Abigail Oakes found this interesting site that is relevant to our class.  It is http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/sc/web/full-episodes/titles/22622/the-incredible-bionic-man.  How would you define human vs other?

Soon you will be creating your own world.  You have some good, fundamental material to begin the task.  At a minimum, you should include information on weather, geography, and organisms for your world.  There should be a maximum of 5 people in your world group.  You may include illustrations if you wish, but it is not required.  You will need to include a complete bibliography for your materials used in planning the world.

There are many online resources about science fiction/fantasy world building other than the one given to you on NewDLE for the class.  Some are useful while others are lacking.  You need to plan carefully and work with your group regularly.  While breaking into subgroups is fine, you will need to collaborate closely to make sure that everyone has the same ideas about where the world is headed in your creation.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.

Keep as your guide the question:  Is it scientifically realistic?

Cloning is a topic found in many forms within the science fiction genre.  As our understanding of the possible/practical has improved, the portrayal of cloning has differed.  Take a look at some of the short stories in the virtual library about cloning.  Can you categorize the type of cloning used?  Is the cloning an integral part of the story or incidental?

We will begin exploring the world of the scientist and how she views life.  The essay on the works of Thomas Kuhn will set the stage for our discussions along with information from Joan Slonsczewski (microbiologist).  Please review these items as you discuss how science fiction is used to examine the limits of life.  This type of discussion is especially interesting in view of the recent resurgence of the notion of zombies.  Authors like Sturgeon (More Than Human) and Mary Shelley (Frankenstein) inter alia have considered not only what constitutes life but also what is considered human.  Make your contribution to the discussion.

Welcome and ground rules

Welcome to the science of science fiction blog for 2013.  We will be using the blog to discuss issues of interest for the class of the same title and perhaps to continue as an interest group in the future. You should check regularly to see the threads created and to post your comments.  You should make sure that you are civil in your comments and responses.  It is your responsibility to do the readings for class and to attend film sessions regularly.  I encourage you to talk with each other in groups and to post for class discussion often.  This will give us a record to consider for examining how our ideas change over the course of the term.  Posting images should be done responsibly.