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The Two Cultures Physics Course a Pharmakon of Science Education Steve Zides Wofford College [email protected]
The Two Cultures Physics Coursea Pharmakon of
Science Education
Steve ZidesWofford College [email protected]
A Priori Assumptions
• A well rounded person needs to understand a little science.
• Physics is one of the quintessential sciences.
• Given the right pedagogy, anyone can learn physics
→ A Liberal Arts Student could greatly benefit from taking a “properly designed” physics course.
The Physics (for non-science majors) Course
The Typical Approach: “Physics for Poets”Cover the same material that the physics majors get
but dumb down the math and add a few “real world” examples.
Pro: No significant alteration to pedagogy Con: No knowledge integration or retention
The Physics (for non-science majors) Course
The Two Cultures ApproachIntegrate the key physical concepts with more humanistic
modes of thought, creating a knowledge dialogue.
Pro: More significant knowledge integration and retention Con: More complex pedagogy and ambiguous objectives
Theatre – Physics
Space and Time, Love and Loss
Science Fiction Stories
World on the EdgePhilosophical and Scientific
Perspectives on Cataclysmic Events
Physical AestheticsScientific Metaphors and
the Visuals Arts
The Two Cultures Experiments
Pharmakon Issues
•How will mathematics be handled in such a course?
•How will lab be handled in such a course?
•How do I assess such a course? Do instruments like tests and quizzes make any sense?
•What will happen to students who try to go on in science after this class?
•Who can teach these classes?
Theatre - Physics
Theatre• literary analysis
• understanding the differences between the play and other types of fiction
• thematic and structural unity
Physics• scientific method• historical development of
scientific ideas• science is a work in
progress• science is good at
answering the “Hows” but not the “Whys”
Textual Layout
Science in the Ancient WorldThe Poetics and Oedipus
The Scientific Revolution Reading the Mind of God, Starry Messenger, and Leap
19th Century ScienceArcadia, Darwin in Malibu, and The Enemy of the
People
20th Century ScienceCopenhagen, The Physicists, and Waiting for Godot
Search for Truth by René Magritte
Physical Aesthetics:
Scientific Metaphors
and the Visual Arts
Example Topic: Force Metaphors in Art
Mass Force Vector
Pieta by Michelangelo
The Tragedy
by Pablo Picasso
The Death of Marat by Jacques- Louis David
World on the Edge
In these linked courses, we explored philosophical questions that arose as we studied the
science relating to potential cataclysmic or apocalyptic events.
Topical Outline
I) Dangerous Scientific Endeavors Nanotechnology, Artificial intelligence, and High-Energy Physics
II) Warfare and Weapons Biological, Chemical, and Nuclear Weapons
III) Over-population and Over-consumption Energy, Waste, Air Quality, and Climate Change
IV) External Events Cataclysmic Astronomy, Natural Disasters, and Alien Invasion
V) Why Prolong the Human Race? Surviving in space and Planetary colonization
“Space and Time, Love and Loss” Science Fiction Stories
Good science fiction is both good science and good fiction. In this learning community, we will read short
stories by the best writers in the field, writers who know the principles of physics as well as the
techniques of characterization and plot. We will discuss the stories from both a literary perspective,
focusing on the conflicts and complexities of the human condition, and a scientific perspective,
focusing on the physical rules that seem to structure our universe.
Telling Our Stories
Quantum Mechanics “Ripples in the Dirac Sea”
Classical Mechanics “Crucifixion Variations”
Relativity “Think Like a Dinosaur”
“Built Upon the Sands of Time”
“Beyond the Aquila Rift”
“On the Orion Line” Planetology
“Light of Other Days “ Nuclear Physics
“At the Rialto” Light and Optics
Assessment
All these classes have a 50 question post assessment with space for open ended comments.
Assessment
All these classes have a 50 question post assessment with space for open ended comments.
The results of these post-assessments are ridiculously good.
Assessment
All these classes have a 50 question post assessment with space for open ended comments.
The results of these post-assessments are ridiculously good.
In fact, too good!!
Assessment
All these classes have a 50 question post assessment with space for open ended comments.
The results of these post-assessments are ridiculously good.
In fact, too good!!
Is it possible that these classes have lapsed into a form of entertainment (or social activity) rather than an authentic
educational experience??
The Two Cultures Physics Coursea Pharmakon of
Science Education
Steve ZidesWofford College [email protected]
