Astrobiology combines astronomy, physics, Earth and atmospheric sciences, chemistry and biology in seeking to understand the origin, evolution, and possible distribution of life throughout the universe.  We have substantial expertise in many of these topics here on campus, and a primary objective of this class is to foster more cross-disciplinary understanding and discussion between and within the relevant Schools.We'll meet for two hours each week to discuss a different highly cited paper, spanning all the sub-disciplines by the end of term.  Each week a different student will lead the discussion, presenting enough background material for everyone to understand the advance that the paper represented, and any significant work that has followed it.  Because of this structure, enrollment is limited to 15 students at the very most.