UGS 302: Astronomy and the Humanities Unique number: 63525
Fall 2011
-----------------------------------------------------------------------COURSE SYLLABUS
Description: Astronomy, one of the original seven liberal arts, has been integrated by
countless generations of artists, authors, and musicians into their works. Examining
astronomy's deep influence on other areas of human culture helps illuminate our
understanding of the universe. In this course we'll explore astronomical examples in the
visual arts, fiction (including science fiction), poetry, music, and drama and the underlying
science concepts found in these works.
Prerequisite: This course is designed for first-semester freshmen. The course contains a
substantial writing component and fulfills part of the basic education requirement in writing.
Course Objectives
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To introduce students to the nature, process, and practices essential to scholarly
study of a topic (including Information Literacy)
To exercise and strengthen writing and oral presentation skills.
To investigate the nature of the scientific process.
To discuss how humanities are influenced by science
To explore the resources of the University (including GEMS and University
Lecture)
Meeting times/locations (unless otherwise announced)
Monday
Wednesday
3:00-4:00 PM
3:00-4:50 PM
MAI 220F
MAI 220F
University Lecture Series
Monday September 12
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Bass Concert Hall
Instructor
Name: Dr. Mary Kay Hemenway
Office: RLM 13.126
Office hours: Tuesday 9-10:30 AM, unless otherwise announced, or by appointment
Phone: 512-471-1309
E-mail: marykay@astro.as.utexas.edu
Peer Mentor
Name: Ashley M Hernandez
E-mail: ash.hernandez89@gmail.com
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Required textbooks/readings
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Stars and Planets by Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion. ISBN 978-0-691-13556-4 (fourth
edition)
Galileo a play by Bertolt Brecht. ISBN 0 802 13059 3.
What Every Student should Know About Preparing Effective Oral Presentations by Martin R
Cox ISBN 0205505457
Recommended
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DarkMatter: Poems of Space edited by M. Riodan and S. B. Burnell ISBN 19030810X
Microsoft Office (available at a discount for UT students at Campus Computer
Store) if you have your own computer. If you don't have your own computer, it is
available on all public access computers on campus.
A flash-drive. Many students may choose to use PowerPoint for their presentations.
Students may store their presentations on their UT webspace or bring it to class on a
flash drive. A PC and a Mac are available in the classroom for presentations.
Other materials. Other materials (e.g., art work, links to literature or poetry, and study
guides) are listed on the Blackboard site for this class; these materials support student
research. Students making oral presentations may request that other members of the class
read or examine appropriate works prior to their presentation. The music passages require a
UT EID and password to stream to your computer. (If you are using a public computer,
bring your own earphones.) Study guides on how to write papers, look at art, listen to music,
and analyze science are also included. These are also intended for students to use as they
prepare their oral or written presentations.
University of Texas Honor Code
The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom,
leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is
expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect
toward peers and community.
General advice
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Preparation: I expect you to come to class prepared. Please check the
Blackboard site for this class at least three times a week.
Study Habits: Study wisely and ask for help if you need it. If you have questions,
please see me.
In class: Pay attention. Turn off your cell phone. If you bring a computer, don't
surf. Be respectful of others even when you disagree with them. Class
participation grades include your willingness to offer informed comments during
discussion. (Quality is as important as quantity.) Effective listening is normally a
prerequisite for effective class participation.
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Writing: I expect you to write your own papers, prepare your own presentations,
and to cite your sources correctly.
When you make a presentation, show your pride in your work by dressing
appropriately.
Class overview
Astronomical topics to be covered include: Appearance and motions of the sky (e.g.
constellations, stellar magnitudes, moon phases, seasons), motions and characteristics of
planets and solar system objects, tools of the astronomer, important historical milestones in
astronomy (e.g., Ptolemy, Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, Herschel, Leavitt, Hubble),
life history of stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Parallel to the astronomical topics is an
exploration of how artists and authors used these topics as inspiration in poetry, literature,
music, visual arts, drama, and science fiction.
Schedule and reading assignments (subject to change)
Date
Topic
August 24
Introductions
August 29
Night Sky
August 31
Night Sky
Sept 7
Sun and Moon
Sept 12
Explore UT
Sept 12
EVENING: University Lecture
Sept 14
Sun and Moon
Sept 19
Tools of Astronomy
Sept 21
Tools of Astronomy
Sept 26
Tools of Astronomy
Sept 28
Solar System
Oct. 3
Solar System
Oct 5
Library workshop (PCL 1.124)
Oct 10
History of Astronomy
Oct 12
Brecht's Galileo
Oct 17
Galileo discussion
Oct 19
HRC field trip
Oct 24
Stars and stellar evolution
Oct 26
Stars and stellar structure
Oct 31
Extra-solar planets
Nov 2
Habitable planets
Nov 7
Galaxies
Nov 9
Galaxies and the Universe
Nov 14
Cosmology
Nov 16
Blanton Art Museum field trip
Nov 21
Field trip discussion
Nov 23
No class (replace September 12 University Lecture attendance)
Nov 28
Term paper reports
Nov 30
Term paper reports
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Notes on Field trips: Three field trips are scheduled during class time throughout the
semester, plus one University Lecture outside of class time.
