A course for those with some background in physics or astronomy who are interested in the origin and structure of our universe. Readings include Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time and other modern texts, in addition to historical cosmology tests such as Aristotle's On the Heavens or Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems. Writing assignments include two papers -- one of these on non-western cosmology -- and a class project involving observation of a supernova or gamma ray burst. Prerequisite: PHYS 101 or PHYS 102 or PHYS 103 or PHYS 104 or PHYS 110 or PHYS 149 or PHYS 250 or PHYS 251.