The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - Butler University

Core Courses Offered by Astronomy
NW263-AS, The Astronomical Universe: A
one-semester survey of astronomy including
ancient Greek astronomy, the motions of the
night sky, the solar system, other solar systems,
the lives of stars including the Sun, and the
origin and fate of the universe. This will be a
four lecture hour/two hour lab course. (U)(5)
Fall and Spring.
Astronomy Courses
AS100, The Astronomical Universe: A
descriptive study of basic astronomy including
the planets and the apparent motions of celestial
objects, the seasons, constellations, comets
and meteors, stars, galaxies and large-scale
structure of the universe, plus current events
in space exploration. There will be planetarium
dem¬onstrations and telescope observations.
Some hands-on lab experiences are provided.
(U)(3). Fall and spring.
AS301, Modern Astronomical Techniques:
Introduction to techniques and equipment used
in modern astronomy with emphasis on detection
and analysis of electromagnetic radiation
and the fundamental properties of telescopes
and detectors. Lectures and laboratory.
Laboratories focus on observational techniques
and data reduction. Prerequisites: AS102 and
PH202. (U)(3). Alternating springs.
AS311, Astrophysics I: The first semester of
an introductory course on stellar astrophysics
using nearly every branch of physics. Emphasis
is on the underlying physical principles; including
the nature of stars, stellar energy generation,
stellar structure and evolution, astrophysical
neutrinos, binary stars, white dwarfs, neutron
stars and pulsars, and novae and supernovae.
Prerequisites: AS102 and PH202. (U)(3).
Alternating falls.
AS312, Astrophysics II: A continuation of
AS311. The course covers the application of
physical principles to the inter-stellar medium,
the kinematics and dynamics of stars and stellar
systems, galactic structure, formation and
evolution of galaxies, relativity, Big Bang and
inflationary models of the origin of the universe,
and the large-scale structure and ultimate fate
of the universe. Prerequisite: AS311. (U)(3).
Alternating springs.
Political Science Department
Administration
Terri Jett, Ph.D., department chair
Professors
Margaret A. Brabant, Ph.D.
Associate Professors
Craig W. Auchter, Ph.D, Siobhán McEvoy-
Levy, Ph.D.; Terri R. Jett, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Robin Turner, Ph.D.; Su-Mei Ooi, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Dave Mason, Ph.D.
Why Study Political Science?
The faculty members of the Political Science
Department at Butler University see our
discipline as connected to Liberal Arts
which are about studying and understanding
ourselves, other peoples, different ways of
being and knowing, of developing tolerance
and empathy, and learning to use evidence and
think critically. As political scientists we seek to
understand the causes of wars, social injustices,
economic disparities and uneven technological
growth for the purpose of alleviating suffering.
Because a liberal arts education encourages an
activist disposition, we look for ways to address
problems such as world poverty, inadequate
health care, educational disparities between
neighboring communities and environmental
degradation and seek nonviolent solutions to
human rights violations worldwide. The Political
Science Department at Butler University
deliberately challenges systems, institutions
and leaders that dehumanize, marginalize and
oppress any persons and other living beings.
We seek to engage in intellectual practices that
provide sustainable solutions for the betterment
of all.
Why Study Political Science at
Butler?
The department is committed to teaching
students how to effect positive social change.
In practicing citizenship skills that include
empathetic listening, moral reasoning, personal
responsibility and a greater awareness of one’s
responsibility to the human polity, our students
develop as active and engaged citizens at the
local, national and international levels. We
offer courses that include service-learning and
community-based research and that encourage
students to accept responsibility for their learning
and to recognize that knowledge may be
197 Butler University
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences