College of the Redwoods
EXPERIMENTAL COURSE
Proposal and Outline
Date: 9/10/06
COURSE DISCIPLINE AND NUMBER: ASTRO 88
COURSE TITLE: Astronomy Seminar: Current Issues in Astronomy
Is this the first time this course has been offered?
TOTAL UNITS: 1 [Lecture Units:
TOTAL HOURS: 18 [Lecture Hours:
1
18
The second time?
Lab Units:
Lab Hours:
]
]
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 25
GRADING:
Submitted by:
Grade Only
CR/NC Only
Jon Pedicino
CR/NC Option
Tel. Ext. 4232
Division Chair: Tony Sartori
Date: 9/10/06
Review Date: 9/14/06
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE USE ONLY
Approved by Curriculum Committee: No
Academic Senate Approval Date:
Yes
Date: 10/13/06
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
Should clearly state the scope of the course, its level, and what student goals the course is designed to fulfill.
A course examining current issues in Astronomy. Topics may include astrobiology,
black holes, is Pluto a planet, rovers on Mars, and cosmology.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
What should students be able to do as a result of taking this course? State some of the objectives in terms of
specific, measurable student accomplishments.
1. Identify current issues at the forefront of modern astronomy.
2. Provide sound reasoning in support of a particular argument.
3. Recognize the strengths or weaknesses of a particular avenue of research or
interpretation of data.
4. Critically analyze data and conclusions.
5. Identify prevalent vocabulary in the field.
COURSE CONTENT
Attach a copy of the course syllabus (including description, policies, and schedule of instruction and assignments).
Attached.
Approved: 2.11.05 (rev. 9/5/06)
Academic Senate Approved: 3.2.05
Page 1
May 29, 2016
REPRESENTATIVE LEARNING ACTIVITIES
What will students be doing (e.g., listening to lectures, participating in discussions and/or group activities, attending
a field trip)? Relate the activities directly to the Course Learning Outcomes.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Reading current articles in the field of Astronomy.
Listening to short lectures on backround material.
Analyzing the research and identifying strengths and weaknesses.
Participating in group discussions.
ASSESSMENT TASKS
How will students show evidence of achieving the Course Learning Outcomes?
1. Active participation in class discussions.
2. Presenting an overview of a particular topic that the class will discuss.
3. Writing one or more essays that critically analyze and/or desribe an avenue of
research or a particular data set and its long term goals for the field.
PREREQUISITES
No
Yes
Course: ASTRO 10
Rationale for Prerequisite?
Describe representative skills without which the student would be highly unlikely to succeed.
Students should have already taken Astronomy 10 in order to have familiarized
themselves with the terminology and pressing questions at the forefront of modern
Astronomy.
COREQUISITES
No
Yes
Rationale for Corequisite:
Course:
RECOMMENDED PREPARATION
No
Yes
Course:
Rationale for Recommended Preparation:
EXAMPLES OF APPROPRIATE TEXTS OR OTHER READINGS: Title, Author, and Date are required.
Author www.space.com Title Is Pluto a planet? Date 8/06
Author www.spacedaily.com Title Astrobiology: The search for life in the universe Date 9/06
Author
Title
Date
Author
Title
Date
Other Appropriate Readings:
From magazines at the level of Scientific American, geared towards the educated public.
Approved: 2.11.05 (rev. 9/5/06)
Academic Senate Approved: 3.2.05
Page 2
May 29, 2016
FOR VPAA USE ONLY
PROGRAM AND COURSE NUMBER ASTRO-88
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
1. Department: SCI Science
2. Subject: ASTRO
16. CoRequisite Course: none
Course No: 88
17. CoRequisite Noncourse: none
3. Credit Type: D Credit Degree Applicable
18. Maximum Class Size: 25
4. Min/Maximum Units: 1.0 to
19. Repeat/Retake: NR No repeats
variable units
5. Course Level: E Not Occupational
20. Count Retakes for Credit:
yes
no
6. Academic Level: UG Undergraduate
21. Only Pass/No Pass:
yes
no
7. Grade Scheme: UG Undergraduate
22. Allow Pass/No Pass:
yes
no
8. Short Title: Astro Seminar: Current Issues in Astro
23. VATEA Funded Course:
yes
no
9. Long Title: Astronomy Seminar: Current Issues in
Astronomy
24. Accounting Method: W Weekly Census
25. Disability Status: N Not a Special Class
10. National ID (CIP): 40.0201
26. Billing Method: T-Term
11. Local ID (TOPS): 191100
27. Billing Period: R-Reporting Term
12. Course Types:
 Level One Basic Skills: NBS Not Basic Skills

Level Two Work Experience:
NWE Not Coop Work Experience
28. Billing Credits: 1.0
29. Purpose: A Liberal Arts Sciences
30. Articulation No. (CAN):

Level Three:
Placeholder for GE OR
31. Articulation Seq. (CAN):
Choose One:
32. Transfer Status: B Transfers to CSU only

Level Four: If GE : Choose One:
33. Equates to another course?
course number.
13. Instructional Method: LEC Lecture and/or Discussion
14. Inst Ld (TLUs): 1.5
Contact Hours: 18
15. Prerequisite: none
Particular Comments for Printed Schedule.
.
Approved: 2.11.05 (rev. 9/5/06)
Academic Senate Approved: 3.2.05
Page 3
May 29, 2016