Mini Course Syllabus: Digital Submission
Designing an Emergent Physics Course
Description
In this course, I will design a new introductory physics class that I can teach in either Spring 2026 or Fall 2027. This course should be an “emergent” course, giving students flexibility to explore content and design projects of their choosing.
Objectives
| Goal |
|---|
| Write a syllabus for a new emergent introductory physics class. |
| Create a weekly schedule and select resources that would be appropriate for further student exploration. |
Resources
Anything to do with emergent learning. Could be TWP and INCAP resources. Could be articles and books from this DF module. Definitely should be colleagues who have taught these courses at PSU.
Activities
Activity: emergent course design brainstorm
- If anyone else is interested in redesigning a course they’ve done in a more emergent style, it could be a fun activity to all sit down together and have a big brainstorming session about “how” we could run each of our individual courses. Are they project-based or something else? What is the net result we expect from students? Who would the target audience be? It would also be great to have experienced course designers in the room to offer their ideas.
- As our course designs progress, we could have a “course pitch” day. Each of us gets 10-minutes, for example, to describe the what/why/hows of our course, and then the group gets 10-15 minutes to provide feedback, cheerleading, advice, etc. Then we move on to the next person.
- Before writing the syllabus, I think I need to know what my week-to-week schedule might look like in a course. Once I have a feel for the flow, I can better see how to scaffold and grade the whole shibang.
- What are some readings and modules that I could do to help me prepare, learn, grow, etc, yay.
- We can best learn from our TWP and INCAP colleagues who have come before us. I’m not sure when the best time to invite them would be. At the beginning as an overview. Partway to help with the brainstorming? Later, to offer feedback and reflection as the class design develops? Probably somewhat early or midway, so that I haven’t gone too far down any tricky roads.
Assessment
Create a syllabus. Have someone gives a thumbs up.
Calendar
TBA
“Policies”
- This is YOUR mini-course syllabus. Do not get overwhelmed or discouraged by the work because YOU are in charge.
- At anytime, you may revise/update your syllabus to reflect modified objectives, newly found resources, ideas for new activities, modified calendar, etc.
- The CoLab is your partner in this course. In addition to reviewing all the syllabi to find opportunities for shared programming, group meetings, etc. we are available to brainstorm your ideas, rethink your goals, come up with activity ideas, etc. Feel free to make an appointment if you need to talk.
- Since this is YOUR syllabus, feel free to share it with anyone you like (beyond your “Syllabus Cohort”) to get feedback or ideas.
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