Lit 166-A: Science Fiction

Fall 2008 TR 12:50-2:15 Room 2-14

Professor Sharran S. Slinkard

Office: 2-05U Hours: Monday-Friday: 11:30-12:30,

And by appointment

Telephone: 964-6549 E-mail: ssslinkard@dmacc.edu

Webpage: http://www.dmacc.edu/instructors/ssslinkard

Course Description: A survey of speculative fiction. Examines major influential works in their literary, social, and cultural contexts. Critical analysis is emphasized.

Required Text and Materials:

1. Decades of Science Fiction, ed. Appplewhite Minyard

2. Pocket folder, loose-leaf paper, stapler

Attendance and Participation: Regular attendance is required because it is critical to understanding material in this discussion-oriented course. Successful literature students come to class prepared: their reading is done and they are ready to engage in intelligent and lively discussion. Students' well thought-out opinions, relevant questions, and astute observations will make the course more valuable for everyone. If you do not attend class for any reason, you miss that day’s lecture and discussion. Head’s up: coming to class unprepared could result in dismissal from the day’s discussion. Because coming to class late creates a disturbance, two tardies equal one absence. The same holds for leaving class early.

Late Work: Readings, responses to daily discussion questions, papers, and exams are due on the dates listed in the schedule. Because I am aware that extenuating circumstances do arise, students are allowed to submit papers, journals, and exams 1 and 2 late, as listed in the schedule. After this date, and once class ends, late work cannot be accepted for any reason, so please do not ask. There is no grade penalty for late work; however, late work will not receive commentary as will work that is submitted on time. The final paper, journal, and exam are not subject to this late-work extension and must be turned in by the due date—no exceptions. Exams, which need to be scheduled with me in advance, must be taken before the late date. Again, because the late option is generous, no extensions will be granted.

Literature Assignments:

Academic Journal (60%): Students will keep a three-phase academic journal containing written responses based on our readings, lecture, and class discussions. Details are distributed in class with the syllabus.

Due dates:

Unit 1: October 7

Unit 2: October 30

Unit 3: December 2—no late option

Papers (40%): In lieu of comprehensive midterm and final exams, students will write literary analysis papers averaging at five-seven pages in length. Papers must be typed, double-spaced in the MLA style, New Courier size 12 font, and written in correct Standard English. Details are distributed in class with the syllabus. Incorrect formatting will result in grade penalty.

Due dates:

Midterm Paper: October 16

Final Paper: December 4—no late option

Extra Credit: Students who come on time and attend every class for each discussion unit will earn an additional 1/3 letter grade on their academic journal.

Grading: Grading standards for papers and journals are distributed in class with the syllabus.

A+ 100 B+ 89 C+ 79 D+ 69

A 96 B 86 C 76 D 66

A- 93 B- 83 C- 73 D- 63

F 50

0 no work done

Integrity and Civility: Students are expected to be respectful, honest, and, courteous. There are consequences for interrupting, cheating, dishonesty, rudeness, etc. as will be discussed in class. In other words, the manners of polite society apply in the classroom.

Special Needs: It is the policy of DMACC to accommodate students with disabilities. Any student with a documented disability who requires reasonable accommodation should contact the special needs coordinator at (515) 964-6850 voice or TTY (515) 964-6810.

Additional Assistance: I encourage students to take advantage of the academic services available free of charge. Successful students visit the Academic Achievement Center in building 6 and conference with me on a regular basis.

DMACC EMAIL: In the event of my absence, I will email students early in the morning, if not the evening before (emergencies notwithstanding). All DMACC students are assigned a DMACC email address. Accessing your DMACC email:

On the DMACC web page (www.dmacc.edu) click on the “Web mail” link in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

Enter your user name and password. For assistance, click on the Help Desk link to obtain your user name and student ID#. Your password is the last four digits of your Student ID#. For additional information, call (515-965-7300 or 1-800-362-2127 ext. 7300) or email (helpdesk@dmacc.edu) the Help Desk.

DISCLAIMER: I reserve the right to change this syllabus at any time. Changes will be announced in class. Any exceptions to stated policies and requirements will be addressed on an individual basis and only for reasons that meet specific requirements.

Reminder: Assignments are due for discussion the day they are listed in the schedule.

WEEK ONE: AUGUST 26, 28

Tuesday: Introductions.

Thursday: Getting Acquainted. Please have all your course materials with you. Read the syllabus carefully and bring your questions about course requirements.

