English 360– Science Fiction
Spring 2013
Dr. Robert Lynch
Office: Grainger G08
Phone: 395-2167
Email: rlynch@longwood.edu
Office Hours: MW 9-9:50, TR 11-11:50 and by appointment
This
course will function as a seminar which examines a variety of classic and
modern science fiction through novels and other mass media offerings.
Specifically the course will introduce students to the major writers, major
themes, major types and classifications of science fiction from its early
literary origins to its full scale blossoming in the twentieth century. The
class will examine the definitions, conventions, tropes and the development of
approximately a dozen significant subgenres. We will read and view works by the
major figures of the twentieth century including, Bradbury, Burroughs, Gibson, LeGuin, Wells and others.
Texts:
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Discuss the works of a number of
important writers in the genre
2. Discuss
the history and movements within the genre.
3. Understand and articulate ideas
of genre, subgenres, and genre boundaries
4. Identify and discuss many of the
important themes in the genre
5. Closely read and analyze literary
texts with precision and care;
6. Think critically about texts;
7. Orally present ideas,
information, interpretations, and questions with clarity and
confidence;
8. Conduct research and smoothly
integrate it into their work;
9. Learn and utilize MLA
documentation.
Reading Schedule (Tentative and Subject to Change)
Jan. 15: Introduction
Definitions of Science Fiction: What is
it and Why Should We Study It?
History of Science
Fiction: From the Greeks to Shelley’s Frankenstein to HG
Wells and Jules
Verne, etc.
Science
Fiction in America: Bellamy, Poe, Hawthorne, Melville, London, Twain
Film:
The Time Machine
Jan. 17: Space
Romance
Subgenre Definition and History
Wells, H.G.: The Time Machine, 5-71
Jan. 22: Space Opera
Subgenre Definition and History
Burroughs,Edgar Rice, Princess
of Mars, 1-76
Media: Flash Gordon, Tom
Corbett, etc.
Film: John Carter/Star Trek II:
The Wrath of Khan
Jan. 24: Burroughs,Edgar Rice, Princess of Mars, 76-145
Jan. 29: Aliens and
Space Travel
Subgenre Definition and History
Bradbury, Ray, The
Martian Chronicles, 1-89
Media: Orson Wells, War of the Worlds
“Zero Hour”
Films: Forbidden Planet, Alien
Jan. 31: Bradbury, Ray, The Martian
Chronicles, 89-end
Feb.
05: Military
Subgenre Definition and History
Haldeman, Joe, The Forever War, 3-102
Film: Starship Troopers/Ender’s Game
Feb. 07: Haldeman, Joe, The Forever War, 103-190
Feb. 12: Haldeman, Joe, he
Forever War, 191-end
Feb. 14: Feminist SF & Sexual Politics in SF
Subgenre Definition and History
LeGuin, Ursula, The Left Hand of Darkness, 1-97
Feb. 19: LeGuin, Ursula, The Left Hand of Darkness, 98-199
Feb. 21: LeGuin, Ursula, The Left Hand of Darkness, 200-end
Feb.
26: MIDTERM
Feb 28: Parallel Worlds and
Alternate Histories
Subgenre Definition and History
Greenberg:
Niven, Larry “All
the Myriad Ways”
Leiber, Fritz, "Catch
That Zeppelin"
Turtledove, Harry, “Archetypes”
Film: Planet of
the Apes
Mar.
12: Greenberg:
Robinson, Kim Stanley, “The
Lucky Strike”
Choose any two others
Mar. 14: New Wave and Cyberpunk
Subgenre Definition and History
Gibson, Burning
Chrome, 1-108
Mar.
19: Gibson,
Burning Chrome, 109-end
Film: The Matrix
Mar. 21: Hard Science
Subgenre Definition and History
Greg Bear, Darwin’s Radio, 3-109
Mar.
