Discussion board reminder
Remember, after you’ve logged into the the discussion board, you need to finish the process as indicated by the instructions:
When you come back to the board after getting your confirmation email, log in to the board (with the “Log In” link in the top menu). Then click on the “Your Panel” item in the menu above, then on the “Edit Profile” item, then enter your real name (first and last) into the “Real Name” box. Then click the “OK” button at the bottom of the page. That should send you back to a page that says “Your profile has been edited successfully.”
My office hours
My office hours are now really set:
Monday 2:40-3:30 and Friday 9-10 in HUM 314
Help on playing videos
If you’re having trouble just clicking on videos and getting them to play (even after RealPlayer is installed), here’s a 1 minute video with some tips on trying to get things to work here or embedded below.
Board and survey
The discussion board and pre-semester survey are now available on the Online activities page. You’ll need to use the password given out in the bulk email to the class to access that page.
Welcome to “Philosophy in Science Fiction”
This is the home page for Philosophy 340, “Topics in Philosophy: Philosophy in Science Fiction”, to be taught in the Fall semester of 2010 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 focuses 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 comes from science fiction readings, movies, and television.
The information on this web page will increase as the Fall 2010 semester approches. For now, you can get a copy of the (very preliminary) syllabus here, or email me at ron at albany dot edu if you have questions about the course.