The first objective of the seminar is to provide the students with a basic knowledge of the history of science-fiction, especially in the fields of literature, cinema and comics. The second objective is to provide the students with both the stimuli and the instruments needed to develop a critical understanding of the relationships between science and science-fiction in the mass-media, where nowadays the two fields are getting more and more confused with one another. This is particularly important relatively to scientific communication, but also to communication as such, given the increasing importance that science and technology are destined to have into our society.
Course Prerequisites
None.
Teaching Methods
Educational activity will be developed through frontal lessons, supported by a very detailed set of PowerPoint presentations and, especially with respect to the monographic part, also films, documentaries, and other multimedia tools, including some talks and interviews recorded by the professor himself during international scientific congresses which he has personally attended. If possible, there will be also some moments of dialogue with some significative personalities working in the field of science and science-fiction.
Assessment Methods
There is no assessment of learning. The seminar will be considered passed if the student has attended at least 75% of the lessons.
Contents
1) Institutional part The first part of the seminar is an introduction to the history of science-fiction and the main topics and problems related to it. 2) Monographic part The second part of the course is about some specific topics, every year different, chosen among the main themes of science-fiction.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Students may talk to the professor at the end of each lesson of the course. In the presence of adequate reasons, also by appointment, to be agreed with the professor by phone (335/8205220) or e-mail (paolo.musso@uninsubria.it). More precise details about the course and the exam will be provided each year in a special file entitled “Descrizione del corso e modalità di esame”, which will be uploaded before the beginning of the lessons to the E-learning platform. Students are therefore kindly requested to download it as soon as possible and to read it very carefully in all its parts.
