COSMIC CATASTROPHES
Astro 1905 - Freshman Seminar - Spring 2009
  T 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:  T, Th   10:30-11:30 or by appointment

GOALS: In this course you will:
     a) Become better acquainted with other students, a faculty member, and the U;
     b) Learn about the wonderful and sometimes frightening universe in which we live;
     c) Reflect on how we make choices, as individuals and communities, in the face of risks; and
     d) Have fun

REQUIREMENTS : (details below)

     a) Attend all classes
     b)  Post weekly reflections on the week's class on the web - due at 23:59:59 Friday
    c) Do assigned readings and post comments and two numbered questions on web (by 23:59:59 Sunday)
     d) Research, prepare and make one class presentation on assigned topic (PROJECT CHOICES)
     e) Participate actively in discussions - including weekly "fascinating facts" (on 3x5 cards)
     f) Write one 500 word reflective essay on the course

DAILY SCHEDULE:

     Check in time (10 min)
 
     Fascinating facts  (20 min)
     Discussions of readings / questions (40)
     Break (5min)
     Presentation/exercise by LR and/or Students ( 45 min)
     Check-out time (5min)


TEXTS
:
 

    "Countdown to Apolcalypse," Paul Halpern (Count) - purchase at bookstore
    Introductory Astronomy text - (you'll receive on loan) - (Astro)
    Other material will be assigned on the web or on library reserve.
Projects will involve library and web research.

NOTE: ALL OF THE FOLLOWING IS SUBJECT TO REVISION!



Date
Topic
Assigned Reading
 Presentation
Who?
Jan 20
Introductions - us,  the course, the nature of catastrophe
-
LR
Jan 27
Historical Apocalyptic Views - THE Flood
Count: 1-3
 -
LR
Feb 3
Earth
Volcanos /Earthquakes 
Astro: Earth
-
LR
Feb 10
Global changes - natural
Count 4-5
 -
Feb 17
Global change- human
Count 6, and
Read http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/index.html AND click/read on EACH of the 4 sections at the bottom of the page
optional ("Inconvenient Truth" on Walter reserve)

  LR
Feb 24
Impacts! 
Count: 7
Astro: Comets/Asteroids
 Impact Video
LR

Mar 3
All risks of death
20 ways to end world 

 LR
Mar. 10
 Avoiding impacts
Read "fact sheet" under "Information" and look over images at SEDS site and animation (actual images) at this site and the artist's view here
(just do reflections - keep questions for presenters)

Collision detection

Collision prevention


Alli, Eli
Mar. 24
Life Goes on?
Bring in picture of most interesting animal you can find & describe how its characteristics fit its environment
 

Historical Changes in Biosphere



David, Amy

Mar 31

Life in space
Colonizing Earth from Venus?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panspermia

Where else can life exist?
space colonization


Marie, Sam K.
April 7 
 The End of the Sun
Fatal Stars /
Radiation
Count: 8
Astro: Stellar Evolution, Supernovae


Supernovae,
Gamma ray bursts
Kendra, Brandon
April 14
Threats from afar
http://webusers.astro.umn.edu/~larry/CLASS/CATASTROPHE/Aliens.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUki-07sp2E

Alien Invasions

Emily M., Melissa, Thavy
April 21
 Could have been threats

1. Read about how/why black holes form in your astronomy text.
2. What if an impact caused earth to stop rotating?
http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=16
3. Are Microscopic Black Holes Buzzing Inside The Earth?
 http://www.universetoday.com/2007/06/20/
are-microscopic-black-holes-buzzing-inside-the-earth/
 
What if?

Sam H., Emily L.
April 28

 Risks - real and imagined

PART A. Go to http://astrology.about.com/library/bl_freeAstrochart.html and find out what it tells you about you according to your birthday. Make notes and be prepared to discuss in class.
PART B.  Go to the following 3 web sites, fill out the forms and post the results on your Thoughts/Qs posting:   1. how will you die, (not the details); 2) life expectancy Canadian business; 3) life expectancy MSN.
http://www.gotoquiz.com/how_will_i_die
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/my_money/planning/retirement_rrsp/
life_expectancy/tool.jsp
http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/calcs/n_expect/main.asp

Astrology+
Dylan, Katy, Kasey
May 5
Could the U be unfit
for life?
Count: 9
Astro: Cosmology
 -
LR

Details of requirements:

 

Readings and questions: (WebVista)

Tentative readings on the syllabus. Changes announced in class.  For each reading, provide an approximately 100-150 word commentary (not just summarizing what you read) followed by two numbered questions that will be discussed in class.  Due Sunday night, 11:59:59 pm.
 

Reflections  (WebVista)

Each week, you will post a reflection,  approximately 100-150 words in length,  an  original and thoughtful commentary, reflection, etc. on the material we covered that week in class.  Entries must be posted no later than Sunday night at 11:59pm.

Final reflective essays

Your final reflective essays will either be posted in the Final Essay forum on the web site, or be submitted by e-mail to larry@umn.edu by May 15th at 11:59pm. They should be 450-550 words long, and be original and thoughtful reflections on the content and experience of the course. They should be without spelling or grammatical errors, and should be developed around a coherent theme. Essays that appear to be first drafts will be returned for revision with a loss of one grade. Standards will be discussed further in class. You can submit in plain text or Word 2003 (.doc). Do NOT use Word 2007 (.docx); it will be returned.

Presentation guidelines: (in groups of 2 or 3)

Preferably two weeks, and absolutely no later than one week before your presentation, you will submit in writing by email to larry@astro.umn.edu, in plain text - NOT word documents, etc. AND cc'd to your partner(s) in the same email
1) a detailed outline of the topics you will cover,
2) a short description of the class activity
3) an initial list of both web and magazine/journal/book references
4) suggested pre-class readings for the class.
5) AV or other equipment needs

You will prepare a 40 minute lesson (combined) for the class, including a 10 minute class activity. For the class participation portion, you should prepare either questions for us to discuss and/or a class activity. The presentations should be interesting and informative, and their format (lecture, audio-visual, interactive, etc) is open to negotiation.

Fascinating facts - discussed in class

Grading:

All weekly assignments will be graded on a two-level basis:  good/satisfactory (2) , and marginal (1).  Readings /questions  15%;  Reflections 15%;  Class presentation 25%;  class participation 25%; final essay 20%.  An average grade of "satisfactory" will be equivalent to a B.
 
Special Needs:

Any special needs should be discussed with Doc R. before the 2nd week of class.   

Academic Standards:

You are responsible for being familiar with the academic standards policies of your college of enrollment.

Student Mental Health Services

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student’s ability to participate in daily activities. University of Minnesota services are available to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus via the Student Mental Health Website at http://www.mentalhealth.umn.edu