Course Goals and Philosophy:

There could hardly be a more important milestone in history than contact with an intelligent extraterrestrial life form. The possibility of extraterrestrial life has fascinated human beings for all of recorded history. Yet current thought on the existence of extraterrestrial life remains mostly speculation and imagination, with a limited but growing amount of serious research interest in the field. We shall learn about the serious efforts to understand the origins of life and the prospects for detecting extraterrestrial life. In addition, we will also discuss the speculative aspects of life, intelligence, and little green men.

This course is necessarily multi disciplinary. In this seminar we will discuss many of the widely varied aspects relating to life beyond Earth, using fields of study including physical sciences such as biology, chemistry, geology, astrophysics, and paleontology as well as disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, history, politics, literature, and the fine arts. No prior knowledge in any of these fields is assumed, but a willingness to learn parts of all the fields is expected.

Grading:

The final grades will be determined from the following formula:
10% Participation
25% Homework
20% Book/Movie Criticism
10% Presentation
35% Final Project

Participation:

This colloquium will emphasize discussion. Thus, attendance, participation, and preparation are more important in this class than in the usual lecture. I expect prompt and regular attendance and full participation in class discussions. I further expect that you will be well prepared to contribute to the discussion, having read and thought about the day's material before class.

Homework:

A number of short homework assignments will be assigned. Most will be short essay questions requiring your analysis of a particular topic. Other questions will be quantitative problems involving simple algebra and knowledge of material presented in the suggested readings. All work must be turned in on or before the due date to receive a grade. Collaboration of any kind, on any assignment in this course, is expressly forbidden. No credit will be given for work that is not demonstrably your own.

Book/Movie Criticism:

First contact with intelligent, communicative extraterrestrials is a common plot device in many science fiction books and movies. Classic examples include War of the Worlds or The Day the Earth Stood Still. More recent examples include 2001: A Space Odyssey, Men In Black, Independence Day, or Contact. Your first assignment is to choose one book or movie and analyze the approach it takes regarding how humans react to the initial news that we are not alone in this universe. Do not summarize the plot. Your paper must go beyond a book report which simply summarizes the story. Assume I know the story by heart. Do not make the mistake of confusing a fictional character's actions or thoughts with reality. Instead, Do reflect on what was the author's intent when creating that character and that action. Do not get sidetracked into issues which are not directly related to human reaction to first contact. Do choose a clear, simple thesis and defend it with specific examples.

The paper must be at least 1200 words (4 to 6 pages) long. All papers must be fully proofread; misspellings and unintelligible grammar will not be tolerated. The grading will focus on the quality of the analysis. Successful submissions will exhibit independent, creative thought. The best papers will point out an unexpected or at least non-obvious aspect of being human.

Final Project:

Your final project should be a detailed presentation of some well defined topic relating to life beyond Earth. Almost any topic which has any connection at all with this course is acceptable (you should at least point out the connection). Make use of your interests, prior knowledge, and/or other courses to produce a project which is inspired and engages the audience. Acceptable projects include: a research paper on some narrow topic; a critical comparison and contrast of an issue as presented in two or more books; a piece of fiction which accurately and intelligently deals with future possibilities; an economic or political analysis of SETI or human colonization of space; an audio-visual presentation arguing for music and art as universal forms of communication, a dance presentation or play a computer program or engineering technique to maximize the possibility of communicating with an unknown party; or even the results of a biochemistry experiment in which you create life in the laboratory.

If you choose to write a paper, I expect at least 2,500 words (8 to 12 pages). Please arrange to meet with me well before the deadline if you intend to submit a non-paper project, so I can estimate the work required.

It is important that you choose a narrow topic. Go beyond introductory texts or items from the popular press. Instead of analyzing a broad subject, focus on some detailed aspect and present an in-depth discussion of that.

The primary quality I will be looking for in your project is evidence for critical thought. I want to clearly see that you have learned something from your project. However, realize I also have the selfish motive that I want to learn something from your project. Be sure you do not just repeat back to me what someone else has said. If you speculate about future possibilities, make certain that it is reasoned and supported. Assemble multiple references, evaluate what has been written by others about your topic, and synthesize ideas of your own as a conclusion.

Presentation:

Each student is required to give a 12 minute oral presentation of their final project during the final classes of the biterm. The grade will be based on your overall ability to communicate the substance of your project.