Room : A116 Time : Tuesdays 3-3:30 p.m. Text : The Demon Haunted World, by Carl Sagan
| Dr. Mark B. Moldwin | Dr. F. A. Ringwald | |
| Office: | S504 | S418 |
| Phone: | 674-7208 | 674-7135 |
| - | - | |
| Office Hours: | TBA | MW 3-5, T 4-5 |
Quizzes 40% Attendence 60% Participation 30% Essay 15% Due November 30 Topics
Date Topic Aug 31 : Introduction & Course Purpose Sep 7 : DHW Chapters 1, 2 Sep 14 : Faculty Research Talks: Drs. Rassoul & Moldwin Sep 21 : DHW Chapters 4-7 Sep 28 : Faculty Research Talks: Drs. Wood & Ringwald Oct 5 : DHW Chapters 8-10 Oct 12 : Faculty Research Talks: Dr. Blatt Oct 19 : DHW Chapters 12-14 Oct 26 : Faculty Research Talks: Drs. Burnett & Mantovani Nov 2 : DHW Chapters 16 & Ethics Handouts Nov 9 : Faculty Research Talks: Dr. Burns Nov 16 : DHW Chapters 17, 18, 19 Nov 23 : Faculty Research Talks: Dr. Jin & Mr. Gering Nov 30 : DHW Chapters 20, 21 Dec 7 : Course Evaluation Discussion Essay
Explaining and assessing alternative views on an issue is one of the most important skills in the art of critical thinking. We would like you to apply this strategy by finding and reading alternative views on a contemporary science issue. Then, write a short essay (500 to 750 words) about the subject. The goal of the essay is (1) to briefly describe the issue, (2) the outstanding questions and controversies, (3) and to give your opinion on the correct ideas.In your essay summarize and compare the viewpoints on the subject presented by the authors you've read. List the major question addressed by the authors along with the answers they offer. Look for points of disagreement and agreement. Also consider the methods the authors used to reach their conclusions and the evidence they presented. If possible, determine if one author s viewpoint is more reasonable than the other's, given all the suitable evidence. Finally, add a paragraph to state and support your conclusion.
Due date for essay is November 16, 1999. No late work will be accepted.
Last updated 1999 August 28.
Web page by Dr. Ringwald, based on a page by Prof. M. A. Wood.
Department of Physics and Space Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology