A brief overview of the topics we will cover in Astronomy 141, setting the stage for how we can make a serious scientific inquiry out of the question of whether or not there is life elsewhere in the Universe. It is a short lecture, the first half was an overview of course mechanics (tests, homework, office hours, etc.) that I did not record. Recorded live on 2009 Sep 23 in Room 1005 Smith Laboratory on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.