NS 310 - Science in Science Fiction

Lecture notes -- not intended to substitute for attending class

Lecture 1 "Introduction and Class Overview" Jan 21, 2010

NO CLASS JAN 26, 28 -- FURLOUGH DAYS

Lecture 2 "A Brief History of Science" Feb 2, 2010 pdf version

Lecture 3 "What is Science?" Feb 4, 2010 pdf version

Lecture 4 "What is Science Fiction?" Feb 9, 2010 pdf version

Lecture 5 "History of Science Fiction" Feb 11, 2010 pdf version

Lecture 6 "How to Read Science Fiction" Feb 16, 2010 pdf version

Lecture 7 "Case Study: Two Classic Novels" Feb 18 2010 pdf version

Lecture 8 "What is Physics?" Feb 23 2010 pdf version

Lecture 9 "Relativity" Feb 25 2010 pdf version

Lecture 10 "Quantum Mechanics" Mar 2, 2010 pdf version

Lecture 11 "Timescape (part I)" Mar 4, 2010 pdf version

Lecture 12 "Timescape (part II)" Mar 9, 2010 pdf version

Lecture 13 "The Dispossessed" Mar 11, 2010 pdf version

Lecture 14 "General relativity" Mar 16, 2010 pdf version

Lecture 15 "Lives of stars" Mar 18 2010 pdf version

MIDTERM March 23 2010:

General notes

Summary on science

Summary on physics

Summary on SF

Lecture 16 "The Big Bang!" Mar 25 2010 pdf version

* * * SPRING BREAK * * *

Lecture 17 "Evolution and SF" Apr 6, 2010 pdf version

Lecture 18 "Evolution and Controversy" Apr 8, 2010 pdf version

NB: We will also meet in small groups -- bring you thesis statements!

Lecture 19 "Ringworld" Apr 13, 2010 pdf version

Lecture 20 "Red Mars" Apr 15, 2010 pdf version

reminder: quiz #9 on astronomy and cosmology (lectures 15 and 16)

April 20, 2010: quiz #10 on evolution (note on Tuesday not Thursday)

Important: meet in small groups--bring your outlines!

April 22, 2010: "Furlough day." Film: Sleep Dealers. (Extra credit question on final exam)

April 27, 2010: "Furlough day." Film: Gattaca. (Extra credit question on final exam)

Lecture 21 "Genetics" April 29, 2010 pdf version

Quiz #11 on Brave New World. Important: bring copies of your first draft to hand out to your small group!

May 4, 2010: small groups meet to discuss first drafts. If you have not handed out first drafts, please attempt to e-mail them to your small group.

NOTE: For your final paper, I require you to bundle together the following (in this order):

Final draft

Thesis statement (you may use an old copy that has been written on)

Outline (ditto)

First draft (ditto)

Lecture 22 "Cloning" May 6, 2010 pdf version

Lecture 23 "Brave New World" May 11, 2010 pdf version

Notes for final exam