ASTR
4800 –
Space Science: Practice & Policy
Fall 2006
Professor Jack Burns, Ph.D.
Department of Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences
Office: Duane F927
Office Hours: MW 2:00-3:00 pm or by appointment
Phone: 303-735-0963
E-mail: jack.burns@cu.edu
Web page: http://solo.colorado.edu/~jaburns
Colorado Congressman Mark Udall (right) during a visit to Astr 4800 class on December 1, 2006. He is greeting student Ian Cofrin who portrayed Congressman Udall during a class Mock Science Committee Hearing in September, 2006.
Required
Text: The Heaven and the Earth: A Political History of the Space Age, 1997 by
Walter A.
McDougall, Johns
Course Description: Students will be exposed to current controversies in science that illustrate the scientific method and the interplay of observation, theory, and science policy. Students will research and debate both sides of the issues, which include strategies and spin-offs of space exploration, funding of science, big vs. small science, and scientific heresy and fraud. Approved for the arts and sciences core curriculum: critical thinking.
Course Prerequisites: ASTR 1110 and 1120, or equivalent, or PHYS 1110 and 1120, or PHYS 2010 and 2020.
Course
Objectives:
1. How does NASA’s history give us perspective on the Agency’s present programs and it’s Vision for Space Exploration.
2. What is the rationale for federal support of scientific research in space, in particular astronomy? What fraction of the federal budget goes to basic science? To astronomy? What federal agencies support astronomy and what is their mission?
3. How do scientists interact with policymakers in Congress and the White House? How are scientific priorities established? How is the budget allocated? How/when do scientists bring issues to the attention of policy makers? How/when do policy makers seek information from scientists?
4. What are the scientific objectives, costs, and scientific impact of current space astronomy instruments such as the Hubble Space Telescope and Cassini, and such future missions such as the New Horizons Pluto probe and lunar-based telescopes.
Strategies
for Reaching the Objectives:
·
Text chapters and other web
materials should be
read and thoughtfully analyzed before class so that you are prepared to
discuss
issues, articulate insights, evaluate others’ ideas, and defend your
own
ideas. Participate in discussions of
topics by asking original questions, bringing in outside research
articles to
share with the class, and relating your own experiences or observations.
·
Find time to read updates and
articles on NASA
and the space program at least weekly.
You will be asked to discuss one or more such articles in class
and how
these articles relate to the learning objectives. Some
potential resources include Space News (published
weekly and in the
library) as well as on-line sites such www.space.com,
www.spacedaily.com, www.thespacereview.com, and http://science.nasa.gov.
·
Make PowerPoint presentation to the
class at
least once during the semester showing your in-depth research on one of
the
themes, topics, missions, policies, or science issues in the class
schedule
(see last section of this syllabus).
·
Begin research early on your
mid-term and final
papers.
·
Late assignments will not be
accepted
unless arrangements were made in advance.
Class
Web page: http://solo.colorado.edu/jaburns/Astr4800_Fall06
Quizzes: Short essay
quizzes will be given three times during the semester.
These quizzes will ask you to discuss,
analyze, and interpret issues presented in class.
In-Class Participation: Regular individual participation in class discussion is a critical part of this class. Points will be earned for the quality and quantity of your in-class participation.
Individual
Attendance:
Daily class attendance is expected and is an individual responsibility. An occasional interview or illness may cause you to miss class, but excessive absences will be penalized in the point distribution system. If you need to miss class, please let me know before class via E-mail or a written note.
Religious
Observances:
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, please contact me in advance of the religious observation to make arrangements. See details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html.
Sexual
Harassment:
The
Classroom
Behavior:
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender variance, and nationalities. See policies at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code.
Academic
Integrity:
All students of the
When in
doubt about plagiarism, paraphrasing, quoting, or collaboration,
consult with
me.
Disability
Services:
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices. Disability Services’ letters for students with disabilities indicate legally mandated reasonable accommodations. The syllabus statements and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices.
E-Mail:
I may need to communicate with you using email. Please provide the email address you check daily on the student information sheet.
Grading:
10% Class participation
25% Quizzes
25% Class Presentations
40% Mid-term and final papers
Schedule of Topical Article Presentations
Schedule of Class Presentations
Planned
Class Schedule:
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