AST
1042 HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY CONCEPTS SYLLABUS: Spring 2014
TEACHER Mr. Jon U. Bell
- Associate Professor of Astronomy; IRSC Planetarium Director
OFFICE
N101 (Hallstrom Planetarium)
PHONE
(772) 462-7515 (if I'm out, leave a message and I’ll return your call)
E-MAIL
[email protected]
WEB PAGE: http://faculty.irsc.edu/FACULTY/JBell/
OFFICE HR M 2:30 – 5 pm; T 2:30 – 5; W 2:30 – 5 pm; Th 2:30 – 5 pm
Or, call for an appointment and we’ll set up a convenient time.
LEARNING 1. Make use of technology to organize, acquire & convey information relevant to the physical sciences.
OUTCOMES 2. Using the scientific method, critically analyze and evaluate scientific data and utilize analytical skills to solve problems relevant to the physical sciences.
COURSE This course addresses historical concepts in astronomy, and introduces students to scientists and
DESCRIP- astronomers who, through the use of the scientific method and the construction and use of
TION elescopes, other astronomical tools and observatories, made
contributions to our understanding of the structure and content of the Universe.
What we know about the Cosmos has been acquired over time; in this class, many
of these discoveries will be presented, including prehistoric observations,
Greek civilization’s contributions to astronomy, the Middle Ages and the
Renaissance, the Classical, New World native American astronomy methods and
techniques and our modern view of the Universe.
GOALS
1. trace the history of astronomic thought, list its scientists &
discoveries
2. trace the various and diverse cultures that have contributed to our
knowledge of the Universe
3. describe astronomical tools & basic scientific principles of
astronomy
TEXT
handouts, videos and internet sites
TAPING,
Audio tape recording of the class sessions is allowed and encouraged.
NOTES
Likewise, note-taking is recommended as an organizational skill and as a
means to help
& ELEC-
you learn the material and put it “into your own
words.”
TRONIC
Electronic devices that make noise and disrupt class, such as beepers and
cell phones, must be
DEVICES
turned off while you’re in the classroom. Likewise, laptop computers,
ipods and other electronic devices
should not be used unless they are needed specifically for taking class
notes or enabling the class lecture.
FOOD
No food or beverages in the classroom or the Planetarium,
please.
GRADING Your grade
is determined in the following manner: You can accrue up to 100 points, which
will then be assigned a percentage score.
50 points: homework assignments and class
activities
25 points: oral report given in class about a chosen observation site or
astronomy concept.
25 points: attendance
GRADES
A: 90 – 100 B:
80 – 89
C: 70 – 79
D: 60 – 69
F: Below 60
ATTEND- Good
attendance is critical to understanding the course. Students must tell me if
their attendance is to be
ANCE
monitored as a requirement for financial aid. An attendance sheet will be
circulated at each class session.
CHEATING
The Physical
Sciences Department does not tolerate cheating.
HELP
Please contact Rhoda Brant or Terry Valencia in Guidance/KSU (462-7782)
if you need any special assistance in mastering this course. Or talk to me,
which would probably be easier.
1042 HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY CONCEPTS SYLLABUS: Spring 2014
TEACHER Mr. Jon U. Bell
- Associate Professor of Astronomy; IRSC Planetarium Director
OFFICE
N101 (Hallstrom Planetarium)
PHONE
(772) 462-7515 (if I'm out, leave a message and I’ll return your call)
[email protected]
WEB PAGE: http://faculty.irsc.edu/FACULTY/JBell/
OFFICE HR M 2:30 – 5 pm; T 2:30 – 5; W 2:30 – 5 pm; Th 2:30 – 5 pm
Or, call for an appointment and we’ll set up a convenient time.
LEARNING 1. Make use of technology to organize, acquire & convey information relevant to the physical sciences.
OUTCOMES 2. Using the scientific method, critically analyze and evaluate scientific data and utilize analytical skills to solve problems relevant to the physical sciences.
COURSE This course addresses historical concepts in astronomy, and introduces students to scientists and
DESCRIP- astronomers who, through the use of the scientific method and the construction and use of
TION elescopes, other astronomical tools and observatories, made
contributions to our understanding of the structure and content of the Universe.
What we know about the Cosmos has been acquired over time; in this class, many
of these discoveries will be presented, including prehistoric observations,
Greek civilization’s contributions to astronomy, the Middle Ages and the
Renaissance, the Classical, New World native American astronomy methods and
techniques and our modern view of the Universe.
GOALS
1. trace the history of astronomic thought, list its scientists &
discoveries
2. trace the various and diverse cultures that have contributed to our
knowledge of the Universe
3. describe astronomical tools & basic scientific principles of
astronomy
TEXT
handouts, videos and internet sites
TAPING,
Audio tape recording of the class sessions is allowed and encouraged.
NOTES
Likewise, note-taking is recommended as an organizational skill and as a
means to help
& ELEC-
you learn the material and put it “into your own
words.”
TRONIC
Electronic devices that make noise and disrupt class, such as beepers and
cell phones, must be
DEVICES
turned off while you’re in the classroom. Likewise, laptop computers,
ipods and other electronic devices
should not be used unless they are needed specifically for taking class
notes or enabling the class lecture.
FOOD
No food or beverages in the classroom or the Planetarium,
please.
GRADING Your grade
is determined in the following manner: You can accrue up to 100 points, which
will then be assigned a percentage score.
50 points: homework assignments and class
activities
25 points: oral report given in class about a chosen observation site or
astronomy concept.
25 points: attendance
GRADES
A: 90 – 100 B:
80 – 89
C: 70 – 79
D: 60 – 69
F: Below 60
ATTEND- Good
attendance is critical to understanding the course. Students must tell me if
their attendance is to be
ANCE
monitored as a requirement for financial aid. An attendance sheet will be
circulated at each class session.
CHEATING
The Physical
Sciences Department does not tolerate cheating.
HELP
Please contact Rhoda Brant or Terry Valencia in Guidance/KSU (462-7782)
if you need any special assistance in mastering this course. Or talk to me,
which would probably be easier.