Introductory Physics: Writing scheme teaches science to non-scientists

Abstract

Writing-intensive activities can be made use of to implement a 'narrow-but-deep' approach in an undergraduate introductory physics course for non-science majors. In this approach, a carefully selected number of topics are treated not only in more detail but also with attention to developing them logically and rigorously. We teach a course that utilizes parts of an interdisciplinary text by Alan Lightman [1] and focuses on three subjects: (i) the conservation of energy, (ii) the second law of thermodynamics and (iii) the special theory of relativity.