The Subject is the title of the cover story on the Middlebury Magazine,
Summer 2001 issue, from Middlebury College (VT). It is interesting to read
the account of Physics 101, Rich Wolfson's attempt to bend time and space
to bring Einstein to life for increasing numbers of students by focusing on
relativity and quantum physics. According to the article, the big ideas are
explored in all their complexity and with all of their philosophical
implications, minimizing the mathematical proofs and calculations, in a
state-of-the-art science building as one of the "foundation" courses
designed to give non-specialists a historical and philosophical overview of
the basics in a given field of science.
The Teaching Company has made a videotape of the course to try to capture
some of the showman, clown, and genius that draws students who otherwise
stay away from science courses. Some of the events described are on every
body's list of things to do with bowling balls and fire extinguishers, but
his real need is to engage students minds in ways that harness his double
major academic preparation in physics and philosophy.
Just as all the "old hands" gather each summer at the national AAPT meeting
to watch the demonstration show -- of things they have often done
themselves -- I would like a chance to view these tapes if someone on this
list could make them available.