ENLT 378: Science Fiction (Fall 2007)

Prof. Wendy C. Nielsen


cyber woman
T. Gravestock, used with permission from Refocus-Now

ENLT 378: Science Fiction (15183)
Mondays 5:30-8 PM, UN 3054

http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/sf07.html
http://english.montclair.edu

Prof. Wendy Nielsen
Office Hours in Dickson Hall 352: M 2:30-5:30, & by appt.
Email: nIElsEnw@mail . . . 

Texts available at University Bookstore:
 Electronic versions of out-of-print materials are available as pdf files on Blackboard <http://montclair.blackboard.com> (please bring hard copies or laptops to class). You might need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader, and if you don't have a high-speed connection at home, I suggest you download and print these texts at school. We will also be using Wiki Spaces <http://www.wikispaces.com>, for which you'll need to sign up for a free username so that you can edit our pages  <http://profwendy.wikispaces.com/SF07>/
Course description:   This course investigates science fiction and genre-defining works from varying time periods, making this an excellent class for first-time sci-fi readers and enthusiasts alike. We will focus on those qualities that distinguish science fiction (“fiction of the future that speculates and extrapolates from the physical and social sciences”) and its history. Discussion topics include utopias/dystopias, the limits of being human, gender and class relations, and the uncanny. These ideas will lead us to better understand the role SF plays in modern ecocriticism, as well as woman writers' contributions to these conversations.  Readings will range from novels and/or novellas from authors such as E.T.A. Hoffmann (The Sandman), Zamyatin (We), Octavia Butler (Parable of the Talents), and R. Sawyer (Hominids); short stories by Francis Bacon (New Atlantis) Margaret Atwood, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Philip K. Dick (of Minority Report and Total Recall fame); and polemical texts. Activities will include class discussion of texts, television shows, film clips, and a book review of your favorite science fiction. Fulfills “other literature” (1c), “women writers” (4c), and “class issues” for English majors.

Requirements:
Policies:
Tentative schedule subject to change; please check your Montclair email and <http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/sf07.html> for updates
Date
Class Activities
HW due
1. Sept. 10
Course + student intro.; SF definitions; Why read SF?; ST, "Charlie X;" Online poll: Your fav. SF; "Charlie X," Star Trek (Orig. Series)  Read I. Asimov, "The Name of Our Field," "The Influence of Sci Fi;" U. K. Le Guin, "American SF and the Other," available on Blackboard <http://montclair.blackboard.com> (see note above), and from How to Write SF, 3-25; See also David Brin on SF, The Onion on SF; SF cover art

