First-Year Writing Seminar (105-8-21)

Topic

Mars

Instructors

Brendan O'Kelly

Meeting Info

Parkes Hall 213: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

This seminar navigates Mars' unique place in the human imaginary, from ancient associations with gods of war, death, and plague to the current billionaire-dominated space race. Especially since astronomer Percival Lowell's late 19th century sighting of supposed "canals" as evidence of Martian engineering, Mars has served as the primary object in human fantasies about the colonization of other planets, whether utopian or dystopian, and has provided ripe fodder for allegories about hostile alien invasions. Interdisciplinary course materials including literature, film and marketing to astronomy and the history of science will provide ground to consider how human attitudes toward Mars reflect issues on Earth, especially given current escalations in the climate crisis. The course will conclude with a research-based essay that allows students to pursue the subject in relation to their own interests and major.

Class Attributes

WCAS First-Year Seminar
WCAS Writing Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.
Add Consent: Department Consent Required