This seminar will explore one of a variety of subjects in greater depth than in introductory courses. Possible topics include stars, galaxies, the solar system, the interstellar medium, relativity and cosmology, history of astronomy, observational astronomy, and life in the universe.

This course will examine the cultural expressions of astronomy across the globe and throughout history (including our modern era). We will study how astronomy has influenced (or been influenced by) calendars, language, literature/mythology/folklore/entertainment (including science fiction), agriculture & cuisine, arts (visual, performing, crafts), fashion (clothing and body art), architecture, religion, politics, economics, and of course science. We will take a dip into archeoastronomy and examine how astronomy is used to interpret artifacts from ancient cultures. We will study some of the famous ruins of ancient civilizations (Newgrange, Stonehenge, the Giza Necropolis, Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu, Pueblo Bonito, etc.) for their alignments to astronomical events and examine ways to interpret the meaning placed on these alignments by each culture. We will begin by exploring the apparent motions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars in the sky and the motions of Earth and these bodies through space that explain our ground-based point of view. To better understand the context of modern astronomical influences in culture, we will also briefly review the state of our knowledge about the lives of stars, the nature of planetary systems, and the evolution of the Cosmos.

Repeat Rules

Requirements class fulfills