The Log Page |
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The Log Page |
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Captain's Log, Stardate 2345.8: We detected a Romulan cruiser racing toward the neutral zone after attacking Starbase 4. After going to battle stations we....Wait a minute, wrong log.
This log page is a summary of announcements, etc. from previous weeks. I started posting a weekly log (well, it was supposed to be weekly), back in 2000. I now understand that this wasn't a log, it was a blog. So if you are more comfortable thinking of this as my class blog, do so, I will stubbornly continue to call it the log page. Given that I keep saying that I plan to make weekly posts, this record of my failure, year after year, is perhaps a testament to (1) unwarranted optimism, (2) the constancy of man's grasp exceeding his reach, or (3) my profoundly flawed personality. If you want to see what I blathered about in the past, you can look at:
Fall 2008 log page
Fall 2007 log page
Fall 2006 log page
Fall 2005 log page
Spring 2005sf log page
Fall 2004 log page
Fall 2003 log page
Fall 2002 log page
Fall 2001 log page
Fall
2000 log page
Probabilities are high that you may see some recycling from these pages. Also, the
log pages present ample evidence of my longstanding inability to get work done
on time. So as far as class is concerned, do as I say, not as I do.
Nov. 11, 2009
The last class assignment of the course is now posted (well, the last except for one short in-class assignment). This is the Great Cultural Entomology Scavenger Hunt, which includes the Scavenger Hunt itself and the associated essay. You are welcome to work in groups on the scavenger hunt, but you need to write and submit individual essays. This assignment is part of my effort to have you consider how one aspect of the natural world (insects) is used or perceived by your society. And there are prizes!
Books
If I weren't such a slacker I'd have book references posted here. Well, they will be just wait... (1:12 pm, 11-11-2009)
Oct. 20 2009
Midterm
The midterm is now posted (go to the class assignments page to find the link). Please read all the instructions, and notice that there are two versions of the questions: (1) the brilliant literary version, where I provide a fictional (or is it?) rationale for the questions and explore the concept of class exam as literature; or, the typical dry answer these questions version. Ultimately, both forms of the exam ask the same questions. Also note that there are 11 questions but only 10 required. You get 5 bonus points for answering an 11th questions -- please make certain that you indicate which question should be graded as bonus if you do this.
Dead Bug Art
Tierney sent me this link: http://acidcow.com/pics/4553-dead-flies-art-15-pics.html, which features pictures incorporating dead insects. I'm not sure it's art, but I thought it was interesting and maybe you will too.
Sept. 10, 2009
I just posted two new assignments, both due on Sept. 21. These assignments are related to scaling, and are the scaling essay (which is about watching a movie and reporting errors in the depiction of scaling), and the Pulling Gs group project (which is about designing and conducting an experiment to test insect tolerance to g-forces). I still haven't figured out the new Blackboard grade book, so it looks like that fix will have to wait until next week (if then).
E-mail (a copy of what I sent on 9/10/2009), subj: H1N1 and ENT108
Hi-
Sadly, this isn't the e-mail telling you I have figured out blackboard and your new assignments are posted (although I'm working on those very things this afternoon). It is the e-mail where I make what is likely to be the first of a number of medical warnings.
I just got my e-mailed copy of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report). This is a weekly (no duh) publication of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) that discusses current causes of illness and death in the US (focused on infectious disease). I learned from the report that Nebraska is now in the upper "regional" level of H1N1 occurrence (one below the highest level), and that virtually all influenza in the United States is now H1N1 (an est. 1 million cases). This current pattern is much earlier than usual patterns of seasonal influenza.
I said at the start of class that if you are ill, you should not go to class. A couple of you have missed class, and contacted me via e-mail, and as I promised this will not count against you, and I will help you make up any missed work. The news in the MMWR, suggests to me that H1N1 occurrence will be increasing over the coming weeks, and that it is very likely many of us will become ill. On a positive note, over 99% of flu tested is still susceptible to antiviral drugs. So far, a deadlier strain has not appeared, so getting the flu this year may not be worse than other years. Nevertheless, let's not treat this situation too lightly. Please take care of yourselves (especially hand washing), and stay home if you have a fever. If I can help you in any way, let me know (via e-mail, after class, or calling my cell phone at 402-560-6684). In particular, if you (or your parents) have concerns about this situation, I'll try to answer your questions, although the University Health Center is a better direct source of health information.
On a personal note, my son Cameron has had a low fever since Tuesday and other symptoms consistent with H1N1. So the quarantine flag is flying over the Higley household. The important question is what will I do if/when I (your instructor) get the flu? First, I may have already had it (I was quite ill a few weeks ago), so maybe nothing else will happen. Second, if I do get the flu, I will do lectures from home (probably voice over PowerPoint), with information via e-mail, blackboard, and the course web site. The important point here is to please keep an eye on e-mail messages from me. Also, you might have guest lecturers depending on my health. I'm mentioning all these possibilities because in the past I seem to be the one member of my family who gets every illness that gets in the house.
Finally, while lecture is on tomorrow and for the rest of the semester as scheduled, I am strongly considering canceling field exercises (movie nights, insect photography, etc.) this semester, in a effort to reduce interpersonal interactions. Given your massive exposure to virus from many sources, the increased exposure from field exercises is probably irrelevant. Still, I can't help thinking that avoiding unnecessary risks is a good thing. I will let you know my decision on this in the upcoming week or two (candidly I'm waiting to see how many of you become ill).
Cheers,
Leon
August 24, 2009
Welcome to the class. We will be exploring: the world of insects, allowing to channel your inner child; the world of science, allowing you to channel your inner nerd; and the relationship of science to society in fields like forensics, allowing you to channel your inner murderer. Here are a few hints for a successful semester
Come to lecture and take notes. While in lecture, please don't work on your facebook page, text your friends, sleep, or read a paper while I'm lecturing.
On a another point of etiquette relating to lecture, while in lecture please keep body parts covered that might embarass your professor (it's a long story).
Do the assignments and submit them when they are due. (I would call this "doing the due" but I prefer not being sued by giant multinational corporations.)
Regarding assignments and exams, I think it is an excellent policy to actually read the assignment and the exam questions. Another good principle to consider is that in most circumstances answers should be longer than questions.
Laughing at my jokes and applauding my magic tricks are not required, but, given that I'm a shallow, insecure professor, it probably wouldn't hurt.
You may call me Dr. Higley, Professor Higley, Leon, Dr. Leon, or Dr. H, but don't call me Mister Higley (I didn't spend 8 years in evil graduate school to be called Mister, to paraphrase a certain film). Also, don't tell me you are going to miss an upcoming class and then ask me if we are going to cover anything important. I like to delude myself by believing that everything I say in class is important, and I don't like students to challenge this delusion. Hmm, this reminds me of the advice I give my graduate students, "If you would just treat my every comment as you would the word of God, we won't have any problems."
Do talk to me before, during, or after class. Do call or email me with questions. And do come to coffee with me after class on Wednesdays, if you have questions or want me to get to know you or you want to get to know me. (Let's be honest, I really can't imagine any of you would want to get to know me, but I suppose that's the price you'll have to pay if you come and have coffee.)
