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| Paper: |
Science in Literature: Teaching Astrobiology Using Octavia Butler's Dawn |
| Volume: |
539, ASP 2024: Astronomy Across the Spectrum |
| Page: |
219 |
| Authors: |
Howell, J. E. |
| Abstract: |
This paper describes methods for teaching students about fundamental concepts in search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and origins-to-life in the context of an interdisciplinary science and literature course. Students read, among other novels, Octavia Butler's Dawn (1993) and discussed its literary themes in parallel to its speculative science. After almost a full semester of discussing various ideas in evolution in discussion of various other texts, Dawn provided an effective framing for discussing fundamental questions in origins-to-life research. The pedagogical results and affective student response were much stronger than in a comparable lecture-based evolution general-education course. |
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