New class added as nature sciences GELS fulfillment

-- Carin Mangimeli

A new class has been added to the roster at Metropolitan State University and, to many students’ delight, it is the first completely online class to qualify as a nature sciences General Education and Liberal Studies (GELS) requirement.

Introduction to Astronomy, taught by Professor Lawrence Mascotti, was added to the course catalog this year under the physics discipline, but according to officials, was added to the roster too late to make the printing deadline of the Fall 2005 Course Catalog to be listed as a GELS requirement. Undeterred, students double-checked with advisors to verify the GELS status and the course quickly filled to capacity.

Professor Mascotti has been teaching astronomy professionally since 1977, though he says his teaching career really began when he was 15. “I knew early on that I wanted to be a teacher....Teaching is about connecting with others and building relationships. I cannot think of any other thing that I would professionally want to do with my life. I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity.”

Astronomy, defined by Webster’s dictionary as “the scientific study of the positions, distribution, motion, and composition of the celestial bodies,” is commonly referred to as the study of the stars, but not to be confused with astrology, the study of the stars in order to predict the future. The study of the stars has been an ancient science and fascination in many cultures, sometimes defining religions, and its scholars include the likes of Plato and Aristotle. Though the study of astronomy has significantly changed since that time, the reasons driving the study of this field seem to remain the same.

“For as long as I can remember, I have essentially studied only one question: I want to know if we are ordinary or extraordinary,” says Professor Mascotti, adding “The deeper the space, the deeper the thought; the sky is not the limit. It is only the beginning… I enjoy the awe and ‘aha’ that comes from studying about it.”

As an introduction to his course, Mascotti asked his students this question: Why study the stars? Based on their responses, it would seem his students share his ideas. “I think humans study astronomy because it’s in our nature to wonder,” says student Shaun Zimmerman. Nou Moua, another student of Introduction to Astronomy, believes that “humans study astronomy to understand the complexity of the universe.” Another student agreed, saying “There is so much unknown about the universe, and what is known is so amazing that I wanted to be a part of that. I took this [class] because it is fascinating. You do not get to see the ins and outs of the universe every day, whereas you interact with chemistry or biology everyday.”

The online venue of this GELS class has opened a few doors for students finding it difficult to attend a traditional classroom. Another student says, “It is much easier to complete an online course when I have a family at home and a full-time job.” Margo Westlund, indicated that she registered for the class, “because it was online and astronomy sounded interesting. I was registered for Biol 106, but because it started at 5 p.m., it was going to be difficult to make it on time.” Professor Mascotti agrees with his students, “The cyber environment presents so many unique circumstances…. It is a very individualized self-paced style of learning. It is revolutionary as it allows a university to come to you.…I think that classrooms without walls fit well with the reality of the world today.”

Reflecting on the class, Westlund says, “I think this class is going to be mind-challenging. It’s a lot of reading, but it’s interesting reading.” Student Caroline Smith says that she hopes to learn “information on star constellations that I can use when I am gazing at the stars at night in the future!” She would definitely recommend the course to other students, “It is very well-organized, as all online classes should be.…It’s an interesting topic…[and] it’s challenging enough for me!”

While they are only into their second week of the class, both the instructor and his students have high hopes for the course. Mascotti said, “I would hope that students would deepen their appreciation for a part of our environment that most of us tend to neglect or take for granted.…This over-our-head subject matter also offers a down-to-earth opportunity for each of us to reflect on the great beauty and mystery that surrounds us… .Being human requires us to come into contact with the questions the universe inspires. Knowing something about our place in space and time is something for our species to celebrate.”

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