• Do I have to know much mathematics?
    I will presume that you can follow an "algebraic argument." I'll not require calculus, but will talk a bit about it when we get to Newton. You'll be fine, although if you've not had math in a while, you might benefit from some at-home redoing of any derivations I do in class. There won't be many, but when they happen, they illustrate important ideas.
  • What browser is best?
    You'll need a modern >v4.x browser, Firefox, Camino, Safari, Omniweb, or Mozilla...or, if you have to, Internet Explorer. Cascading style sheets (CSS) are used throughout as is considerable Javascript.
  • What word processor do you recommend?
    Some of your assignments will be written. Generally, they should be turned in on paper...just too many files. But, for the odd circumstance, electronically as attachments in Microsoft Word (or rtf) format is fine. Now, I know that there are some colleges (I think Social Science?) that actually use Word Perfect. So, here's the deal. If not MS Word, you need to save out your written work in Rich Text Format (rtf) or make a pdf file (see next) out of it and send that.
  • How do you grade writing?
    After a lifetime of taking and given physics problems as homework, I admit that I find grading writing projects difficult. Here's how I do it, unless otherwise warned:
    I assign what I call a     RACM score...suppose it is a 10 point assignment, then it might look something like this:








    R = "readability," 2pts [This includes presence of introduction, conclusion, how it flows]
    A = "accuracy," 3pts [This covers factual accuracy...could be the physics, could be the philosophy or history.]
    C = "completeness," 4pts [This is roughly: how much effort did you put into the project? Did you use sources from the optional reading material? Outside material? A minimum effort is...a shame.]
    M = "mechanics," 1 pt [Spelling, punctuation, citing references properly, by now, you know the drill.]
    At the top of your paper, then, you'll maybe see:
    RACMex
    suggesting a pretty good effort.
  • What do you expect in terms of writing?
    I would like for the essay writing that you do to be of high quality. While I don't teach it, I know it when I see it! So, please do the following:
    • For hand-in papers, use a word processor, preferably Microsoft Word...not Word 2007 or 2008. Use 1" margins and no smaller than 10pt fonts.
    • Always write using complete sentences.
    • Always write using proper grammar and spelling.
    • Always proofread. Do what I do, ask someone you trust to read what you wrote. Read them out loud...that helps.
    • Format your papers so that A) you have introductory and concluding paragraphs and B) a paper body that presents the development of your thesis in a logical manner. I like lists and bullets if they make things clear. However, don't use lists just a a way to introduce white space!
    • There should be a bibliography with properly cited resources that you used in the paper, including electronic citations for web sites. However, be sure that you don't end up relying on some middle school kid's homework - be discriminating in your web research.
    • Take your writing seriously.
    Short papers will require discipline and, well, short paragraphs. Therefore, your introductions and conclusions, for example, will need to be succinct.
    Here are some sites that have grammar, citation, and format help:
    Citations, including electronic:
    http://www.powa.org/document.htm#How to Document
    Good, all around advice:
    http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~phensel/Teaching/powers1.html
    A book on grammar:
    http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/
    Mistakes to avoid, from a copy editor:
    http://www.theslot.com/carets.html
    Silliness:
    http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~phensel/Teaching/grammar.html