NOTHING 
Astro 1905 - Freshman Seminar - Spring, 2009
  Th 3:35-5:25 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, or take your changes and drop in

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) Post weekly web reflections on your reactions to previous class
c) Do assigned readings and post on web your thoughts on readings and questions for discussion
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 22
 Introductions, nothing in its many forms
(& 1=0)
  {optional:  Chapter 1, The Book of Nothing]
Jan 29
 Creating nothing (the physical vacuum)
 Chapters 0, 3
Feb 5
 The Quantum Vacuum
(the box that can never be empty)
Standing waves violin
Standing waves
 		Chapter 7
Feb 12
 Seeing Nothing
Phil Kragnes		 Visual agnosia (quick read to get main points)
Explore the Optical illusions
Magnetic sense in animals

(a picture of Garron from Phil)
Feb 19
 Placebos
Tom Larson
 Placebos (wikipedia)
Knee surgery
Opiods (optional, more technical)
Feb 26
 Invisible Children & Labor
Debora Levison
 Child labour (wikipedia)  AND at least one of the following:  a) Peanut Vendors (Brazil) and/or b)  Child workers (Togo)

(make sure your reflections/questions reflect both of your readings)
March 5
 The Social Importance of Nothing
Michael Root		 How we divide the world
March 12
 Nothing in literature
Chris Gordon 		Mar 9,10:  King Lear, East Bank
Readings and questions
Optional, fun - all-woman King Lear
March 26
 Minimalist art
Tom Rose 		1. See Like Irwin  (scanned pdf file) 
2. Wolfgang Lieb (find some examples of his art on web and read interview);
3. Fred Sandback (explore him on web)
April 2
 "Nothing" in mental health - the case of depression  
Amanda Jentzen
 Under READINGS on Webvista, read
   Styron, Undoing, and WhatToDo
April 9
  Is the Universe empty? Chapters 1,4, and 6, Book of Nothing
April 16
 Creation ex nihilo Chapters 9, The Book of Nothing
April 23
 Group presentations (guidelines)
  ALCHEMY, etc:  Nica, Kevin, Heather
   TIME:  Courtney, Megan H. Kathleen, Fan 		concepts due: 3/26; detailed outline 4/9
April 30
 Group presentations
    LIFE in 2D:  Alex, Paige, Ken
    GRAV. WAVES:  Grace, Travis, Gael
  
 concepts due:  4/2;  detailed outline 4/9
May 7
 Group presentations
    DARK MATTER:  Allison, Andrea,Shawn
    SETI:  Caitlan,Megan S., Tiana


 concepts due:  4/9  detailed outline 4/23

WEB ENTRIES:

    You will make two web entries each week, in separate "forums" on our WebVista 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 13,  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 5.


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