Spring 2000 NTLS 261

Science in Science Fiction: Syllabus for the first five classes.
James A. Roe
Seaver 315
338-2943, jroe@lmumail.lmu.edu

Class Meetings: W, 7:15 to 10 PM, Room Seaver 200
Office Hours: W, 5 to 7 PM, Seaver 315, or by appointment.

Meetings

Jan 12: Introduction
What is Science Fiction?
What is Science?
Movie: "2001: A Space Odyssey"
Assignment: In which ways is "2001" "good" science fiction? Where does it fail?

Jan 19: Reading Assignments: pp. 1-29; "The Physics of Star Trek"
Begin "Contact"
Lecture: The physics of space travel; The cans and can'ts of interstellar sojourning.
Discussion
Workshop: Doing the math. (Bring calculators.)
Lecture: Habitats in space; Interstellar travel in the slow lane.
Discussion

Jan 26: Reading Assignments: pp. 30-61; "The Physics of Star Trek
Finish "Contact"
Lecture: Special Relativity.
Discussion of the science in "Contact"
Documentary: "A Brief History of Time"

Feb 2 : Reading Assignments: Begin "Forever War"
General Relativity and the fabric of space-time
Multi-generational starships

Feb 9 : Reading Assignments: Finish "Forever War"
Discussion of the science in "Forever War"
(to be continued)

Assessments will take place on Feb 16, Apr 5 and May 3 (Includes Final)

Science in Science Fiction, Spring 2000, NTLS261

Syllabus (cont; REV 3/15/00):

Feb 16 Assessment One
Open Notes, One hour, Bring your calculators

Feb 23 Begin "The Sparrow"
Lecture: Is life really out there?
Discussion
Workshop: What makes "life" possible?
Three forms of carbon
Documentary: Search for the Buckyballs

Mar 1 Break

Mar 8 Finish "The Sparrow"
Discussion of "The Sparrow"
Discussion of "Buckyballs"
Origin of matter and the elements :"We are born of the Stars"

Mar 15 Begin "Eon"
Introduction to DNA
Movie: "Race for the Double Helix"

Mar 22 Meet in Room S205
Discussion of "Life Story"
Continue "Eon"
Origin of life (part 1)
RNA, DNA and genetic manipulation
Replication, Transcription and translation
Discussion: ethics of genetic manipulation
Proteins, enzymes and vitamins

Mar 29 Finish "Eon"
Discussion of "Eon"
Origin of Life (part 2)
Theory of Evolution
Theory of Evolution vs. Creationism

Apr 5 Assessment Two
(Syllabus cont.)

Science in Science Fiction, Spring 2000, NTLS261

Syllabus (cont; REV 4/12/00):

Apr 12 Creationism vs. Evolution Theory (part II)
Three videos: "The Creationist Argument," "The Evidence for Evolution" and "The Creationist Controversy."

Apr 19 Start reading "Neuromancer"
Read "Physics of Star Trek", pp. 65-98
Discussion: Evolution and Creationism
The history of the Internet
Vitual Reality and Cyberspace

Apr 26 Discuss "Neuromancer" and cyberspace
A movie (TBA)

May 3 7:15 to 8:15 pm Assessment Three (Material covered since assessment two)
8:30 TO 9:30 pm Comprehensive Final (material covered from class one to the second assessment)

Reading List :

"The Physics of Star Trek" by L. M. Krauss

"Contact" by Carl Sagan

"Eon" by Greg Bear

"The Forever War" by Joe Haldeman

"Neuromancer" by William Gibson

"The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell

"Ringworld" by Larry Niven

"Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. LeGuin

Other reading:

"N-Space" by Larry Niven

"Why People Believe Weird Things" by Michael Shermer

"The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction", John Clute and Peter Nicholls, eds.

"Creations of Fire" by Cathy Cobb and Harold Goldwhite

Grading: There will be three assessments worth 35 points each. You may drop one. In addition, there will be a comprehensive final worth 30 points.

86-100 A
71-85 B
56-70 C
41-55 D
<41 F