This is the preliminary home page for Philosophy 340, "Topics in Philosophy: Philosophy in Science Fiction", to be taught in the Fall semester of 2008 by Professor Ron McClamrock of the University at Albany Department of Philosophy.
Course Description
An examination of some central issues in philosophy, using the occurrence of those issues in science fiction as a starting point. Topics to be covered will likely include the following: Can machines think? Through what changes can our self-identity persist? What kinds of beings count as persons? Should we interfere in other cultures? Is time-travel possible? Could the world be a huge illusion?This course will focus primarily on the traditional philosophical issues raised in science fiction rather than on the science fiction itself as literary or cinematic. But the settings for framing these problems will come from science fiction readings, movies, and television.
Course Requirements
Note: This is a preliminary approximation of the requirements for the course. I expect there won't be major changes; but the official requirements listed on the syllabus given out at the beginning of the semester will override these, which are given for informational purposes only.Requirements Summary: Grades will be 20% for each of two short papers, 20% for each of their two best exam grades, and 20% for quizzes, class participation, and other random tidbits of work.
The fine print:
- Papers: Topics for quite short (about 1200 words) papers will be handed out four times during the semester, and will be due about a week after being assigned. You must do two of these, including at least one of the first two. Each short paper is worth 20% of the final course grade.
- Exams: There will be three 55-minute in class closed-book tests, spaced relatively equally throughout the semester. Tests are mostly short-answer format, and will be non-comprehensive. A student's two best exam scores are each worth 20% of the final course grade.
- Participation, etc.: Class participation, quizzes, and other stuff will total 20% of your course grade. This will include the following, and perhaps more: (a) Every several classes, I will hold "Chat Day", in which we devote a class to a question-and-answer and discussion period; you'll be expected to come prepared and to participate. (b) There will be an online discussion board you'll be required to sign up for and asked to participate in; participation might include posting thoughts to about some question given out in class. And (c) I may occasionally ask for other small bits of work, which might include anything from a paragraph on some very particular question, to a question or two you have about the readings, to a reading quiz in class. Note that if you don't attend class, that clearly is non-participation, and will be graded accordingly.
Readings
The readings will be made available as PDF files on the course web page.They will be announced later.
Course Outline
A rough course outline will be posted sometime in the Summer.
Other Stuff
A more detailed page will be up sometime later in the Fall.
If you have questions about the site or the course, please e-mail me at ron at albany dot edu.