Journey of the Universe
Course Description
The course will introduce the origin and evolution of the universe, life, and civilization. The universe and life will be discussed not only in the scientific perspective, but also in the perspective of humanities. Topics such as the formation and evolution of the universe, galaxies, stars, and planets, extrasolar life and habitable zone, quantum mechanical interpretation of consciousness, and the anthropic principle will be covered. The course will include three-hour astronomy lab activities. The emergence of humans and our role today amid many global challenges will also be a key focus of the course. How can we contribute to the unfolding process of the flourishing of the Earth community?
Instructors
Mary Tucker () & John Grim ()
Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar, Yale University
Sungsoo Kim ()
Professor, KHU
Jeong-Eun Lee ()
Professor, KHU
Week 1 (Sungsoo Kim)
Day 1. The universe: From microscopic to macroscopic worlds
The universe seen through microscopes and telescopes
The universe as a gigantic laboratory
Various scales of space and time
The humbleness and instantaneousness of the human world
Observatories in the world
Day 2. Consciousness and the universe
The universe as a result of consciousness
The quantum enigma
Quantum mechanical interpretation of consciousness
Day 3. Modern cosmology
The 21st century cosmology
Inflation and accelerated expansion
Cosmic microwave background radiation
Dark matter and dark energy
The universe in the far future
Day 4. Philosophical cosmology
What was there before the big bang?
Is the universe infinite?
Is the life on Earth a miracle? The anthropic principle
What do we do when we encounter intelligent aliens? Exopolitics
Day 5. Astronomy of thousands of years ago: Archeaoastronomy
Astronomical records in books, tombs and dolmens
Solar eclipse records in historical books
Planetarium tour
Week 2 (Mary TuckerJohn Grim)
Website:
Materials:Journey Film, Book, Conversations, Curriculum
Day 1 Viewing the film
Background discussion–
Why was the film made?
Why was Samos chosen for filming?
What are the film’s objectives?
How is this different from other science films?
What did you learn from the film?
How did you feel after watching it?
Day 2 Lecture and Discussion of Journey Film
Lecture on Philosophical Cosmology- “Living in a Universe”
Discussion – Study the curriculum for Emerging Earth Community
Day 3 Reading and discussion of the Journey book
In what way does each chapter compare to the film?
What scientific facts and what poetic metaphors are used?
Take two chapters and study the questions posed for them
Day 4 Viewing the Journey conversations - Scientists
Discussion –
Study the curriculum for Stars, Solar System, Life’s Emergence
Day 5 Viewing the Journey conversations - Environmentalists
Discussion – Prepare to report on two of the conversations from 9-20
Week 3 (Jeong-Eun Lee)
Day 1. Inspiration of astronomy to human life
Astronomy in myths
Astronomy in arts
Astronomy in movies
Day 2. Our home: the solar system and the earth
The Ptolemaic model and the Copernican model
Discoveries by Galileo Galilei
Kepler’s three laws
Day 3. Are we alone in the universe?
Kepler Mission: Search for earth-like extrasolar planets
Habitability and Habitable zone
Drake equation: how many technological civilizations would exist in the Milky Way galaxy?
Human efforts to search for extra-terrestrial intelligence
Day 4. Extra-terrestrial life
Astrobiology: the definition of life
Life in extreme conditions
Solar system exploration for extra-terrestrial life
Day 5. Stars as the origin of life
Star formation from the interstellar medium
The evolution of stars from birth to death: the factory of elements
Planet formation in protoplanetary disks