WEEK TWO: SEPTEMBER 2, 4

Tuesday: Unit 1: The Early Years through the Pulps. Introduction to Science Fiction. In Decades of Science Fiction, read pages XI-XVI. For your first journal entry, and before you read and prepare today’s assignment, answer the following questions: 1. What is Science Fiction? 2. Why should we study science fiction? Your journal entries will form the basis of today’s discussion.

Thursday: Chapter One. Read pages 1-9.

“Master Zacharius,” 1874—Jules Verne.

For each short story, students are to prepare the Discussion Questions and Writing Topics following each story. Your responses will form the basis of class discussion. Be sure to read the author background for each story.

Note: on occasion, writing topics call for an essay or to work in small groups. Simply treat the topic as a regular journal entry.

Week Three: SEPTEMBER 9, 11

Tuesday: “The Crystal Egg,” 1899—H.G. Wells.

Thursday: Chapter Two. Read pages 57-63.

“The Metal Man,” 1928—Jack Williamson.

Week Four: SEPTEMBER 16, 18

Tuesday: Chapter Three. Read pages 89-96.

“The Mad Moon,” 1935—Stanley Weinbaum.

Thursday: “Misfit,” 1939—Robert Heinlein.

Week Five: SEPTEMBER 23, 25

Tuesday: Chapter Four. Read pages 139-147.

“Robbie,” 1940—Isaac Asimov.

Thursday: “Desertion,” 1944—Clifford D. Simak.

Week Six: September 30, OCTOBER 2

Tuesday: “That Only a Mother,” 1948—Judith Merril.

Thursday: NO CLASS.

Week Seven: OCTOBER 7, 9

Tuesday: Discussion: Writing About Literature. Please have read midterm paper materials and have your questions ready.

Unit 1 journal due.

Thursday: Unit 2: The Nuclear Age through New Wave.

Chapter Five. Read pages 189-199. “The Exiles,” 1950—Ray Bradbury.

Week Eight: OCTOBER 14, 16

Tuesday: “Scanners Live in Vain,” 1950—Cordwainer Smith.

Late unit 1 journal due—no exceptions.

Thursday: “Death between the Stars,” 1956—Marion Zimmer Bradley.

Midterm paper due.

Week Nine: OCTOBER 21, 23

Tuesday: Chapter Six. Read pages 261-270. “The Ship Who Sang,” 1961—Anne McCaffrey.

Thursday: “’Repent, Harlequin!’” Said the Ticktockman,” 1966—Harlan Ellison.

Late midterm paper due—no exceptions.

Week Ten: OCTOBER 28, 30

Tuesday: “The Electric Ant,” 1969—Philip K. Dick.

Thursday: Unit 3: The Computer Age Beyond.

Chapter Seven. Read pages 319-330. “The Sliced-Crosswise Only-on-

Tuesday World,” 1971—Philip Jose Farmer.

Unit 2 journal due.

Week Eleven: NOVEMBER 4, 6

Tuesday: “Cloak of Anarchy,” 1972—Larry Niven.

Thursday: “The Hunting,” 1976—Doris Beetem.

Late unit 2 journal due—no exceptions.

Week Twelve: NOVEMBER 11, 13

Tuesday: Chapter Eight. Read pages 397-407. “Valhalla,” 1986—Gregory Benford.

Thursday: “Skin Deep,” 1987—Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

Week Thirteen: NOVEMBER 18, 20

Tuesday: “At the Rialto,” 1989—Connie Willis.

Thursday: Chapter Nine. Read pages 479-487. “Steelcollar Worker,” 1992—Vonda McIntyre.

Week Fourteen: NOVEMBER 25, 27

Tuesday: “The Hammer of God,” 1992—Arthur C. Clarke.

Read the final paper materials and bring your questions.

Thursday: Thanksgiving Holiday—no classes.

Week Fifteen: DECEMBER 2, 4

Tuesday: The Short Story Oscars. Answer each question below, providing your reasons as well.

1. Which story represents the best example of literature?

2. Which story represents the worst example of literature?

3. Which is your favorite story?

4. Which story do you like the least?

5. Which story disturbed you the most?

6. Which character do you like the most?

7. Which narrator do you find the most reliable?

8. Which story taught you the most?

9. Which story did you find the most challenging?

10. Post-discussion commentary: Taking into account the selections made by the class, what stories seemed to be overlooked? Why do you think that these stories were not considered in this election?

Unit 3 journal due—no late option. If you wish to have your paper returned, it must be submitted by today.

Thursday: Course Conclusions. Final paper due—no exceptions. Papers will not be returned.