The Two Cultures Physics Course a Pharmakon of Science Education Steve Zides Wofford College

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 Approach Integrate 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 Edge Philosophical and Scientific Perspectives on Cataclysmic Events Physical Aesthetics Scientific 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 World The Poetics and Oedipus The Scientific Revolution Reading the Mind of God, Starry Messenger, and Leap 19 th Century Science Arcadia, Darwin in Malibu, and The Enemy of the People 20 th Century Science Copenhagen, 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” “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 “Ripples in the Dirac Sea” Quantum Mechanics “Ripples in the Dirac Sea” “Crucifixion Variations” Classical Mechanics “Crucifixion Variations” “Think Like a Dinosaur” Relativity “Think Like a Dinosaur” “Built Upon the Sands of Time” “Built Upon the Sands of Time” “Beyond the Aquila Rift” “Beyond the Aquila Rift” “On the Orion Line” “On the Orion Line” Planetology “Light of Other Days “ “Light of Other Days “ Nuclear Physics “At the Rialto” “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 Course a Pharmakon of Science Education Steve Zides Wofford College