Meeting: Th, 6:50-9:40 PM Room: Library E4310
Syllabus revised 7 January, 2008
Readings that are not available at the bookstore,
and for which links to electronic editions do
not exist here, can be accessed on the AST/EGL 389
Blackboard page.
Class
Date
Topic
1
Jan 31
Introduction to Science Fiction
Lecture:
The scope of science FICTION and the scope of SCIENCE fiction
Videos:
Powers of 10
The Day the Earth Stood Still
2
Feb 7
Science (Fiction) and Society
Lecture:
Science, Pseudo-Science, and Non-Science in Contemporary Society
Readings:
Asimov: Nightfall
Haldeman: The Forever War
3
Feb 14
The Long History of Science Fiction
Lecture:
Sci-Fi as an Echo of the Aspirations of an Age
Readings:
Cyrano de Bergerac: The Other World
Verne: From the Earth to the Moon
Campbell: Twilight
Asimov: Pate de Fois Gras
4
Feb 21
Gadgets in Science Fiction. I: Space Travel
Lecture:
Can't Get Theya from Heya - the Physics of Space Travel
Readings:
Krause: The Physics of Star Trek Chapters 1-4
Godwin: The Cold Equations
Niven: Neutron Star
Video Excerpts:
2001, A Space Odyssey; Star Wars IV
5
Feb 28
Gadgets in Science Fiction. II: Time Travel
Lecture:
Quantum Mechanics, Causality, Entropy, and Time
Readings:
Krause: The Physics of Star Trek Chapters 5-10
Wells: The Time Machine
Andersen: Flight Forever
Niven: The Theory and Practice of Time Travel
6
Mar 6
Fiction of the Near Future - Nuclear Cataclysm
Lecture:
The Only Thing We Need to Fear is Fear Itself? Radiation and Nuclear Physics
Readings:
Miller: A Canticle for Liebowitz
Benet: By the Waters of Babylon
Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rain
7
Mar 13
Fiction of the Near Future - Biology Run Amok
Lecture:
Just Enough Genetics and Evolution
Readings:
Kress: Beggars in Spain
Simak: Desertion
8
Mar 27
Fiction of the Distant Future
Lecture:
The End of the Universe
Readings:
Herbert: Dune
Sheffield: At the Eschaton
9
Apr 3
The Last Man on Earth
Lecture:
Why Stars Explode (and Planets Do Not)
Readings:
Clarke: The Star
Niven: Inconstant Moon
del Rey: Kindness
Nolan: The Underdweller
10
Apr 10
Gadgets in Science Fiction. III: Aliens
Lecture:
Alien Biology
Readings:
Pickford: The Science of Aliens Chapters 1-6
Brin: Lungfish
Shara and McDevitt: Lighthouse
Weinbaum: A Martian Odyssey
Forward: Dragon's Egg
11
Apr 17
When Aliens Attack
Lecture:
SETI
Readings:
Pickford: The Science of Aliens Chapters 7-10
Knight: To Serve Man
Heinlein: Starship Troopers
12
Apr 24
The End of the Earth
Lecture:
Impacts on the Earth: Risks and Rewards
Readings:
Brin: Earth
Clarke: Rescue Party
13
May 1
Robots and Androids
Lecture:
Prospects for Artificial Intelligence
Readings:
Asimov: I, Robot
Asimov: The Last Question
14
May 8
Science Fiction as Allegory
Lecture:
That's a Wrap!
Readings:
Bradbury: The Martian Chronicles
Video
Dark Star