Integrating Modern Physics into Introductory Physics Courses: An Evolutionary Approach

Most introductory physics courses, following the lead of traditional textbooks, put off special relativity, quantum physics and other ``modern'' ideas until the end, or else neglect them entirely. On the other hand, revolutionary unified curricula (such as \textit{Matter and Interactions} by Chabay/Sherwood) may demand more change than many instructors or programs can readily manage. In this talk, I'll show how a ``traditional'' introductory course can, with relatively little effort, be connected from the outset to the modern picture of physics and the cosmos, and how that connection can be renewed and strengthened at strategic junctures scattered throughout the year. The barriers to trying this approach are relatively low, since it can be implemented in small steps over a number of years.