3.1

Popular and attractive course and discussion

As shown in Table 1 that there are two main lines in this course. One is according to the time sequence of historic events, and the other is according to academic fields. This is because in modern time optics has become an interdisciplinary field and has many sub-discipline. Our goal is to connect the past and now, history and real life, daily life and universe, optics and multidisciplinary fields, such as politics, economics, law and arts, to give multidisciplinary students the opportunities to learn research methods, to communicate with the students from other specialties, to understand the benefits that optics has brought and will bring to the people and the world, and to note that light-based technologies may bring an uncertain future to human being. These are popular and attractive.

Comparing a professional optical course, we collect the teaching and discussion materials in a much larger range.

3.2

Discussion on academic research methodology

This is due to that our course is defined as a scientific research and creation course. An important task of this course is to teach the students research methodology which can be used in multidisciplinary areas.

The milestone relation between particles and waves was discovered by De Broglie in the period of 1923 to 1924. In this discovery, an important factor is the imagination ability of De Broglie. In 1924, De Broglie presented the possibility of wavelike properties of electrons. The communication between Einstein, De Broglie and Schrödinger led to Schrödinger’s equation.

Another typical example is Einstein’s prediction and the invention of laser^[4]. Einstein’s presented his prediction about the possibility of stimulated radiation in his paper published in 1917. About 40 years later, in 1958, Townes and Shawlow published a paper in Physical Review and proposed the prototypes of laser devices. In 1960 Maiman built the first laser device.

After the discussion on this topic, the students shared the stories and methods of scientific research, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1.

A student were telling the story of imaging, prediction experimentation and confirmation.

3.3

Discussion on academic argument

Arguments are very important to find truth, this must be based on facts. Sometimes arguments were controlled by authorities and not equality and justice. A typical example is about Galileo’s telescope and his observation.

Since 17th century, the research on the nature of light has continued for several centuries. The debate between particle theory represented by Newton, and wave theory represented by Huygens lasted for centuries, and particle theory dominated until the end of 18th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, Einstein unified particle theory and wave theory, and put forward the wave–particle duality^[5]. Now the wave-particle duality of light is recognized by people.

Several important scientists involved in the debate, such as Huygens, Fresnel, Thomas Young, etc. Based on their experiments and observations, they presented their own points of view and showed critical spirit and scientific spirit. The debate also indicates a man’s perception is often limited by the condition and the angle of observation. Opening up one’s mind and developing critical thinking are important for discovering the truths.

During the discussion, the students wrote their own plays and performed this cross-century academic debates, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2.

Two students were simulating a dispute between particle theory represented by Newton and wave theory represented by Huygens. The actor on the left played Newton, and the actor on the right played Huygens

3.4

Discussion on optics in everyday life

This discussion focuses on optics in everyday life, and there are several discussion topics. Photography and historical memory are the most important topics. We show some influential photos in history at first, and then ask the students to search for photos and take some photos by themselves. This discussion gives them a great space for imagination and thought. They are not only interested in photography technology, but also very enthusiastic in making their own photo collections. Some student groups collect the photos related to the same subject, and some students collect and list the old photos of their family in chronological order. They all realize that these photos are valuable historical memories of a land or a group of people. In their report, they have recognized the contribution of photography and photos in reducing poverty, raising the level of national education and describing the common destiny of human being in particular.

In Figure 3, the photo named “I want to go to school” by Xie Hailong is shown. This is a propaganda symbol of China’s Hope Project. This photo and Victory Kiss by Alfred Eisenstaedt, War and Peace by Chen Fuli, and many other historical photos often become hot topics in discussion, and the photographers are respected by our students.

Figure 3.

The photo named “I want to go to school”, published in 1991, is a propaganda symbol of China’s Hope Project.

3.5

Discussion on cross-discipline and the future of mankind

The cross-discipline of light and brain science, and artificial eyes and blind help are typical examples of light-based technology directly serving mankind. Associate professor Wang Kaiwei, one of the authors of this paper is keen on helping the blind to see the beautiful world, and his students have set up a company to develop visual aids to help the blind, and won the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award. From this point of view, the students have expressed concern for people with disabilities. This do not mean to provide them with special care. What the disabilities need is not mercy. Many of them are self-reliant and their minds are full of independent idea. They do not like to be cared for by others. They want equal opportunities to learn, to work, and to serve the human society. We still have a lot of things to do in that regard. We hope that every classmate who has learned this course has such a goal, with technology and love to break through the bondage of disease, to create opportunities for free development of the people, so that the world will be more equal and beautiful.

The students from department of politics point out that optical communication and the Internet make it easier for humans to obtain information. This make humans be freer and more equal. Certainly, they discuss the problems of digital gap. The students from agronomy and medical science are interested in the application of spectroscopy in food and drug safety. The students from economic discipline also have the topic of counterfeit money identification. Each student can find their own interest and the intersection point of optics and their own discipline in discussion.