NOTHING 
Astro 1905 - Freshman Seminar - Spring, 2008
  Th 3:35-5:30 Physics Room B49
http://www.myu.umn.edu (Click on my courses)
Instructor - Lawrence Rudnick,  (Doc R.) 383 Physics, x4-3396, larry@umn.edu
 Office hours:  Thurs. 10:30-11:45 or by appointment, or take your changes and drop in

other class links:    Optical Illusions   


GOALS:
a) Become better acquainted with other students, a faculty member, and the U;
b) Learn about the intriguing ways that the concept of nothing is understood in science, literature, philosophy, etc.
c) Explore your own sense of what nothing means; and
d) Have fun

REQUIREMENTS :

a) Attend all classes
, and participate actively in discussions
b) Do assigned readings and post web reflection and questions
c) Post weekly web reflections on what happened in class
d) Bring in 'fascinating fact' each week on a 3x5 card
e) Make one class presentation as part of small group
f) Write one final 500 word reflective essay based on web postings

 

TEXTS:

John D. Barrow, "The Book of Nothing"
        Other material will be assigned on the web or put on library reserve.

GRADING:

All weekly assignments will be graded on a three-level basis:  Good(2) , Fair(1), Unsatisfactory (0)
An average grade of "satisfactory" will be equivalent to a B.
   
    Reading reflections and questions (web)   20%
    Class reflections (web) 20%
    Final essay    20%
    Class presentation     20%  (to be discussed later)
    Class participation over whole semester  20%, including 'fascinating facts'
      

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

        NOTE: ALL OF THE FOLLOWING IS SUBJECT TO REVISION!
CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR READING ASSIGNMENTS
Date
 Topic
 Assigned reading prior to class
Jan 24
 Introductions, nothing in its many forms
(& 1=0)
  {optional:  Chapter 1, The Book of Nothing]
Jan 31
 Creating nothing (the physical vacuum)
 Chapters 0, 3
Feb 7
 The Quantum Vacuum
(the box that can never be empty)
Standing waves violin
Standing waves
Sonoluminescence 		Chapter 7
Feb 14
 Grief & Loss - creating meaning
Pahoua Yang
Feb 21
 Placebos
Tom Larson
  
Feb 28
 Invisible Children & Labor
Deborah Levison
March 6
 Nothing in literature
Chris Gordon

March 13
 Seeing Nothing
Phil Kragnes
March 27
 Minimalist art
Tom Rose
April 3
  Embracing emptiness, creating new worlds
Dan Jasper
April 10
 The Social Importance of Nothing
Michael Root
April 17
 Does everything move through "nothing"?
or  		Chapters 4, 6, and 9, The Book of Nothing
April 24
 Group presentations (guidelines)
  ALCHEMY, etc:  Joe, Trystan
   TIME:  Kate, Eric 		concepts due: 3/27; detailed outline 4/10
May 1
 Group presentations
    LIFE in 2D:  Nick M,, Annette
    GRAV. WAVES: Sean, Robert
  
 concepts due:  4/3;  detailed outline 4/17
May 8
 Group presentations
    DARK MATTER:  Nick R., Rhael
    SETI:  Ian, Heather

creation ex nihilo
 concepts due:  4/10  detailed outline 4/24

 Chapters 1 and 9

WEB ENTRIES:

    You will make two web entries each week, in separate "forums" on our WebCT site - CLASS REFLECTIONS, and READINGS.

    CLASS REFLECTIONS are to be posted after class on Thursday, and no later than 23:59:59 on Sunday evening.  They are  a reflection on the class just completed, approximately 100-150 words long, and should be thoughtful (and hopefully interesting).  They are not restricted to any particular content or format, as long as it is class related.  You are expected to read all of the other postings by class members, and can certainly comment on them in your own posting.

    READING REFLECT/QUESTIONS  After you have done the assigned readings for the coming week, you will post a 100-150 word commentary on the readings, ending with two interesting questions that you would like to see discussed in class.  Separate out and number your two questions. 
       I strongly recommend that you do NOT read other people's entries until you post your own.  Full credit will only be given for original contributions.  Your comments should be your own thoughts, reactions, to the readings, not a summary of what you've read.

   FINAL ESSAY - Due May 14,  11:59:59 PM.  Approx. 500 words.  Your original reflections on the material covered in the course.  The essay should be 1) original (not a summary of what we covered, but thoughts based on the material),  2) interesting ( e.g., "a surprising insight came from connecting ...."  as opposed to "I really liked it when Prof. X. told us about...), and 3) well-written (this means that you must write and revise, eliminating all spelling and grammar errors, have a coherence and flow to the essay, etc). I recommend that you go through your postings (and others') from the whole course to refresh your memories and see new connections, ideas.  If you want to get comments from Doc R. on a first draft, email it to larry@umn.edu before May 6.