First-Year Writing Seminar (105-8-1)

Instructors

Melville Ulmer
847/491-5633
Dearborn Observatory (2131 Tech Drive), Room 3B, Evanston
Office Hours: M, W, F 3:00-4:00pm (but call ahead for exceptions or if you can't make those times).

Meeting Info

Dearborn Observatory 23: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

We will discuss a book in class, with one discussion leader assigned to each meeting, which will be held twice a week. The book is written for non-experts interested in the topic of cosmology.

The book approaches cosmology from a historical perspective and demonstrates how, time after time, previously accepted worldviews were proven incorrect. Today, on the one hand, cosmologists have developed a model that fits together beautifully. On the other hand, its agreement with observations depends on invoking Dark Energy and Dark Matter, neither of which has been verified in a laboratory. The book asks the question: "Based on history, are we sure we have the correct model now?"

The alternative theory proposed by the author is too complex for this course and is therefore replaced with a set of recent articles written for non-experts. These additional articles challenge the book's theme that astronomers today have completely accepted the so-called concordance model of cosmology, which includes Dark Energy and Dark Matter.

In addition to being a useful resource for learning basic astronomy and cosmology, the book demonstrates, by example, how to analyze cosmological models and is therefore an excellent resource for developing critical-thinking skills.

The book is: Facts and Speculations in Cosmology by Jayant Narlikar.

Evaluation Method

Students will write three original papers based on the book readings. Paper 3 should be written specifically to address the WCAS Writing Place Rubrics. An additional graded assignment will be a revision of either Paper 1 or Paper 2.

Students will also be required to give a 10-minute presentation at the end of the quarter based on the paper of their choice. This presentation will be graded.

Class Materials (Required)

"Facts and Speculations in Cosmology" by Jayant Narlikar, ISBN-10: 0521865042

Class Attributes

WCAS Writing Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.
Add Consent: Department Consent Required