College of the Redwoods
EXPERIMENTAL COURSE
Proposal and Outline
DATE: 8/31/07
COURSE ID AND NUMBER: Astronomy 88
COURSE TITLE: Teaching Science with Science Fiction
DISCIPLINE(S): (Select from CCC System Office Minimum Qualification for Faculty [copy following web address
and paste into web browser http://www.cccco.edu/divisions/esed/aa_ir/psmq/min_qual/min_quals%20_revApr406.pdf] Course may fit
more than one discipline; identify all that apply) Astronomy
Is this the first time this course has been offered?
TOTAL UNITS: 2 [Lecture Units:
TOTAL HOURS: 36 [Lecture Hours:
2
36
The second time?
Lab Units:
Lab Hours:
]
]
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 30
GRADING:
Submitted by:
Grade Only
CR/NC Only
Jon Pedicino
CR/NC Option
Tel. Ext. 4232
Division Chair: Tony Sartori
Date: 9/3/07
Review Date: 9/5/07
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE USE ONLY
Approved by Curriculum Committee: No
Board of Trustees Approval Date: 11/6/07
Yes
Date: 9/12/07
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
Should clearly state the scope of the course, its level, and what student goals the course is designed to fulfill.
Examining and exploring science from a different albeit popular perspective; science
fiction. From "Contact" to "Armaggeddon" to "Mission to Mars", we will critically
examine science fiction movies for their fact and fiction. We will also explore the curious
phenomenon of how science fiction can become science fact.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
What should students be able to do as a result of taking this course? State some of the objectives in terms of
specific, measurable student accomplishments.
1. Identify fundamental scientific concepts.
2. Distinguish between science fiction and science fact.
3. Draw conclusions about the nature of science in the context of natural and
supernatural phenomena.
4. Evaluate the accuracy of the portrayal of science and scientists in course material.
5. Interpret the culutural, social, and scientific commentary about our world offered in
science fiction material.
Approved: 2.11.05 (rev. 9/5/06)
Academic Senate Approved: 3.2.05
Page 1
May 29, 2016
COURSE CONTENT
Attach a copy of the course syllabus (including description, policies, and schedule of instruction and assignments).
see attached (Participation 40%, presentation 30% essay 30%)
REPRESENTATIVE LEARNING ACTIVITIES
What will students be doing (e.g., listening to lectures, participating in discussions and/or group activities, attending
a field trip)? Relate the activities directly to the Course Learning Outcomes.
1. Watching and critically evaluating science fiction movies.
2. Orally present analyses of class material.
3. Leading and participating in group discussions that critcally analyze and investigate
physical phenomena. (e.g gravity, geologic time, space propulsion).
4. Creating a project that evaluates theories presented in the class material.
ASSESSMENT TASKS
How will students show evidence of achieving the Course Learning Outcomes?
1. Oral presentations critically analyzing and exploring physical phenomena.
2. Participation in class discussions.
3. Creating a project in a broad cumulative context, evaluated primarily based on the
analyses of scientific concepts.
PREREQUISITES
No
Yes
Course:
Rationale for Prerequisite?
Describe representative skills without which the student would be highly unlikely to succeed.
COREQUISITES
No
Yes
Rationale for Corequisite:
Course:
RECOMMENDED PREPARATION
No
Yes
Course:
Rationale for Recommended Preparation:
EXAMPLES OF APPROPRIATE TEXTS OR OTHER READINGS: Title, Author, and Date are required.
Author Candelaria Matthew Title Speculations on Speculation, Theories of Science Fiction
Date 2005
Author David Seed Title A Companion to Science Fiction Date 2005
Other Appropriate Readings:
Handouts by Pedicino highlighting themes of scientific interest presented in the films.
Movie: Contact Date 1997
Movie: The Core Date 2004
Movie: Deep Impact Date 1998
Movie: 2001: A Space Odyssey Date 1980
Approved: 2.11.05 (rev. 9/5/06)
Academic Senate Approved: 3.2.05
Page 2
May 29, 2016
FOR VPAA USE ONLY
PROGRAM AND COURSE NUMBER ASTRO-88
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
1. Department: SCI Science
2. Subject: Astronomy
16. CoRequisite Course: None
Course No: 88
17. CoRequisite Noncourse: None
3. Credit Type: D Credit Degree Applicable
18. Maximum Class Size: 30
4. Min/Maximum Units: 0.5 to 3.0 variable units
19. Repeat/Retake: NR No repeats
5. Course Level: E Not Occupational
20. Count Retakes for Credit:
yes
no
6. Academic Level: UG Undergraduate
21. Only Pass/No Pass:
yes
no
7. Grade Scheme: UG Undergraduate
22. Allow Pass/No Pass:
yes
no
8. Short Title: Experimental Course in Astro
23. VATEA Funded Course:
yes
no
9. Long Title: Experimental Course in Astronomy
24. Accounting Method: W Weekly Census
10. National ID (CIP): 40.0201
25. Disability Status: N Not a Special Class
11. Local ID (TOPS): 191100
26. Billing Method: T-Term
12. Course Types:
 Level One Basic Skills: NBS Not Basic Skills
27. Billing Period: R-Reporting Term
28. Billing Credits: 2.0



Level Two Work Experience:
NWE Not Coop Work Experience
29. Purpose: A Liberal Arts Sciences
Level Three:
30. Articulation No. (CAN):
Placeholder for GE OR
DOES NOT APPLY
31. Articulation Seq. (CAN):
Level Four: If GE : Choose One:
32. Transfer Status: B Transfers to CSU only
13. Instructional Method: LL Lecture/Lab
14. Inst Ld (TLUs): 3.0
33. Equates to another course?
course number.
Contact Hours: 36
15. Prerequisite: None
Particular Comments for Printed Schedule.
Class will examine and explore science from a different albeit popular perspective; science fiction..
Approved: 2.11.05 (rev. 9/5/06)
Academic Senate Approved: 3.2.05
Page 3
May 29, 2016