Dr. Kristine Larsen
Physics-Earth Sciences
Copernicus 606; 832-2938
larsen@ccsu.edu AIM: Dr Kris Larsen
hours: TR 2-4 PM, W 1-2 PM, others by appt.

Dr. Martin A. Kapper
Biomolecular Sciences
Copernicus 350; 832-2653
kapper@ccsu.edu
hours: MWF 9-10 AM, also M 1-2 PM and R 11-12 AM and by appt or just stop by

Course Website: http://www.physics.ccsu.edu/larsen/courses_spring_2009.htm

"Science and Science Fiction"

HON 120: Science and Society I

Spring 2009

What happens when science meets fiction? How "accurate" is the reporting of science in the popular media? How have artists explored science using literature and a cinematic lens? How do these works challenge our understanding of such concepts as space, time, reality, the body, reproduction, gender, and race? What ethical concerns arise? These are some of the questions we'll consider as we read excerpts and short stories by Asimov, Tolkien, and Bradbury, scientific biographies, and as we watch a variety of films including The Matrix and Jurassic Park. This course will explore the scientific content and background of these works, and separate out science fact from science 'fiction.’

Required Books:

The following texts are available at the CCSU Bookstore:

Tolkien, J.R.R. The Silmarillion. 2^nd ed.
Watson, J.D. The Double Helix
Sayre, A. Rosalind Franklin and DNA

Short Stories:

The following is available online:

Asimov, Isaac. "The Last Question" http://www.multivax.com/last_question.html

Bradbury, Ray. "A Sound of Thunder"  http://www.cs.ru.nl/~freek/books/thunder.sat

Other stories will be handed out in class or posted in the library’s electronic reserve.

Movies: We will NOT be watching movies in class. Students must watch them on their own time, and answer viewing questions in writing before class. Students are responsible for rentals, although limited copies are provided for borrowing in the library reserve room. Movies may only be borrowed for 24 hours. Do not wait until the night before the movies are due to view them, because you may find all copies are checked out, and you will not be given an extension! Note: Some movies are on VHS videotape (sorry, no Beta) and some are on DVD.

The Andromeda Strain (VHS)

The Boys From Brazil (DVD)

Contact (VHS)

Jurassic Park (VHS& DVD)

The Matrix (VHS)

Soylent Green (DVD)

Deep Impact (VHS)

Attendance and Participation: You are expected to attend all class meetings, to have completed the assigned readings, and to participate thoughtfully in class discussions. You will be expected to keep up with the weekly reading assignments and to discuss them on the day they are due (see course schedule). The first week of class, students will choose groups for film viewing and related group assignments.

Attendance is mandatory. Poor attendance will result in a lower grade by default, since you will not be able to turn in homework (reading questions) late. In addition, although we are not officially grading class participation, it is one of those intangibles which is taken into account for borderline cases. If you miss more than two classes in a row, you should notify us and Student Affairs (832-1601), particularly in the event of family and medical emergencies. We hope this semester will be crisis-free for all of you, and we will make every effort to help you stay on track should a crisis arise. Please understand that if a crisis results in uncompleted work and/or a prolonged period of absence you may not be able to pass the course and may need to consider an emergency withdrawal.

Assignments: To help you prepare for writing an honors thesis, we are emphasizing critical analysis and research writing in this class. You will write two papers this semester; part of your grade for paper #1 will be a subsequent analysis of another student’s paper. Papers and study questions are due at the beginning of a class period. There will be no extensions for paper #1 and the final project. Other extensions will be not granted except in the event of documented emergencies. Late study questions will not be accepted. If you must miss a class, you will receive full credit for your reading questions if you email them to the instructors by the end of the usual class period. You are always welcome (and indeed, encouraged) to meet with us to review drafts, to discuss your insights, and to address any difficulties a particular assignment poses.

Grading:

individual reading questions: 16%
group viewing questions: 16%
paper #1: creation myth and analysis: 17% [Myth due 2/17; analysis due 2/24]
paper #2: cloning, genetic engineering, and ethics: 17% [Due 3/31]
final project (written paper and in-class presentation): 17% [Due 5/7]
take-home final exam [Due on final exam date]: 17%

Note that the due dates of the final project and final exam are very close.

Format: Papers must be typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins all around, and use 12 point normal font (e.g. Times New Roman or Arial). Pages should be stapled together and numbered in the upper right-hand corner. Title your papers. A missing or vague title suggests a missing or fuzzy thesis. A good title hints at your thesis and captures your reader's interest. All papers must be proofread carefully. (Do not rely on spellcheck.)You should submit two copies of each written assignment—one for each of us to review. Please keep copies of the work you submit as well as work returned to you. We are not responsible for lost papers (sorry!).

Documenting Sources: You must acknowledge the use of all primary and secondary sources in your papers (including direct quotations as well as paraphrased material) using one of the standard methods of documentation such as the MLA format. Take special care to properly document Internet sources. If you are unsure as to whether you have met these documentation standards, you may consult us before you submit your work. Plagiarism, the use of materials without proper documentation (quotation marks, page numbers, bibliography, etc.) warrants a failing grade and immediate dismissal from this course. A report will also be filed with the campus judicial administrator. For more information on Honors Program and University policies regarding plagiarism, see the section on Academic Honesty at the end of this syllabus. If we suspect plagiarism we will request an electronic copy of your paper and will use the Turnitin computer program to verify what percentage of the paper is plagiarized.

Important note: Wikipedia is not an academic source and should never be cited in this course. You will lose points if you do.

Special Note: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with us, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment to talk with one of us as soon as possible. Our office phone numbers, locations and hours and email addresses appear above.

Weather conditions/cancellations: In the event of storms and poor driving conditions, check the CCSU web site, www.ccsu.edu, or snow phone, 832-3333, for class cancellations. If you commute to class, drive safely and use your best judgment. Commuters who are late or absent due to dangerous weather conditions will not be penalized. Lateness or absences due to other kinds of car trouble will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. You may be asked to submit towing and/or repair receipts. Please don’t speed, and please put your safety first.

Tentative syllabus – Books and short stories are in italics, movies in boldface.