Natural Science 310: Science in Science Fiction
Approximate Schedule (please check web page regularly for
updates)
Dates for quizzes and midterms may change.
Jan 22-Feb 12: Lectures on Introduction to science and
science fiction
Feb 12: Quiz #1 Definition and history of science
Feb 12 Recommended reading from The Year's Best Science Fiction: "Tin Marsh" by Michael Swanwick and "Life on the Preservation" by Jack Skillingstead.
Feb 14-Mar 6: Lectures on Physics. Relativity,
quantum mechanics, and black holes.
Feb 19 : Quiz #2 Timescape
Feb 26 : Quiz #3 Definition, history, and genres of science fiction.
Feb 28:Recommended
reading from The Year's Best Science Fiction: "Bow Shock" by
Greg Benford.
Mar 4: Quiz #4 The
Dispossessed.
Mar 11 – Mar 27: Lectures on Astronomy and cosmology; the
Big Bang; space travel.
Mar 11: Quiz #5: Relativity and quantum mechanics.
Mar 18: Extra Credit Quiz: Ringworld
March 20: Form small groups for working on class paper
Mar 25 (tentative, may change): MIDTERM. Will cover: science; science fiction; relativity; quantum mechanics; Timescape; The Dispossessed. Also will cover (new!) from The Year's Best Science Fiction: "Tin Marsh," "Bow Shock," and "Ile of Dogges" by Elizabeth Bear and Sarah Monette.
SPRING BREAK
April 11-May 8: Lectures on Biology; evolution and
genetics
Apr 8: Quiz #6 Red Mars.
Apr 10: Small groups distribute, discuss thesis statements.
Apr 15: Quiz #7 Astronomy and cosmology
Apr 17: Small
groups distribute, discuss outlines (Suggested reading
(But will not cover in class: "Where the Golden Apples Grow"
in Year's Best SF)
Apr 22: Quiz #8 Evolution Read for class: "
Apr 29: Quiz #9 Brave
New World; small groups distribute first drafts. Read
for class: "
May 1: Small groups discuss first drafts
May 6: Quiz #10 Genetics and cloning
May 8: Papers
due (including thesis, outline, and first draft). No late submissions! Read for class: "
May 13: Final exam.