nats1800: Syllabus

U n i v e r s i t é Y O R K U n i v e r s i t y
ATKINSON FACULTY OF LIBERAL AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
SCHOOL OF ANALYTIC STUDIES & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
S C I E N C E A N D T E C H N O L O G Y S T U D I E S

NATS 1800 6.0 SCIENCE AND EVERYDAY PHENOMENA

SYLLABUS

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." (Albert Einstein)

Outlines
Note: The entire set of lecture outlines is searchable: click on the Search button within each lecture. Searches are powered by the Searchlight java applet.

Recommended Readings
- There is obviously no single text that spans the scope of this course. In addition to texts that bear directly on the topics we will discuss in each lecture, there are a few important references to science and technology in general. The three titles below are strongly recommended.
- U M Franklin, The Real World of Technology. Revised Edition. Anansi, 1990, 1999.
- A F Chalmers, What is This Thing Called Science? An Assessment of the Nature and Status of Science and Its Methods. U of Queensland Press, 1976, 1994. From the back cover: "It is written clearly with a minimal use of technical terms… It successfully introduces the reader to basic issues, and it does so in a way that captures the interest of the reader and makes the issues seem real."
- One book that should be on everybody's shelves, no matter what you study, is a good dictionary. A dictionary is not an encyclopedia, but a first orientation tool which, for instance, tells you that 'algorithm' is not the latest style of hip-hop, but 'a procedure for solving mathematical problems.' You know then that to find more information on algorithms you should look in the mathematics—not in the music—section of the library. Get a good 'collegiate' dictionary, such as Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (11th edition, Merriam-Webster, 2003). This dictionary and the companion Thesaurus are also on line at http://www.m-w.com/dictionary.htm.

Suggested Readings
- J M Benyus, Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature. Perennial, 1997.
- M Buchanan, Ubiquity: The Science of History… Or Why the World is Simpler than We Think. Phoenix 2001.
- M Buchanan, Nexus: Small Worlds and the Groundbreaking Theory of Networks. W W Norton & Company 2002.
- M Chown, We Need to Talk about Kelvin. What Everyday Things Tell Us about the Universe. Faber and Faber, 2009.
- U M Franklin, The Real World of Technology. Revised Edition. Anansi 1990, 1999.
- M Gladwell, Blink. The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. Little, Brown and Company 2005.
- M Gladwell, The Tipping Point. How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. Little, Brown and Company 2000.
- W T Griffith, The Physics of Everyday Phenomena. A Conceptual Introduction to Physics. WCB 1992.
- R Highfield, The Physics of Christmas. Little Brown & Co. 1998.
- J Ingram, The Science of Everyday Life. Penguin 1991.
- R Parsons, How to Read a French Fry, and Other Stories of Intriguing Kitchen Science. Houghton Miffin Company 2001.
- S Perkovitz, Universal Foam: From Cappuccino to the Cosmos. Walker & Company 2000.
- C A Ronan, ed., Science Explained. The World of Science in Everyday Life. Holt & Company 1993.
- J Schwarcz, That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles: 62 All-New Commentaries on the Fascinating Chemistry of Everyday Life. ECW Press 2002.
- Readings from American Scientist, Science Daily, Scientific American (articles by J Walker), Technology and Culture, and many other sources (see next bullet) will be discussed as the course progresses. The use of the Internet is strongly encouraged, but the physical Library is still indispensable.
- More….

Evaluation
- Two written essays of approximately 1000 and 2000 words, respectively, on one of a number of assigned topics, worth 20% and 40%, respectively.
  The topics will be announced in plenty of time.
- A final exam worth 40%.
- Note : To learn how to format references to website (that is, how to 'cite' them), please consult the guidelines provided by York's Libraries. under 'eResources', where you will find a wealth of useful information.
- Note : Don't forget that York has several writing programs. In particular, check Atkinson's Essay Tutoring Centre. There are also many online resources, such as The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing, "for anyone who wants to write better."

Time and Location
- Tuesdays, 7 - 10 pm, Glendon Campus, Room YH 143
- The course will start on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 and will end on Tuesday, April 4, 2006
- Deadlines and other dates will be announced on the first day of classes. See also Essay Topics and Instructions. The exam date will be set and announced by the Registrar

| Back | Selected References |