SCI 1375 Science Fiction: Science? Or Fiction?
Have you ever wondered who should have really won the light saber battle between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader? Or how realistic is Captain Kirk’s request to “Beam me up, Scotty”? What about the portrayal of genetic mutations in Jurassic Park? In this course we will take an in-depth look at some of the most popular science fiction universes in TV, film, and literature, specifically evaluating the accuracy (or lack thereof) of the underlying scientific principles that are relied upon to tell the story. In doing so, students will gain a breadth of scientific knowledge that intersects many disciplines (such as astrophysics, chemistry, biology, etc.), and be able to think critically about how science is portrayed in entertainment media.
Course Types
Science
- Outcome 1. Students can analyze and understand the concepts, theories, and facts of physics including laws of motion, gravity, energy, and relativity.
- Outcome 2. Students can analyze and understand the concepts, theories, and facts of chemistry including atomic and molecular structure, periodic law, and quantum mechanics.
- Outcome 3. Students can analyze and understand the concepts, theories, and facts of biology including genetics and evolution.
- Outcome 4. Students can critique science portrayed in science fiction media, identifying accurate use, correcting misinformation, and discussing how misuse of scientific theory could be corrected to better support the plot.
- Outcome 5. Students can demonstrate a practical application of content through participation in thematic debates.
- Outcome 6. Students can write clearly and effectively about scientific content such that it become accessible to a broad audience.