Class Basics:

• San Jose State University
• The Nexus of Art and Science, Physics/MUSE 10B (section 1); Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1330-1445, Clark Hall, Room 133
• Fall semester, 2007
• Prof. Alejandro Garcia; Room 245, Science Bldg.
• Contact info: algarcia@algarcia.org ; (408) 924-5244
• Ofice hours: Tuesdays, 11:30am-12:30am Thursdays, 10:30am-11:30am; also by appointment.
• Course web site: www.algarcia.org/NexusFall07.html

Course description: The artist and the scientist share many common traits, such as a curiosity with the world and a creative spirit. For centuries the painter and the biologist have both studied human anatomy. In the same fashion all artists and scientists can benefit by examining the nexus of the physical sciences with the world of art and design. This course will examine a variety of topics for which these worlds of art and science overlap and complement each other.

How to Contact Your Professor and Peer Mentor: The best way to contact me is by e-mail (algarcia@algarcia.org); second best way is to phone my university office (408-924-5244). Finally, you may visit the Physics department office (Room 148, Science Bldg.) and leave something in my mailbox. Mr. Charles (Chuck) Pierce is the Peer Mentor for this MUSE seminar; you may contact Chuck by email: tehcheator@gmail.com.

Introduction to MUSE: University-level study is different from what you experienced in high school. The Metropolitan University Scholar’s Experience (MUSE) is designed to help make your transition into college a success by helping you develop the skills and attitude needed for the intellectual engagement and challenge of in-depth university-level study. Discovery, research, critical thinking, written work, attention to the rich cultural diversity of the campus, and active discussion will be key parts of this MUSE course. Enrollment in MUSE courses is limited to a small number of students because these courses are intended to be highly interactive and allow you to easily interact with your professor and fellow students. MUSE courses explore topics and issues from an interdisciplinary focus to show how interesting and important ideas can be viewed from different perspectives.

Learning Objectives and Activities for this Course: This course qualifies as an Area B1 (Physical Sciences) course in your General Education requirements. It is designed to enable you to achieve the following learning outcomes:

• To use methods of science and knowledge derived from current scientific inquiry in life or physical science to question existing explanations. [GE]
• To demonstrate ways in which science influences and is influenced by complex societies, including political and moral issues. [GE]
• To recognize methods of science, in which quantitative, analytical reasoning techniques are used. [GE]
• To understand the learning process and their responsibility and role in it. [MUSE]
• To know what it means to be a member of a metropolitan university community. [MUSE]

The following content and activities will be incorporated into the course as you engage in the subject matter of the course:

• Diversity: Issues of diversity shall be incorporated in an appropriate manner. [GE and MUSE]
• Writing: The minimum writing requirement is 1500 words in a language and style appropriate to the discipline. [GE]
• Demonstrate how scientists focus on laws of thermodynamics; structure of matter; interaction of matter and energy; behavior of physical systems through time; systems of classification; and physical processes of the natural environment. [GE]
• University scholar: Course activities should be designed to enable students to improve critical thinking skills, information competencies, critical writing and reading skills, and group interactions. [MUSE]
• University life: Students should attend workshops and participate in group activities to help them learn about university resources and activities and to improve in areas they have identified. [MUSE]

Course Text and Materials: Given the breadth of topics and the interdisciplinary nature of the course, there is no single text that would be appropriate. Selected articles and readings have been collected (see Calendar for Reading Assignments). In most cases the articles we be from the course reader, which you should purchase from the AS Copy Shop. In a few instances you will develop your research skills by locating the materials in the library or on-line.a

Course Grading Guidelines: You will write two short term papers (each 2-3 pages, typed, approximate 750 words) and give one short oral presentation (10 minutes) in class. On three occasions, spread across the semester, a third of the class will give oral presentations with the rest of the class turning in term papers (see Calendar). Suitable topics for papers and presentations will be discussed in class. Here is a sample term paper that you may downloaded as an: MS Word document ; Acrobat PDF file. Here are sample slides for a comparable 10 minute presentation on the same topic: PowerPoint slides.

There will also be a final exam (essay format) and a variety of in-class activities (pop quizzes, short experiments, team contests, etc.) for you to participate in. Absolutely no late work will be accepted; if you don’t finish an assignment, turn in what you’ve got. No work may be made up but you may miss two homework assignments with no penalty. If an assignment is due and you are unable to come to class, you may send it to me by e-mail but I must receive it before the start of class.

Each of the papers, the oral presentation, total in-class participation, and homework will be letter-graded (from A+ to F) and each counts towards 20% of your grade. The final exam will be based on homework assignments and will be counted as two homework assignments.

There will also be a variety of opportunities for extra credit, in fact I encourage you to suggest suitable extra credit assignments that interest you (e.g., visiting the “Science of Music” exhibition at the Exploratorium in San Francisco).

Finally, your participation in the MUSE workshops and activities will affect your grade; poor participation (attending fewer than two workshops) will drop you by a letter grade and documented, active participation may raise your course grade by half a letter grade.

Ethics: Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San José State University, and the University’s Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty are required to report all infractions to the Office of Judicial Affairs. The policy on academic integrity can be found on the SJSU website.

Disabilities: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities register with DRC to establish a record of their disability.

Emergencies: If you hear a continuous alarm or are told to evacuate the building, walk quickly to the nearest stairway at the end of each hall. Do not use the elevator. Take your personal belongings with you. Be quiet and follow instructions. Move away from the building and do not return until informed by police or coordinators.