ILC-301 ALIEN LIVES from Ezekiel & Job to Exobiology

Spring Term, 2007

01.05.2007 23:05 MST

• 3 cr.
  • Fulfills TRL Core (for TRL-240), Major & Minor elective, PSY Major & Minor elective, general elective
  • Prerequisite: ENG 117
• Professors: Taylor, LeLieuvre
• Visiting: Dr. Nancy Howell, St. Paul Seminary KS; Dr. Brenda Denzler, Independent Scholar
• Meeting times:
  • M-W 13.00 hrs - 15.45 hrs
  • 6 hrs/week -
  • Book Talks:
  • MSRS Events: Nancy Howell presentation
    Brenda Denzler presentation
• Location: -- SULH

SCHEDULE
continuously updated program of the course: activities, assignments, topics

DESCRIPTION

Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for having visions of other planets and other living, rational creatures. Mysteries of alien life abound in the biblical literature, Ezekiel, Job and Daniel most obviously; the apocalyptic literature less so. And what about the rabbinic literature? Coming down to modern modern times, beings from other worlds abound in literature - and experience. Is there a common thread in the phenomena? What is there from a theological, viz. a Christian perspective? What science comes into play? What psychology? Are we caught between chauvinistic speciesism - anthropocentrism - and romantic or gothic fascination with the strange, the alien, the other?

PURPOSE
objectives of the course

PERFORMANCE
to demonstrate and advance learning, find and verify outcomes in relations to objectives

• Everybody produces a paper in stages (the professors will too):
  • any area of the course
  • type
    • comparison/contrast
    • analytical
    • constructive
  • procedure
    • ideas (first couple weeks) - on Message Board
    • outline (see schedule - timeline t.b.a.)
    • draft 1
    • draft 2
    • final draft
  • extensive feeback at every step - suggestions, recommendations, ...
    • on methods
    • ideas
    • arguments
    • composition
    • research
• Message Board:
  • open postings - whatever is on your mind vis à vis the course
  • responses to instructors' postings & questions
  • responses to each other
• Class discussion
• Final public presentation -

FEEDBACK
For assessment of progress and of learning, to see if outcomes are in line with objectives;
all course activities call for feedback marking progress in learning.

• Critical Incident Report - feedback on each session
  The good, the bad, and the ugly. Questions or issues you'd like to discuss further? Something strike you especially? Take issue with something said?
• for student work (html - if you just want to look at it) (web-fillable form available here)
• for teacher work (html - if you just want to look at it) (web-fillable form available here)

Grading
See Grade Standards Sheet

• Professor, students and outside assessors will judge the quality of work in the cours based on progress toward the objectives. Standard within objectives relate to specific assignments and activities. During the term, students and professor will consult about progress toward each objective.
• PASS/FAIL Option is available to eligible students who elect it at the beginning of the course.
  • P/F is not for everybody - majors in one of the three areas may not be eligible
  • P/F requires 'C' level work at a minimum - it is probably not a good option if you normally do 'B' or 'A' work
  • P/F does not affect grade point averages
• The question to ask in this course is not: "How do I get a better grade?" nor "Can I get extra credit?" but "How do I do better work?"

READING LIST
the more you read, the more you learn

• C. S. Lewis, The Ransom Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet; Perelandra; That Hideous Strength)
• Downing, David C. Planets in Peril: a Critical Study of C.S. Lewis's Ransom Trilogy
• St. Thomas Aquinas, De substantiis separatis
• Ezekiel (selections)
• Job (all)
• Giordano Bruno
• Daniel (selections)
• Brenda Denzler