Unit I: Short Stories about Robots and the Uncanny

2. Sept. 17
Review; Qualities of good SF; Hugo Award; Nebula Award; Creative Writing; Screenwriting; "The Invaders," Twilight Zone
Sign up for a Wiki Spaces account;  read from Masterpieces: I. Asimov, "Robot Dreams" (91-6); U. K. Le Guin, "The Ones Who Walk Away" (212-17); Read from How to Write SF, 76-103: Go back and read critical articles from day 1 if you haven't already. DISC. 1: Write 3 discussion questions (either ones you would pose as an instructor of the class, things you are confused about in the reading, or a mix between the two) and bring them to class (will be collected). The purpose of discussion questions is to open a dialogue between you and me; to make this a student-centered classroom; and to help students become better writers by becoming critical thinkers, or people who question what they read. Discussion questions are evaluated on a check (average, show you did the reading), check plus (insightful, original, possibly brilliant, probably shared during class), or check minus (you didn't do the reading or simply copied questions discussed in class) basis. Discussion questions are not mandatory but are taken into consideration for your Participation Grade. See also note in Policies above. Complete online poll, "Your Favorite SF"
3. Sept. 24
Review; Hoffmann Bio; The Sandman (1815/16); German orig.; Freud; clip from Blade Runner (dir. R. Scott, 1982); In-class writing Read E. T. A. Hoffmann, The Sandman & Freud, "The Uncanny" (both avail. as pdf files on Blackboard--please bring hard copies to class). DISC. 2: Write 3 discussion questions and bring them to class
4. Oct. 1
Review; P. K. Dick Bio; Journals; P. K. Dick and the Uncanny; Midterm Exam Ques.  Read from Masterpieces: R. Heinlein, "All You Zombies--" 36-46; R. Bradbury, "Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed" (130-144); From P. K. Dick Reader, "The Hanging Stranger," (13-26), "The Golden Man" (29-56); "The Father Thing" (101-110); Write Journal #1: Write 1 page (ca. 250 words) about any aspect of P. K. Dick, Freud, Hoffmann, SF, or the uncanny. You might answer one of your own or another student's interpretive questions from the previous class, closely analyze a specific passage, or reflect on any relevant issue. NB: You only have to write about one text, and I do not expect you to write about every story assigned: instead, choose your own focus. Although each individual journal is not graded, I expect you to complete all 3 assigned journal entries, which will be graded when they are presented in a revised Journal Portfolio. Bring a copy to class and post your response to Blackboard/Discussion as well. 
5. Oct. 8
End of BR; SF and Religion; Art of the Book Review; Midterm Review
Read from Masterpieces: Arthur C. Clark, "The Nine Billion Names of God" (110-29); Read from P. K. Dick Reader, "Fair Game" (1-12) and "The Turning Wheel" (57-73); U. K. Le Guin, "Myth and Archetype in SF" (Blackboard); and McGrath, Charles. “A Prince of Pulp, Legit at Last.”   New York Times ( May 6, 2007): 2.1 (Bb); also bring to class: U. K. Le Guin, "American SF and the Other"
6. Oct. 15
Midterm Exam--no make-up dates!!!
Bring books, copies of Hoffmann and Freud, and 1-page outline to class

Unit II: Novels about Gender, Utopias/Dystopias, and Ecocriticism

7. Oct. 22
Bacon Bio; D. Lessing/H. Bloom; SF Projects Read F. Bacon, "New Atlantis;" Ursula K. Le Guin, "New Atlantis;" Margaret Atwood, "Homelanding" (Blackboard) DISC. 3: Write 3 discussion questions and bring them to class; bring copy of PK Dick review to class (from Oct. 8)
8. Oct. 29
Review; We
Read Zamyatin, 1-113 (through 19th entry);  Journal #2: Write on any aspect of one or more texts from this week's reading, or you can start your SF Projects by writing a film review. Bring a copy to class and post your response to Blackboard/Discussion as well. 
9. Nov. 5
We; Revolution Read Zamyatin, 114-end; Bring a hard copy of your outlines and proposals for SF Projects to class: What projects do you plan to work on, what might your roles be in building this online journal, and what are your own due dates to accomplish these tasks? (will be collected). Also come to class with ideas for renaming the journal.   
10. Nov. 12
O.B. obit.; Stud. Ques. on Parable of the Talents; Group Ques.; Workshop groups Read Butler, 1-205; DISC. 4: Write 3 discussion questions and bring them to class 
11. Nov. 19
Review; Journals; Parable of the Talents : Ques. Read Butler, 206-408 Journal #3: Write on any aspect of Butler's novel. Bring a copy to class and post your response to Blackboard/Discussion as well.
12. Nov. 26
Review; RJS; His page on Hominids; Expectations for Project SF Read Sawyer, 1-206 [NEW]

13. Dec. 3
Informal oral presentations: Project SF
Fri. Nov. 30th: Offer 3 editing suggestions in the Discussion section of Wikispaces; Prepare to present your contributions to Project SF in class; hard copies of Project SF due
14. Dec. 10
Hominids; Journal & Participation Portfolios collected; Final Exam Ques. Read Sawyer, 207-end; Journal Portfolio due; Participation Portfolio due (optional: staple and submit old and/or missing discussion questions).
Mon., Dec. 17
Final Exam, 5:30-7:30 in UN 3054
Bring books, copies of stories, and 1-page outline to class

Last updated Aug. 2007, WCN