ENGL A147H: Introduction to Science Fiction Honors
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 12/02/2020 |
| Top Code | 150300 - Comparative Literature |
| Units | 3 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S),
|
| Associate Arts Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Associate Science Local General Education (GE) |
|
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
Read, analyze, and write on important works of science fiction. Explore the historical, cultural, philosophical, and aesthetic implications of representative works. Formulate and produce written analyses of assigned works. Enrollment Limitation: ENGL A147; students who complete ENGL A147H may not enroll in or receive credit for ENGL A147. ADVISORY: ENGL C1000. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Write Analytical arguments about science fiction and its influences.
Course Objectives
- 1. Read and demonstrate an understanding of no fewer than 4 long work of Science Fiction literature, supplemented by either more long works or enough shorter works or excerpts of works to constitute an introductory survey course.
- 2. Identify and examine the philosophical, cultural, mythic, religious, and/or historical elements that are represented in science fiction literature or that provide a background context for science fiction literature.
- 3. Learn to read closely in order to recognize and interpret the literary devices and writing styles evident in individual texts of Science Fiction literature. Appreciate how these elements make each work a representation of an individual authors artistic sensibility, of a particular set of circumstances, and/or of a larger group of literature.
- 4. Examine the influence of different gender, economic, cultural, racial, and/or ethnic groups on Science Fiction literature.
- 5. Recognize how individual works of Science Fiction literature reflect and comment on moral, social, and aesthetic issues.
- 6. Write about Science Fiction literature.
- 7. Compare and categorize works of Science Fiction based on major themes, specific movements within the science fiction genre, and larger cultural and historical trends within works of Science Fiction literature.
- 8. Compare and categorize works of science fiction based on major themes, specific movements within the Science Fiction genre, and larger cultural and historical trends within works of Science Fiction literature.
Lecture Content
Introduction to the origin and defining traits of Science Fiction Define “Science,” “Fiction,” and “Science Fiction.” Identify periods of science fiction and the dominant traits of representative works. Early Science Fiction of the 18th and 19th centuries Late industrial Science Fiction The Golden Age of Science Fiction Cyberpunk and Post Modernism Recognize dominant traits of the genre “Science Fiction.” Classify sub-genres within Science Fiction such as “Post-apocalyptic,” “Time Travel,” “Cyberpunk,” “Steam Punk,” “Hard Sci-fi,” and “Dystopian.” Discuss Science Fictions relationship to “Literature” and significant literary movements. Distinguish Science Fiction from Fantasy. Identify Historical and cultural contexts of particular Science Fiction works. Recognize important historical moments-- the industrial revolution, Darwins theory of evolution, World War I, the atomic-bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, The Cold War, and the computer boom—and their influence on science fiction writers Discuss Science Fiction as a form of social critique, as providing commentary on the historical moment to which it is responding. Compare different works from the same historical milieu or works addressing similar social problems or ethical questions. Explain trends and patterns in science fiction across historical periods. Discuss and Evaluate important authors of Science Fiction. Identify the dominant traits of important Science Fiction authors such as H.G. Wells, George Orwell, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Clifford Simak, Stanislaw Lem, Frederik Pohl, Ursula LeGuin, Harlan Ellison, William Gibson, Octavia Butler, Samuel Delaney, and Philip K. Dick. Discuss the importance of gender, race, class, and ethnicity to the authors works. Analyze figurative language, literary allusions, and literary tropes employed by the author. Recognize the authors position in the Science Fiction canon and his/her contribution to its evolution as a genre. Analyze and critique various dominant themes of Science Fiction. Identify themes specific to Science Fiction: utopia/dystopia, man versus machine, free will under ever more powerful technology, memory, blurring boundaries between the real and imaginative, other world imperialism, post-apocalyptic survival, communication between worlds and species, erasure of sexual or racial difference, etc. Compare the treatment of a theme across historical periods or authors works. Recognize the difference between themes and topics. Apply Literary theory to works of Science Fiction. Employ at least two different methods of literary analysis. Recognize the strengths and limitations of 2 methods of literary analysis. Identify the influence of criticism on the evolution of science fiction as a genre. Evaluate science fiction as an art form and as a form of social/philosophical inquiry.
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
Instructional Techniques
Lecture and application of ideas, discussion, instructor feedback on written papers and discussion, peer feedback.
Reading Assignments
Reading Assignments: Approximately 2- 4 hours per week, approximately 32-54 hours total per semester. Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss assigned reading which includes but is not limited to the Science Fiction novels, short stories, poetry, and drama as well as secondary sources on the literature. Works from Fantasy Literature may be used for comparative purposes. As an Honors course Students devote 1-2 hours per week reading works designated for Honors.
Writing Assignments
Writing: Approximately2-4 hours per week/32-54 hours per semester to write a minimum of 3000 words (15 pages, 12 pt. double spaced typed) about science fiction literature: (a) a minimum of 2000 words (10 pages) be in the form of analytical essays, (b) the other writings may be in the form of tests requiring primarily short and/or long essay responses, journal writings, creative modeling of the literature, written notes outlining oral presentations, written scripts for film/video presentations, or other types of writings that demonstrate an understanding of the literature. For Honors section, students may be devoting 1-2 hours per week on Honors project.
Out-of-class Assignments
Out-of-Class Assignments: Approximately, 2-4 hours per week for a total 32-54 hours per semester. The writing assignments for this class are mostly completed out of class are are listed under "Writing Assginments." For the Honors section, students may devote 1-2 hours per week 16-20 hours per semester meeting with the instructor to discuss Honors works and/or Honor projects.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Schedule written examinations, including a midterm and final exam; short written discussions of the works and ideas related to them, weekly quizzes.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Write a minimum of 3000 words (15 pages, 12 pt. double.spaced typed) about science fiction literature: (a) a minimum of 2000 words (10 pages) be in the form of analytical essays, (b) the other writings may be in the form of tests requiring primarily short and/or long essay responses, journal writings, creative modeling of the literature, written notes outlining oral presentations, written scripts for film/video presentations, or other types of writings that demonstrate an understanding of the literature.
Eligible Disciplines
English: Masters degree in English, literature, comparative literature, or composition OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in linguistics, TESL, speech, education with a specialization in reading, creative writing, or journalism OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required Atwood, Margaret. Oryx and Crake, latest ed. New York: Doubleday, 2003 Rationale: - 2. Required Butler, Octavia E.. . Parable of the Sower, latest ed. New York: Warner Books, 1993 Rationale: - 3. Required Gibson, William. Neuromancer, latest ed. New York: The Berkley Publishing Group, 1984 Rationale: - 4. Required Gunn, James, ed.. . The Road to Science Fiction: Volume 2 From Wells to Heinlein. 4 Volumes, latest ed. Lanham, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press, 2002 Rationale: - 5. Required Heinlein, Robert A. . Stranger in a Strange Land, latest ed. New York: G. P. Putnams Sons, 1961 Rationale: - 6. Required LeGuin, Ursula. The Left Hand of Darkness, latest ed. New York: Ace, 1969 Rationale: - 7. Required Orwell, George. 1984, latest ed. New York: Penguin Books, 1949 Rationale: - 8. Required Vonnegut, Kurt Jr.. . Slaughterhouse Five, latest ed. New York: Dell Publishing Group, 1969 Rationale: -