a. Library workshop (5 October in PCL 1.124). You will learn how to find references for
your term paper at this session.
b. BLANTON MUSEUM OF ART (16 November)
http://www.blantonmuseum.org/
As the art museum of a major research university, the Blanton Museum exhibits and
maintains works of art to further teaching and research. The museum houses 17,000 objects
in a new facility that was completed in 2006. Its collections represent four broad areas,
including American and Contemporary, Latin American Art, European Paintings, and Prints
and Drawings.
c. HARRY RANSOM HUMANITIES RESEARCH CENTER (19 October)
http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/
The HRC is one of the premier cultural institutions in the world. Holding more than 45
million items, the extensive collections include 36 million literary manuscripts, one million
rare books, five million photographs, and over 100,000 works of art. Highlights include the
Gutenberg Bible (c. 1455), the First Photograph (c. 1826), important paintings by Frida
Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and major manuscript collections of James Joyce, Ernest
Hemingway, T.S. Eliot, D.H. Lawrence, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and Tennessee Williams, to
name but a few. The Center is used extensively for research by scholars from around the
world and presents numerous exhibitions and events showcasing its collections. Exhibitions
and events are free and open to the public.
d. University Lecture Series. All Signature Course students are required to attend at least of
the University Lectures. This class will attend: Showcase of Student Talent (Filmmakers). If you
physically miss the lecture, it will be posted on-line for viewing. You will be expected to
either attend the lecture or view it on-line prior the writing assignment that involves this
event.
Optional Events:
Star Party. RLM roof (Wednesday night when UT is in session, weather permitting) or
Painter Hall (Friday/Saturday nights when UT is in session, weather permitting – not on
football game evenings). Call 512-232-4265 for weather cancellation information about 30
minutes before the scheduled start time. Start times vary with the seasons.
In-class presentations: Students will lead discussions of course content throughout the
semester as assigned. Each student will make two presentations (one each involving two
different areas of the humanities; for example, you might choose poetry for one area and
science fiction for another) related to the astronomical topics as appropriate for the dates
listed. Students will also make a brief presentation concerning their term papers in class on
November 28 and 30. Grading rubrics for oral presentations will be posted on Blackboard.
Writing Assignments: Since this is a substantial writing component course, most of the
grade will be determined from your assignments. Papers are to be produced on a word
processor double-spaced in a 12-point font and margins of 1.25 inches. Citations and
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bibliography, when appropriate, are to be included. Style guidelines and grading rubrics for
the term paper will be posted on Blackboard. There will be a 10% penalty for late
assignments. Assignments more than three days late receive a zero as a grade.
You will submit your papers on-line. Directions will be given in class for how to submit
papers for peer review and how to submit the final paper to the instructor for grading.
Please name each paper with your last name plus an underscore character plus the number
of the paper (from 1-6); for example, kepler_4.doc would be Johnny Kepler's fourth paper in
this class. Each paper will be returned to you with comments using the Comment feature of
Microsoft WORD. Each of the six short assignments is worth 5% of the total grade. You
will also receive participation credit for the peer reviews you do of other student papers.
Paper deadlines: Sept 2, Sept 14, Sept 21, Sept 30 (also listed below as part of preparation for
the term paper), Oct 10 (annotated bibliography for the term paper), Oct 19 (summaries to
support term paper).
Detailed instructions for the term paper and grading rubrics will be listed on the Blackboard
site. All submissions are to be made on Blackboard. Here are some important dates:
 On 30 September, the writing assignment in which you describe the proposed area
of research and topic for your term paper topic is due by 5 PM.
 On 28 October, the term paper research proposal (minimum 4 pages) and list of
references (at least four scholarly references) is due by 5 PM.
 On 10 November, the first draft of the paper is due by 5 PM. This draft will be peer
reviewed as well as reviewed with comments returned by the instructor.
 Peer reviews of the term paper are due by 15 November at 11:59PM.
 The final draft is due by 19 November at 11:59PM.
Helpful website for research
UT libraries: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/students/
Special Library Collections:
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THE FINE ARTS LIBRARY
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/fal/index.html
The Fine Arts Library (FAL) contains the art and music collections and most of the
theatre and dance materials. The Fine Arts Library collection includes approximately
300,000 books and scores, 900 current serial subscriptions, 36,000 compact discs,
4,400 videocassettes and videodiscs, 6,200 reels of microfilm, and 24,000 microfiche.
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PHYSICS, MATH, ASTRONOMY LIBRARY
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/pma/
The John M. Kuehne Physics Mathematics Astronomy Library (PMA) serves the
physics, mathematics, and astronomy information needs of the entire university
community, as well as the research information needs of the Physics, Mathematics,
and Astronomy departments.
Exams
There are none. Class assignments are offered as participation credit.
