A humanities-based interdisciplinary course on the problems and issues of first contact and interactions between humanity and non-Terran entities. What do the histories, experiences, and interactions of humans with other humans, animals, plants, AI?s and postulated superhuman beings reveal about our limitations, biases and opportunities in the preparations for first contact? How might the humanities (religious studies, literature, history, philosophy, ethics, etc.) contribute to the protocols and thinking about first contact that move beyond scientific, pragmatic and anthropocentric western paradigms of rational knowledge and subjectivity.
4
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeNone
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeOne of the best classes ever taken! The assigned readings were a few page articles that were about very interesting topics. The grading was very light and not about how good the paper was but that you followed his guidelines. He gave you the option of what kind of final you can write. A lot of creative liberty and room for open-minded discussion.
I took his First Contact class, and honestly it was one of the most fun upper divs I could have taken. The only thing is that he didn't use gauchospace to input grades throughout the quarter, so my only knowledge of my grades was from the hardcopy papers he would pass back. He respects the class's opinions and as long as you try you will do well.
Just show up to lecture and pay attention and you'll get an A. The guy gives out extra credit opportunities like its candy. Skim the readings. You can really tell he's passionate about the material.
Not too bad if you go to class. Prof is a bit uptight about attendance and will go above and beyond to get people to show up even though attendance is not required for lectures. Overall not too bad but be prepared to got to lecture most of the time
sleazy and unprofessional!! do not recommend this prof/class
Horrible professor!! Very unprofessional and disorganized. Will go to extreme lengths to make sure students fail