Introduction Plan
Today we’re going to get acquainted with the course materials and requirements. I’m hoping to use this webpage and Canvas for all class needs–notes, readings not in the books, tests, course policies, etc.
- Go over the course syllabus
- LBST 2212 General Education Requirement
- HTAS 2100 Minor
- Liberal Studies: What’s liberal about it?
- General Education Blurb
- Italian Renaissance–rebirth of Western Civilization
- Why Science Fiction?
Things We Most Likely Can’t Disagree About
We carry on our lives without truly understanding the forces at work—social, scientific, and technological. When we use mobile phones, computers, cars, etc., we don’t have to understand the science or engineering behind how they work. Of course, some of us do but only if one is in a technical discipline or just really curious and has the time to “dissect” the black boxes of various technologies.
I will do my best to explain why science fiction–stories created to entertain and provoke thinking–is as important to understanding the role of science and technology in our world as instruction on sciences and technologies.
For Friday (8/23)
If we have time left, we’ll jump onto Friday’s (8/23) discussion. Remember, I never let students out early. Fifty minutes isn’t too long…and sci-fi goes by so quickly.
Make sure you get the books and get onto Canvas to post a little bit about yourself. There’s a short reading (one page) for Friday (8/23) on Canvas: Isaac Asimov’s article “Cult of Ignorance.” We’ll discuss that and go over how to think about science and technology from humanistic, social perspectives and what it means to read/interpret through a cultural studies lens. You have a longer Asimov reading and Heinlein’s “All You Zombies–” for Monday, 8/26. Those previous readings are in the Anthology, but I’m have them on Canvas in case you haven’t gotten your books yet.