Introduction to Temporal Mechanics: Assignments
Written by Dan Carlson
Required Reading
I highly recommend reading these works, if you have the time. (Pun not intended!)
Syllabus
- Stardate 53260.3 - Test on Important Terms. Be prepared to identify and explain several types of temporal phenomena.
- Stardate 53276.8 - Complete reading of The Logic Of Time Travel and Temporal Situations
- Stardate 53287.7 - First essay assignment due (see below)
- Stardate 53309.2 - Finish reading The Time Machine and The End of Eternity
- Stardate 53317.8 - Second essay assignment due
- Stardate 53334.3 - Test on course readings
- Stardate 53352.8 - Complete review of Captain's Logs
- Stardate 53356.2 - Third essay assignment due
- Stardate 53378.1 - Final Exam
Essay Assignments
- Assignment #1: Create a temporal incursion scenario involving two of the concepts and two temporal phenomena listed on the "Important Terms" page. Thoroughly explain the progression of events and their effects.
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Assignment #2: Choose one of the incidents from The End of Eternity listed below. Describe what type of temporal incursion the incident represents, and postulate a theory as to how the situation began.
- The origins of Eternity
- Harlan's encounter with himself (Chapters 9 & 10)
- The possibility of reversing a change in the timeline (Chapter 15)
- The concept that time posesses a quality of "inertia"
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Assignment #3: By this time, you should be familiar with an officer's obligations when encountering temporal phenomena. Select a temporal incursion from the Captain's Logs, and discuss one of the following:
- How the incursion could have been avoided. Consider the captain's position at that time, and avoid hindsight. Interperet the situation based on the information available when the incursion began.
- How the captain could have better minimized the damage to the timeline. Do not simply agree with the officer's handling of the incident.
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This page was last modified on Friday, February 08, 2008.
