllabus

Personnel

Course Coordinator:	Earl Skelton, Earl F Skelton
Instructor:	Carol O'Donnell, Peter Hahn

Course Description

This syllabus consists for four parts: I. Course Overview, II. Basis for Grade, III. Required Learning Aids, and IV. Schedule of Assignments

I. Course Overview:

When I behold the heavens, the work of thy fingers, what is man that thou art mindful of him?

This question, recorded in the Old Testament, was asked by the ancient Hebrews as they contemplated the awesome heavens. From that time to the present, all peoples, and all religions, continue to ask: Why are we here? What is the cosmos? Where does the Universe begin and where does it end?

In modern times, we have added newer questions: Are we alone? Can we travel in time? . . .backward or forward? What was there before there was time and space? When and how, if ever, will the Universe cease to exist? All of these profound riddles about the cosmos will be addressed, as we journey together and learn what science knows about the Cosmos.

In this course, we will address the breath and scope of the known universe and our place within it. We will consider our Solar System, from the Sun to the Oort Cloud: How it came into existence 4-1/2 billion years ago and of what is it made. How our Sun generates the energy that is necessary for most, but not all, life on Earth. We will discuss the planets and how they differ from comets, planetoids, and asteroids and from each other. What is life? Are there other life forms out there? In the second semester, we move farther from our home planet and focus on the stars in our galaxy, The Milky Way, in other galaxies, and on some of the most interesting and newly discovered objects in the Cosmos: quasars, pulsars, black holes, quark stars, and the primordial structure within the cosmic microwave background, remnants of the Big Bang.

All of this fascinating subject matter will be presented in an easy to understand and entertaining manner. There will be viewings of segments from the popular series of the late Dr. Carl Sagan, Cosmos, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Origins and his recent remake of Origins, and similar videos, plus visits to astronomy shows and exhibits at the National Air and Space Museum, and other web-based ways of gaining insights into the magnificent universe around us. You will have the opportunity of visiting an astronomical research institution in the greater Washington area and meeting and interviewing an astronomer.

The most up-to-date pedagogical tools will be used in this course, among which are BlackBoard (Bb), LON- CAPA, TurningPoint (commonly referred to as “clickers”), and Mastering Astronomy. These teaching aids have been enthusiastically received by former students and ensure that coming to class is engaging, rewarding, and fun.
Pedagogical Philosophy:
Some professors prefer an adversarial relationship with their students. That is NOT my style. My philosophy is that we are all on the same team. You are taking this class to learn astronomy and I am here to teach you astronomy. I will do everything within my power – and within the law – to help you earn the best grade possible in this course.

Prerequisites

High school algebra and trigonometry

Class Hours

Mondays and Wednesdays; 11:10 AM - 12:25 PM; Corcoran Hall, Room 101

Office Hours

6:30 – 10:30 AM, Mondays and Wednesdays or after class or by appointment – but, any time that I am in my office, and the door is open, please feel free to stop in.

Deadlines

Post Lecture Questions (PLQs) for each of the 27 lectures scheduled for the 2015 Spring Semester open at 5:00 AM on the day of the lecture and remain available for 48 hours. Each of the 27 PLQs must be completed during these two day periods.