DAS 333
Fall 2006
Instructors: Dr. Oliver Weaver (Physics)
Dr. Iris Totten (Geology)
Dr. Keith Miller (Geology)
Dr. Srinivas Kambhampati (Entomology)
Dr. Dean Hall (English)
Dr. Scott Tanona (Philosophy)
M,W,F 3:30 pm, Thompson Hall 101
|
Wk |
D |
Date |
Label |
Content |
Readings |
|
1 |
M |
21-Aug |
Intro 1 |
Course Introduction |
|
|
|
W |
23-Aug |
Intro 2 |
What is Science? |
|
|
|
F |
25-Aug |
Phil 1 |
Theory, prediction, observation & experiment. |
see
K-State online |
|
2 |
M |
28-Aug |
Eng 1 |
Language
of Science, Figurative Language, Metaphors for Life |
Access
English Reading One at K-State online |
|
|
W |
30-Aug |
Phys 1 |
Scale of the universe. |
|
|
|
F |
1-Sep |
Phys 2 |
History of astronomy. Solar system models. |
|
|
3 |
M |
4-Sep |
None |
Labor Day holiday |
|
|
|
W |
6-Sep |
Phys 3 |
Gravity and the laws of motion. |
|
|
|
F |
8-Sep |
Phys 4 |
Light.
Understanding stars |
|
|
4 |
M |
11-Sep |
Eng 2 |
Meaning in Literature, Interpreting Literature,
Interpreting Science |
Access
English Reading Two at K-State
online |
|
|
W |
13-Sep |
Phil 2 |
Evidence and theory change. |
see
K-State online |
|
|
F |
15-Sep |
Phys 5 |
What is out there?
Stars, clusters, galaxies, and dark matter. |
|
|
5 |
M |
18-Sep |
Phys 6 |
Expanding and cooling universe. Red shifts and cosmic
background radiation. |
|
|
|
W |
20-Sep |
Phys 7 |
Evolving universe -- our 14 billion year history. |
|
|
|
F |
22-Sep |
Phys 8 |
Evolving universe continued |
|
|
6 |
M |
25-Sep |
Exam |
Exam 1 |
|
|
|
W |
27-Sep |
Phil 3 |
Testing historical theories. |
see
K-State online |
|
|
F |
29-Sep |
Geol 1 |
Composition and structure of Earth's interior. Models for
formation of Earth. |
|
|
7 |
M |
2-Oct |
|
Fall Break holiday |
|
|
|
W |
4-Oct |
Geol 2 |
Origins of the oceans and atmosphere.Conditions on the
early Earth. |
|
|
|
F |
6-Oct |
Geol 3 |
From fixed continents to plate tectonics |
|
|
8 |
M |
9-Oct |
Geol 4 |
Discovering Earth history. Reconstructing a timeline and applying uniformitarianism. |
Rudwick -- Chapter 2 |
|
|
W |
11-Oct |
Eng 3 |
How Science Affects Literature and Literary Thinking |
Access
English Reading Three K-State online |
|
|
F |
13-Oct |
Geol 5 |
Age of the Earth. Kelvin to radioactivity. |
|
|
9 |
M |
16-Oct |
Phil 4 |
Testing historical theories 2. |
see
K-State online |
|
|
W |
18-Oct |
Geol 6 |
The fossil record and the history of life. |
Rudwick -- Chapter 3 |
|
|
F |
20-Oct |
Geol 7 |
Evolution and transitional forms. |
Miller -- Chapter 8 (Recomm) |
|
10 |
M |
23-Oct |
Exam |
Exam 2 |
|
|
|
W |
25-Oct |
Phil 5 |
Science as a social process. |
see
K-State online |
|
|
F |
27-Oct |
Bio 1 |
Natural selection. Basic concepts and evidence from field
studies. |
|
|
11 |
M |
30-Oct |
Bio 2 |
Origin of life, theories and fossil evidence. Prokaryotes
and eukarotes. |
|
|
|
W |
1-Nov |
Bio 3 |
How does evolution occur?. Population genetics and evolutionary mechanisms. |
|
|
|
F |
3-Nov |
Bio 4 |
Speciation.
What are species and how do new ones evolve? |
|
|
12 |
M |
6-Nov |
Bio 5 |
Evolution of complex organs. |
|
|
|
W |
8-Nov |
Phil 6 |
Challenges to science. |
see
K-State online |
|
|
F |
10-Nov |
Bio 6 |
Human evolution. Where did we come from? Who is related to us? |
|
|
13 |
M |
13-Nov |
Bio 7 |
Modern humans and natural selection. Are we subject to
natural selection? |
|
|
|
W |
15-Nov |
Phil 7 |
The limits of science. |
|
|
|
F |
17-Nov |
Eng 4 |
Science
in Literature (how science goes wrong in literature and film) |
Access
English Reading Four K-State online |
|
14 |
M |
20-Nov |
Exam |
Exam 3 |
|
|
|
W |
22-Nov |
None |
Thanksgiving holiday |
|
|
|
F |
24-Nov |
None |
Thanksgiving holiday |
|
|
15 |
M |
27-Nov |
Phys 9 |
Summary - The end of the universe |
|
|
|
W |
29-Nov |
Eng 5 |
Reflections on death and dying in literature |
Access
English Reading Five K-State online |
|
|
F |
1-Dec |
|
Science, Philosophy, and Responsible Living |
|
|
16 |
M |
4-Dec |
|
Science, Philosophy, and Responsible Living |
|
|
|
W |
6-Dec |
|
Review |
|
|
|
F |
8-Dec |
|
Review |
|
|
E |
T |
12-Dec |
|
Final Exam is on Tuesday, December 12th at 4:10-6:00 pm. |
|
OFFICE
HOURS: Contact: Dr.
Iris Totten
Room 208B
Thompson Hall
itotten@ksu.edu, 532-2251
By Appointment Only
COURSE
DESCRIPTION: Human Life and the Universe: An
interdisciplinary course offered by KSUÕs Center
for the Understanding of Origins to address humanistic and scientific issues of origins of the universe, earth,
life, intelligence, and language.
K-STATE
ONLINE: For this course you will need to have access to K-State Online. You can
access it through the K-State homepage at http://www.ksu.edu. Log in with your
user ID and a personal password of your choice. This site will provide you with
course information, access to your exam and quiz scores, and a message board
for posting questions related to course content.
ASSIGNMENTS
& CLASS ATTENDANCE: You will be expected to read the assigned readings.
Regular class attendance is essential for you to be able to succeed in this
course.
QUIZZES
AND EXAMS: There will be three exams during the semester on the dates
indicated, and a final exam. The final exam is comprehensive and will cover
material from the entire semester.