PHYSICS/PHILOSOPHY 4450/5450 INFORMATION SHEET
Fall Semester 2007
Please note the change in the
reading schedule!
Instructors: Allan Franklin, Steve Wagner
Offices: Duane F-627 (
Telephone: (303) 492-8610 (
FAX: (303) 492-2998
E-mail:
Allan.Franklin@Colorado.edu
Stephen.Wagner@Colorado.edu
The URL for the Website for this course is
http://www.Colorado.EDU/physics/phys4450/
Office Hours:
Wagner, by appointment
Class Meetings: Tu-Th 12:30 – 1:45
PM Duane G1B27
For course policies on
disability, religious observances, discrimination, and the Honor Code (click here).
This will be a discussion course. Your attendance in class and participation in discussions is an important part of this course. Attendance will be taken. If you do not attend 75% of the class meetings your course grade will be lowered by one letter grade. Failure to attend 50% of time will result in a grade lowering of two letter grades.
Required Texts
1. Selectivity and Discord: Two Problems of Experiment Allan Franklin
2. What is this thing called Science? Alan Chalmers
3. Experiment in Physics (available on the web) CLICK HERE
You might wish to browse the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (available on the web) CLICK HERE
Course Requirements
Examinations
1. A take-home midterm exam, based on class readings and discussion. Date to be announced in class. The exam will be distributed at the end of class on a Thursday and be due at the beginning of class the following Tuesday.
2. Final Examination: Tuesday,
Dec. 18-- 10:30 AM -
3. Term Paper: Due Thursday, Dec. 13.
A research paper which includes both a historical account of an episode in the history of science along with a philosophical analysis is required. The episode should involve experiment and experimental evidence in a serious way. This paper will be the most important factor in determining your grade. The text of the paper should be at least 4000 words long, not including figures, footnotes, references etc. Because of its importance you should begin working on this paper early in the semester. Each student should choose the episode they plan to deal with by Sept. 27. You should consult with us before selecting your topic. A one page summary of your work and a list of references you have consulted are due, in writing, on Oct. 25. We suggest that the paper should be approximately 75% history and 25% analysis, but this is only a suggestion. Any instance of academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade for the course.
Graduate students are required to write a second paper on a philosophical subject. This paper should be approximately 2000 words in length. You might alternatively include a lengthier philosophical discussion in your historical paper. Please consult with us before doing so.
Homework
For each class assignment you
should send both of us an e-mail containing three
questions based on the readings. One should be on a point you found puzzling,
one on a point you found interesting, and the third can be any question. Turning
in these questions will count as part of your grade in the course. Questions
for Tuesday should reach us by 4PM on Monday, and for Thursday by 4 PM
Wednesday.
Extra Credit
1. We encourage you to form
discussion groups to discuss the readings and issues raised in class. If you
send us an e-mail with a summary of your discussions and the names of the
participants you will receive extra credit. You can achieve the same effect by
discussing the issues with us outside of class.
2. During the semester there will be
outside lectures on topics related to this class. These will be announced in
class. If you attend a lecture and write up a one page summary it will count as
extra credit, or make up for a missed class.
Tentative: They may be changed as we go along
Week of
8/27 Chalmers, Introduction, Chapters 1-2
9/3 Chalmers, Chapters 3-5
9/10 Chalmers, Chapters 6-9
9/17 Chalmers, Chapters 10,11, 13
9/24 Chalmers, Chapter 12 and Lectures on Bayesianism
10/1 Franklin, Selectivity and Discord, Introduction
10/8 Franklin, Chapter 1
10/15 Franklin, Chapters 2 and 3
10/22 Franklin, Chapter 4
10/29 Franklin Chapter 5
11/5 Franklin, Chapter 6
11/12 Franklin, Chapters7, 8
11/ 26 Franklin, Chapters 9, 10
12/3, 12/10 The Mendel-Fisher Controversy.