.. Conceptual Physics courses

[LUDWIK KOWALSKI <KOWALSKIL@alpha.montclair.edu>]

Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 13:38 -0600
From: "Rauber, Joel              Phys" <RAUBERJ@mg.sdstate.edu>
Subject: An immodest proposal - Conceptual physics courses

> *If* the Conceptual Physics course is intended to be a cultural course
> for non-science majors, one of whose purposes is to raise the level of 
> scientific literacy; often used to satisfy core science requirements; then 
> I'm of the opinion that it shouldn't exist as such.  I'd rather see an 
> interdisclipinary course (or sequence) that would fullfill this role and 
> be call something like "Science 101". This course ought to be a year long 
> and involve Physics, Chemistry, Biology and probably earth science with a 
> little astronomy thrown in.  I just don't think it is appropriate for a 
> student to take a one semester conceptual physics course and then bless 
> them as being now scientifically literate.
>                                               Joel

I disagree. The text I am using for the second year now (Conceptual 
Science by Hewit, Suchocki and Hewit) was written for the course you
suggests. It has everything you say but I have only one semester for it.
Even if I had the whole year I would have no time to cover many topics.
Focusing on Part 1 (Mechanics) and Part 2 (Heat) is very appropriate to
present a SAMPLE for an "appreciation of science" course. Even non-
physists would agree that there is something very unique and universal 
in this selection of topics. If I had another semester I would do light 
and electricity only. Physics is a queen of sciences and mechanics is
the prince of physics. The cultural depth of mechanics, and its numerous
technological and philosophical links, are worth exploring in a cultural
curse.