Space, Time and Motion

Throughout history, fascinated observers have grappled with questions concerning the physical origin, workings, and behavior of the universe. In this course, essays, online interaction, streaming video, and web resources are used to trace this historic path of discovery and exploration. Changing understandings of motion, time, space, matter, and energy are studied through the ideas of the ancient Greek philosophers, Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein. Topics studied include: the concepts of motion, relativity and gravity; and the discoveries and ideas of Einstein and other major thinkers in the field of physical science.The course utilizes a diverse array of Museum instructional resources in a structured distance-learning environment. This course is offered in partnership with the American Museum of Natural History.

Fall, Spring