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[13.05] Astronomy and Public Policy

S. Hameed, S. Edwards (Smith College/UMass)

At Five College Astronomy Astronomy Department, we have developed a course ``Astronomy and Public Policy", that deals with astronomical topics that have implications for society. In this seminar-format class we discuss the federal budget process and how astronomy get its funding, the rationale for federal support for basic scientific research, and examine cases where astronomical interests have come in conflict with societal interests. The majority of the semester, however, is spent examining two cases in detail: a) the threat of an asteroid impact and b) the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Students develop the scientific case for each topic, identify possible actions of scientists, and discuss past and present Congressional hearings on the subject.

If you would like more information about this abstract, please follow the link to http://earth.ast.smith.edu/courses/ast220/. This link was provided by the author. When you follow it, you will leave the Web site for this meeting; to return, you should use the Back comand on your browser.

The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: shameed@earth.ast.smith.edu

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 34
© 2002. The American Astronomical Soceity.