Science Honors Course – Spring Semester 2013

Fall 2012.

Date		Lecture	Topics	In-class Activity	Reading	Assignment Due
Jan 14	M	Natural Causes of Climate Change	orbital variations, sun spots, non-linearity, feedback, volcanoes, dissolved CO2, methane, meteors	Evaluate salt-water habitats and inhabitants
Jan 15	T	Finding and Using Support (2 h)	How to use examples, statistics, and expert testimony effectively to support presentation claims		Read Engleberg part 4 (sections 10-12; pp. 47-64); Engleberg part 8 (section 25; pp. 125-138); Heath chap. 2
Jan 15	T	What makes good science writing?		Prompt for Essay 1: Analyzing Science Writing. Prompt for Assignment 1: Student-led discussion.	Handout from the University of North Carolina Writing Center. "Tracks of an Oak Killer." How Scientists Should Write.
Jan 17	R	Natural Causes of Climate Change	ocean currents, continental drift, ENSO - James Wolfe, guest lecture
Jan 21	M	Project Day
Jan 22	T	Presentation Structure and Organization (2 h)	outlining, patterns of organization, transitions, effective introductions and conclusions. Discuss Presentation # 2		Read Engleberg part 5 (sections 13-17; pp. 65-88); part 6 (sections 18-20; pp. 89-100); Heath ch. 4
Jan 22	T	Workshop on Essay 1	Workshop instructions.	Sign up for a date to lead discussion.
Jan 24	R	Evidence of Climate Change	glaciers, ice cores, sediments, tree rings, flowering, migration patterns
Jan 28	M	Project Day
Jan 29	T	"If I had a million dollars..."	Introducing Assignment 2: The Proposal	Student-led discussion by Jon and Lynn. Prompt for Assignment 2: The Proposal.	"Finally--A Higgs Boson Story Anyone Can Understand." "Parachute use to prevent death and major trauma related to gravitational challenge: systematic review of randomised controlled trials." Reading and discussion questions.	Essay 1 due. Bring a hard copy to class.
Jan 31	R	Human Causes of Climate Change	Greenhouse gases & aerosols deforestation, desertification
Feb 4	M	Project Day
Feb 5	T	Proposing the proposal.		Student-led discussion by Tiffany and Gabrielle.	"The Sea Longs for Red Devils" "A Fragile Empire" Reading and discussion questions.
Feb 5	T	Presentation #2 (1.5 h)				Presentation # 2
Feb 7	R			Student-led discussion by Sarah and David. Prompt for the Annotated Bibliography.	"The Boy with the Thorn in His Joints." "The Covenant" (Skloot 284-302). Reading questions.	Proposal for Assignment 2 due.
Feb 7	R	Presentation #2 (1.5 h)				Presentation # 2
Feb 11	M	Skepticism of Climate Change	Student evaluation of data and arguments for and against anthropogenic climate change	Presentation and discussion of student findings. 20 minutes per topic	Guide to Climate Skepticism Debunking Myths Skeptics Guide to AGW
Feb 12	T			Student-led discussion by Rachel and RD.	"The Naica Project – A multidisciplinary study of the largest gypsum crystals of the world." The Selfish Gene. Read Chapter 2. Reading and discussion questions.	Annotated bibliography for Assignment 2 due.
Feb 12	T	Visual Support (1 h)	Using visual support to help explain and clarify ideas		Read Engleberg part 7 (section 24; pp. 118-124)
Feb 14	R	Effects of Climate Change	On genetic expression - Matthew Pelletier, guest lecture
Feb 18	M	Exam #1		Project Day
Feb 19	T		Beginning the Proposal draft.	Student-led discussion by Graham and Kyle.	"The Itsy Bitsy Drummer". "A Soft Spot for Circuitry" (Skloot 146-154). Reading and discussion questions. Instructions for beginning to draft your Proposal.	Notes for Assignment 2 due.
Feb 21	R	Effects of Climate Change	More on genetic expression and equilibrium - Matthew Pelletier / On human health	White paper on Human Health and Climate Change
Feb 25	M	Project Day
Feb 26	T			Workshop on Assignment 2, "The Proposal." Prompt for Essay 2: Narrative/Descriptive Essay.
Feb 26	T	Principles of Persuasion (2h)	Paths to persuasion (ethos, pathos, logos); patterns of reasoning; logical fallacies. Discuss presentation # 3		Read Engleberg part 8 (section 26; pp. 138-158); Engleberg part 10 (sections 30-34; pp. 187-214); Heath chaps. 5,6
Feb 28	R	FEBRUARY BREAK
Mar 4	M	Effects of Climate Change	On vegetation and animals
Mar 5	T			Workshop on the Narrative/Descriptive Essay. Student-led discussion by student Thomas and Shawna.	See Moodle for the selection from Shawna. See Moodle for the selection from Thomas. Reading/discussion questions.	Final draft of "Proposal" due.
Mar 7	R	Effects of Climate Change	On water habitats - James Wolfe, guest lecture
Mar 11	M	Christian Response to Climate Change	Special Guest Speaker - Mike Jordan	Discussion/debate?
Mar 12	T	Writing a press release.	Introduction to the Press Release assignment.	Student-led discussion by Mark and Laurel. Prompt for Assignment 3: The Press Release.	Cleared for (Vertical) Take-Off. Walking with Pumas. Reading/discussion questions.	Final draft of Narrative/Descriptive essay due.
Mar 14	R	Social and Political Aspects of Climate Change	Special Guest Speaker - Brian Webb	Research socio-political challenges, adaptation and mitigation strategies
Mar 18	M	Exam #2		Project Day
Mar 19	T	Presentation # 3: Debates				Presentation # 3 Debates
Mar 21	R	Presentation # 3: Debate. Discuss press briefing for balloon launch.				Presentation # 3 Debates
Mar 25	M	EASTER BREAK
Mar 26	T
Mar 28	R
Apr 1	M
Apr 2	T	Project Day
Apr 4	R	Project Day
Apr 8	M	Project Day
Apr 9	T	Project Day
Apr 11	R	Project Day
Apr 15	M	BALLOON LAUNCH I
Apr 16	T	BALLOON LAUNCH II
Apr 18	R	Project Day	data analysis
Apr 22	M	Discuss data/press briefing report. Discuss elevator speech.		in-class work on elevator speeches	Read Engleberg part 9 (sections 27-29; pp. 159-186)
Apr 23	T	Project Day
Apr 25	R	Project Day
Apr 29	M	Project Day		Analysis report due.		Press release due.
Apr 30	T	Clean-Up Day		Elevator speeches. Delivered to Prof. G during clean-up time		Elevator speech
May 3	F	Final Exam 8-10 am