GOALS

The goals of the course are to introduce the Humanities major to the joys of physics. Physics is the study of matter, energy and transformations between them.  Since matter and energy exist in space and time, the study of physics is intimately tied to the very nature of space and time.  Physics begins with Aristotle, Leucippius and Democritus and Archmedes in ancient times and finds new impetus in classical physics, as expounded by Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton.  But physics discoveries in the last two centuries or so have completely revolutionized our understanding of the universe we live.  In fact, modern science has ushered in a new evolutionary epoch, the epoch of truly intelligent homo sapiens. With the new empowerment has come the sense that we might finally be the masters of our own evolution, but at the same time we have achieved the ability to destroy all human civilization as we know it. Science may lead us, but I think it is humanities that will save us from ourselves. Therefore, I think it is very important for the vast majority of humanity to be aware of the advances we are making in science and technology.  I have accepted the challenge to teach this course so that I may be able to write a book for all humanities major in a couple of years.