26: Greg Bear, Darwin’s Radio, 109-217
Mar. 28: Greg Bear, Darwin’s Radio, 218-334
Apr. 02: Greg Bear, Darwin’s Radio, 335-438
Apr.
04: Greg
Bear, Darwin’s Radio, 439-end
Apr. 09: Man and Machine (including Artificial Intelligences)
Subgenre Definition and History
Dick, Philip K., Blade Runner
(Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), 1-105
Asimov, Isaac, “Bicentennial
Man”
Media: “I Sing the Body
Electric”
“With Folded Hands”
Film: Blade Runner
Apr. 11: Dick, Philip K., Blade Runner (Do Androids
Dream of Electric Sheep?)105-end
Apr. 16: Bio-Tech
Subgenre
Definition and History
Bacigalupi, Paola. The Windup Girl, 1-85
Apr. 18: Bacigalupi, Paola. The Windup
Girl, 86-179
Apr. 23: Bacigalupi, Paola. The Windup
Girl, 179-264
Apr. 25: Bacigalupi, Paola. o 265-end
Course Requirements:
Two analytical essays—100 pts.
each
Midterm--100
pts.
Final Exam 100 pts.
Participation, Quizzes, and Twitter--100 pts.
Grading:
Attendance Policy:
The attendance policy for this course is the same as the
university policy in the University Catalog and the Student Handbook. Thus, if
you miss four or more times your grade may be reduced.
Tardies will count as absences after roll is taken or unless I'm notified
beforehand. No quizzes will be given out to those who come late.
Honor
Code:
Students are expected to live by the Longwood University Honor
Code. All work done for the class must be pledged. Your instructor will not
tolerate any form of cheating. You are expected to know what constitutes
plagiarism and how to avoid it. All ideas taken from sources, whether in texts
or online, must be cited. Remember that
your instructor also has access to these materials and they are easy to track
on-line. Any student caught plagiarizing will automatically fail the course and
his/her name will be forwarded to the Judicial Board.
Class
Discussion:
Students are expected to make regular and significant
contributions to class discussion. Your grade in this regard will be based upon
both daily contributions during the semester and taking the lead in guiding
class discussion for at least one class.
Class Participation Grading Scale:
|
90-100% |
Student is well prepared and enthusiastically
participates in all class activities; is very considerate and
cooperative with the rest of the class; asks questions and responds
to questions; demonstrates knowledge of course materials;
consistently practices critical thinking; actively helps to create a
vibrant learning community. |
|
80-89% |
Student is generally prepared and willing to
participate in class activities; is relatively cooperative with the
rest of the class; asks questions and responds to questions most of
the time; makes an inconsistent effort to refer to readings and
course topics; generally practices critical thinking; helps to
create a vibrant learning community. |
|
70-79% |
Student is often unprepared and reluctantly or
sporadically participates in class activities; often does not ask
questions or respond to questions; rarely makes an effort to
demonstrate knowledge of course materials; rarely practices critical
thinking; does not show much interest in creating a vibrant learning
community. |
|
60-69% |
Student is generally unprepared, unwilling to
participate in class activities and unable to answer questions; does
not formulate questions or responses; demonstrates little
understanding of course materials; does not practice critical
thinking; distracts from the creation of a vibrant learning
community. |
|
0-59% |
Student is absent (physically or mentally),
unprepared, inattentive, uncooperative or disruptive in class. |
Paper
Policy:
All papers are due on the date assigned at the beginning of
class. Late papers will not be accepted. No exceptions. Learning to deal with
deadlines is a part of life.
Office
Hours:
My office hours are posted and I will be available during
these times. If you need to see me and these times are not convenient, please
feel free to schedule a conference for some other mutually agreeable time.
Inclement Weather:
In the event of classes being cancelled due to inclement
weather, students are expected to keep up with the reading.
Leaving Classroom:
Please don’t interrupt class by getting up and leaving unless
you have an emergency. And please don’t interrupt a
second time by returning. Once you leave please be
courteous and stay out.