Term Paper for Descriptive Astronomy

M.L.West

Assignment:

Choose a topic in astronomy which interests you. After reading from at least three different sources, describe and explain your subject. Topics must include some comparison, evaluation, and judgement. Include interesting details, historical background, ethical and social issues, and future prospects if that is relevant. Sample topics include Mayan Astronomy was Better than Babylonian Astronomy, Galileo was a Better Astronomer than Kepler, (--) Was an Under-appreciated Astronomer, Hubble Space Telescope was a Waste of Taxpayers Money, A Moon Colony Should be a High Priority, Our Next Spacecraft Should Explore (--), The Most Interesting World in the Solar System is (--), Red Giants are Not so Hot, Supernovae are the Way to Go, The Expansion of the Universe is Accelerating, etc.

Purpose:

To allow each student to "define" part of the course to fit his or her own interests. This assignment is to promote and encourage individual work and independent thinking. By comparing several sources you can judge the various claims and the evidence for them. Use what you know from other courses, especially in your major. Use reliable and recent references.

Audience:

Direct your paper to other students in the class, that is, to someone who is intelligent but naive in your topic.

Length and Format:

The paper should be 2000 words, typed, double spaced (~6 pages). Use a word processor since it makes revision so easy. Please use a grammar and spelling checker. You must include a bibliography page on which you list, alphabetically by author's last name, all the articles and books you have read from. At least one reference must be a book and at least one must be a magazine. Only one source may be an encyclopedia. For each entry include the author(s), title, city, publisher, year. As an example:

You should give a reference (Garlick, p 31) for any fact or idea that is very surprising to you or controversial to experts. Be sure to put ideas into your own words. Otherwise it is plagiarism and results in a grade of "F" and failing the course. Use direct quotations very sparingly (one per page at most). Please attach this page to your paper to show you have read it.

Grading criteria:

Weight will be given to the complexity of the topic covered and the depth in which it is covered. Superficial treatment or relatively simple topics will receive lower grades. Papers will be graded on the basis of form, content, and style. Form includes grammar, spelling, and punctuation. (If I have to exclaim "Proofread!" it will cost you one letter grade.) Content includes interest, accuracy, organization, scientific value, and proper citation of authorities. Style includes transitions, readability, and all the intangible things which make a good piece of prose.

Deadline:

Tuesday, November 22, 2005