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Grading system
Grades are assigned on a point basis.
Oral class presentations (two)
Writing Assignments (six)
Assignment: term paper research proposal/draft
Term paper
Class participation (including attendance)
Peer editing
Oral presentation of term paper
15%
30%
10%
20%
10%
10%
5%
Grading scale used for final grades:
B+
C+
D+
89% - 87%
79% - 77%
69-68%
A
B
C
D
F
100-94%
86-84%
76%-74%
67-66%
Below 65%
ABCD-
93-90%
83-80%
73-70%
65%
Documented Disability Statement
Please notify me of any modification/adaptation you may require to accommodate a
disability-related need. The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate
academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information,
contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259 (voice) or 232-2937 (video phone)
or http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd
Use of E-Mail for Official Correspondence to Students
E-mail is recognized as an official mode of university correspondence; therefore, you are
responsible for reading your e-mail for university and course-related information and
announcements. You are responsible to keep the university informed about changes to your
e-mail address. You should check your e-mail regularly and frequently—I recommend daily,
but at minimum twice a week—to stay current with university-related communications,
some of which may be time-critical. You can find UT Austin’s policies and instructions for
updating your e-mail address at http://www.utexas.edu/its/policies/emailnotify.php
UT LEARNING CENTER and UT WRITING CENTER
You may find assistance with specific strategies to help you study effectively at the Sanger
Learning and Career Center. The Sanger Center offers a range of services to become a
better student through assistance in one-on-one tutoring, academic counseling, and other
classes. For more information see http://lifelearning.utexas.edu/
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I strongly encourage you to use the Undergraduate Writing Center, FAC 211, 471-6222,
http://www.uwc.utexas.edu/. The Undergraduate Writing Center offers free, individualized,
expert help with writing for any UT undergraduate, by appointment or on a drop-in basis.
Any undergraduate enrolled in a course at UT can visit the UWC for assistance with any
writing project. They work with students from every department on campus, for both
academic and non-academic writing. Whether you are writing a lab report, a resume, a term
paper, a statement for an application, or your own poetry, UWC consultants will be happy to
work with you. Their services are not just for writing with "problems." Getting feedback
from an informed audience is a normal part of a successful writing project. Consultants help
students develop strategies to improve their writing. The assistance they provide is intended
to foster independence. Each student determines how to use the consultant's advice. The
consultants are trained to help you work on your writing in ways that preserve the integrity
of your work.
Policies: Attendance and Official Dates
Regular attendance is required. For grading purposes, you may have one unexcused absence.
Freshmen may be dropped from a course following two unexcused absences. To obtain an
excused absence, contact the instructor before the class.
Religious Holy Days
By UT Austin policy, you must notify me of your pending absence at least fourteen days
prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an
examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, I will
give you an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the
absence.
Other important dates:
 29 August: Last day of official add/drop period
 9 September: Last day to drop and receive a refund
 21 September: Last day to drop a course without a possible academic penalty
 1 November: Last day, with dean's approval, to withdraw from the University or
drop a course except for urgent and substantiated, nonacademic reasons. This is also
the last day to change to Pass/Fail registration. If you have non-academic problems,
see a counselor in your Dean's Office immediately.
 30 November: Last class day for this class.
Policy on Scholastic dishonesty
Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary
penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the
University. Standards for Academic Integrity are posted at
http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php
If you use words or ideas that are not your own you must cite your sources.
Otherwise you will be guilty of plagiarism.
Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL)
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If you are worried about someone who is acting differently, you may use the Behavior
Concerns Advice Line to discuss by phone your concerns about another individual’s
behavior. This service is provided through a partnership among the Office of the Dean of
Students, the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), the Employee Assistance
Program (EAP), and The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD). Call 512-2325050 or visit http://www.utexas.edu/safety/bcal
Safety concerns
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Occupants of buildings on The University of Texas at Austin campus are required to evacuate
buildings when a fire alarm is activated or an official announcement is given.
Evacuation procedures require orderly exiting and assembly outside.
Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each classroom and building you may occupy.
Remember that the nearest exit door may not be the one you used when entering the building.
Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructor in writing during the first
week of class.
During an evacuation — follow the instructions of faculty or class instructors.
Do not re-enter a building unless given instructions by the following: Austin Fire Department, The
University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or the Fire Prevention Services.
Public Outreach in the Astronomy Department
The times of the following events vary throughout the semester and are especially affected
by our move from Daylight Savings Time. Call 471-5007 for further information and
updates. (The phone message is updated weekly.)
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Astronomy Department Star Parties will be held at the 16-inch telescope on the
top of RLM every clear Wednesday of the semester that UT is in session,
beginning on 31 August.
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The 9-inch telescope in Painter Hall is open every clear Friday and Saturday night
of the semester that UT is in session (except some football game nights).
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You can learn to use the 9-inch Painter Hall Telescope. You can learn how at
http://outreach.as.utexas.edu/students/painter.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------------Fall Semester 2011
23 August 2011
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