This course will examine through careful reading and extensive discussion key issues and concepts in the quadrivium and physical sciences. Some issues explored will include motion, velocity, light, time, and space. Readings may include, but are not limited to works from Aristotle, Euclid, Archimedes, Boethius, Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Faraday, Einstein, and Hawking. Using threaded discussions, written posts, assignments, and online peer collaborative projects the student will develop thinking and reading skills.

Course Objectives:

1. Read select Great Books, as well as contemporary texts, related to the study of astronomy, geometry, arithmetic, and music.
2. Analyze and interpret these texts both individually and collaboratively.
3. Explain the arguments contained in these texts.
4. Perform select experiments as related to significant discoveries.

Texts: Provided PDF of Natural Science of Vol. 9 The Gateway to the Great Books
A New Natural Philosophy by Ravi Jain, Robbie Andreasen, and Chris Hall
What’s the Matter: Reading in Physics Published by the Great Books Foundation