How physics educators shape the content of their curriculum

Little by little, some educators are examining the content of their curriculum. Many start with the question "how can I show that the standard physics content is applicable to contemporary issues?" Some move on to "what topics in physics could we use to build a course that addresses contemporary issues?" For many decades, a common venue for considering these questions has been the course for non-scientists.

Physics for non-majors

Physics for engineers and non-physics science majors

Physics for engineers and non-physics science majors has been characterized by weed-out classes with ever-widening books bursting with prerequisite topics.(needs references)

Physics for non-scientists/non-engineers

Hauke Busch explicitly discusses the departure from traditional physics curriculum and pedagogy.<bibref f="default.bib">Busch:2010Using-environmeAA</bibref> At Georgia College & State University, Busch and colleagues changed some of the traditional topics to some selected from "environmental physical science" in an attempt to make the course applicable to "current issues of interest."

Impediments to change

We don't have a critical mass of change agents

The tutorial that you signed up for at the AAPT Winter (2011) meeting entitled Civic Engagement and Service Learning in Physics has been canceled due to low enrollment...

American Association of Physics Teachers

Programs  & Conferences Department

References

<bibreferences />