Honors First-Year Seminar
Syllabus: Fall 2007
Professor: F. Skiff 504 Van Allen Hall 335-0564 frederick-skiff@uiowa.edu Office Hours
Class time:
Location: 240 BHC
Course Description
Theories in physics generally make some kind of statement about the way things really are. Some of these statements, such as the relativity of time proposed by Einstein, or the quantum incompatibility of position and momentum expressed in Heisenberg's uncertainty relation, seem to go against common sense. What is the connection between physics and common sense? What does physics have to do with reality? What is the connection between physics and metaphysics? Is physics a religion? What it the role of mathematics in physics? These are some of the questions we will discuss concerning physics and reality. In addition to lecture and discussion, there will be a few short reading assignments. Student evaluation will be based on four short response papers, and class participation.
Course Web Page: http://www.physics.uiowa.edu/~fskiff/Seminar
Writing Assignments
There will be four short papers assigned during the course. You will be asked to write a short paper on one of the three posted questions (the chosen question will be announced the day you write the paper). The papers will be a maximum of one page in length. All points of view are welcome, but I will be looking for some arguments or evidence in favor of your position. I also will be looking for you to interact with the ideas and opinions that we have discussed in class.
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General Information:
For
each semester hour credit students should expect to spend two hours per week
preparing for class sessions.
Academic Fraud
Plagiarism and any other activities that result in a student presenting work that is not his or her own are academic fraud. Academic fraud is reported to the departmental DEO and then to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Services in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/academic_handbook/ix.shtml
Making a Suggestion or a Complaint
Students have the right to make suggestions or complaints and should first visit with the instructor, and if the problem remains unresolved then with the course supervisor (Dr John Nelson, 420 Blank Honors Center). All complaints must be made within six months of the incident. www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/academic_handbook/ix.shtml#5
Accommodations for Disabilities
A student seeking academic accommodations first must register with Student Disability Services and then meet with a SDS counselor who determines eligibility for services. A student approved for accommodations should meet privately with the course instructor to arrange particular accommodations. See www.uiowa.edu/~sds/
Understanding Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment subverts the mission of the University and threatens the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. Visit www.sexualharassment.uiowa.edu/ for definitions, assistance, and the full policy.
Administrative Home of the Course
The administrative home of this course is the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which governs academic matters relating to the course such as the add / drop deadlines, the second-grade-only option, issues concerning academic fraud or academic probation, and how credits are applied for various CLAS requirements. Please keep in mind that different colleges might have different policies. If you have questions about these or other CLAS policies, visit your academic advisor or 120 Schaeffer Hall and speak with the staff. The CLAS Academic Handbook is another useful source of information on CLAS academic policy: www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/academic_handbook/index.shtml
Rights and Responsibilities: All students in the college have specific rights and responsibilities. These are detailed in the Schedule of Courses and in the College's Student Academic Handbook (http://www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/academic_handbook/).