Download ILS 251 - Integrated Liberal Studies

Ways of Knowing in the Sciences
Integrated Liberal Studies 251
Spring 2014
WEEK
Lecture Topic
T Jan 21
Course Overview: Scientific ways of knowing
R Jan 23
Scientific Ways of Knowing
Scientific Notation and Scale
What we know about the solar system: Empiricism,
Induction, and National Observation
Discussion of Reading
Bryson- Introduction & Ch. 1
NY Times: Elevating Science, Elevating Democracy
Bryson, Chs. 2-3
Gauch, 1st Part of Ch 1 (p. 21-40): Science’s 4 claims
Scientific Method in Practice
Scale model of the Solar System
Discussion of Reading
Graph Reading and Unit conversions
What we know about gravity: Empiricism, Induction, and
Experimentation
Bryson, Chs. 4-5
Gauch, 1st Part of Ch 1 (p. 40-73): A Brief History of Truth
R Feb 6
Analyzing Experiments
Graphing results and Basic Statistics
T Feb 11
Fuzzy thinking
Bryson, Chs. 8-9
Galileo, Dialogue
Golnick & Smith, Cartoon Guide to Statistics
Huff, How to Lie, Ch. 3-5
Shermer, Forward & Ch. 1
R Feb 13
Fuzzy thinking
Basic Probability
T Feb 18
Theoretical, Deductive, and Models
Newton’s World
Simple physical predictions
Deduction and Induction: Together
Bryson, Ch. 14-15
R Feb 20
T Feb 25
Bryson, Ch. 11
Oreskes, Introduction
T Mar 4
Higgs Bosons and crazy things we do to figure out about
really small stuff
Orbital variations
Milancovic: Right guy, wrong place, wrong time
R Mar 6
Milancovic cycles and planetary orbits- Data vs Theory
Bryson, Ch. 29
T Mar 11
Milancovic cycles - Overview
Bryson, Ch. 30
R Mar 13
Midterm
T Jan 28
R Jan 30
T Feb 4
R Feb 27
Readings
Bryson, Chs. 6-7
Feynman, Uncertainty of Science
Huff, How to Lie, Ch. 9-10
Shermer, Ch. 3
Feynman, Cargo Cult Science
Bryson, Ch. 12-13
Bryson, Chs. 16-17
Gauch, Ch 12
NY Times: Boron Morons
Bryson, Chs. 28
Reading on Earth’s orbits
Then, Spring Break
T Mar 25
DNA and genetic variation
Weiner, Part I
Bryson, Ch. 18-19
R Mar 27
Diversity of species
T Apr 1
Evolution and Darwin’s Idea
Weiner, Part II
Bryson, Ch. 20
Weiner, Part III
Darwin, Origin
Bryson, Ch. 21-22
R Apr 3
Darwin’s Finches
T Apr 8
Finch Exercise - Activity
R Apr 10
Weiner, Part IV
Bryson, Ch. 23
Weiner, Finish
Bryson, Ch. 24-25
Finch Exercise - Activity
Species Response to Climate Change
Bryson, Ch. 26
T Apr 15
R Apr 17
Climate Change
Pollack, Ch. 3
Weart, Ch 1
Ways of Knowing in the Sciences
Integrated Liberal Studies 251
Spring 2014
T Apr 22
Lake Mendota – Ice out - Activity
Pollack, Ch. 4
R Apr 24
T Apr 29
Climate Change
Climate change
Feeback cycles
Pollack, Ch. 5
Pollack, Chs. 6-7
IPCC FAQs
Additional Media Reading
R May 1
Climate Change
Thresholds
T May 6
Climate change
Pollack, Chs. 8-9
IPCC FAQs
Additional Media Reading
Oreskes, 2004
Pollack, Chs. 10-11
Weart, Ch. 8 & Reflections
R May 8
Climate Change
S May ????
Review session
May ??
FINAL- To be announced
Pollack, Ch. 12
Oreskes, 2007