FS101 Freshman Seminar: Science in Science Fiction

Prof. D. T. Petasis

Course Description:

The genre of science fiction has fascinated people for centuries. As a literary form it gained prominence in the late nineteenth century and matured in the twentieth century when it also gave birth to the science fiction movie. While there are some exceptional examples of science fiction literature and movies where credible science is presented, the bulk of this genre misinterprets and misrepresents science. In this course, we will look at how scientific topics are presented in selected science fiction books and movies and learn some basic non-technical scientific principles. Some of the topics to be covered: time travel, faster-than-light space travel, androids, and the biology of alien life forms. Technologies of the future will be investigated and analyzed in detail to see whether they will indeed one day become science fact, or be doomed to remain in the realm of science fiction. The extent to which these technologies reflect our present scientific advances will also be investigated. This course emphasizes oral and written communication skills. Students will have the opportunity to participate in round-table discussions, write papers to summarize or analyze books or papers and eventually give midterm and final oral presentations on particular topics they choose.