High Quality
Open the downloaded document, and select print from the file menu (PDF reader required).
LITMUSE.NET
1
In its simplest sense,speculative fictionasks a “what if”question of reality.
This section of ENGL 4482 PopularCulture willconsiderspeculative fiction(spec-fic), attemptto arrive at acritical definition,examine its variousforms, place itwithin a socialcontext, and itsculturalsignificance.
Many consider“speculative fiction”
as a synonym forscience fiction, since the latter speculatesabout the future. Does speculative fictiondiffer in any way from science fiction? Isthis difference significant? Is speculativefiction a sub-genre of science fiction, or vice versa? Are there other genresthat might also be consideredspeculative?
Along with our look atscience fiction,
we will alsoconsider texts within genres that arenot necessarily science fiction, butthat seem to be speculative in nature,like fantasy, magical realism,alternate histories, slipstream, andeven horror. If these genres, too, canbe considered speculative fiction,then treating spec-fic the same asscience fiction must be reconsidered.
Our ongoing task this semesterwill be
to consider the speculative natureof each of the texts we read in an effortto come to a more critical understanding of spec-fic. How does it, then, relate togenre fiction as a whole? Does its veryname suggest a more critical approach togenre fiction; i.e., is spec-fic defined notby the genre of the text, but by thecritical, thought-provoking nature of thetext regardless of genre or subjectmatter? Does that, then, make spec-ficthe
literature
of genre fiction?
ENGL 4482: Popular Culture
Spec-Fic coversmany genres of fiction, from science fiction to magical realism.
The information presented on this syllabus iscurrent as of Tuesday, May 27, 2008. For themost accurate information, see the course website: <litmuse.net>.
Dr. Gerald R. Lucas
Office: H/SS-117 •
Hours: TR 11a-12pm & by appointmentsf@grlucas.net•http://grlucas.net/
“Science fiction is that br anch of liter atur e w hich is concer ned w ith the im pact of scientific adv ance u pon human being s.” — I . A simov
LITMUSE.NET
2
Course Requirements
Science fiction “is the myth-making principle of human nature today.” —Lester del Rey
Our study of spec-fic will use thefollowing texts
:
‣
Mikhail Bulgakov.
The Master and Margarita
.
‣
Octavia Butler.
Kindred
.
‣
Steve Niles.
Richard Matheson’s
I AmLegend.
‣
Stanislaw Lem.
Solaris
.
‣
Sherri Tepper.
The Gate to Women’sCountry
.
‣
Various short stories as downloadablePDFs.
These books and storiesshould accompany you to class
onthe day they are assigned to be read (seeReading Schedule), as we will makeheavy use of them in our dailydiscussions. Please do not come to classwithout your text(s).
You should also bring an inkinterface
of some sort, as well as deadtrees on which to take notes. You shouldnot sit in class like you’re watching TV:learning requires active participation,especially in a shorter summer course.
Finally, since class lecture anddiscussion
will often touch on thecontroversial, this college classroom is notan appropriate place for children. Pleaseleave them at home.
There are three majorrequirements for this section of ENGL 4482
, each of which must besuccessfully completed to pass the course. Assignments are weighted on a pointsystem, depending on their importance.For example, a reading quiz might have10 points while the final exam might have200.
FINAL EXAM
A final cumulative exam will begiven
that will test your knowledge of the subject matter (texts, lecture material,and vocabulary), your ability to synthesizethis material, and your creativity in going beyond the discussion and lecturematerials. The final exam will include vocabulary, identification, andinterpretation. All exam grades will bebased upon objective knowledge of thematerial, thoroughness, depth of insight,precision, and originality.
WRITING
For each class period
, you arerequired to respond in writing. In mostcases, these responses will be written inan online forum directly after class, so theentire class can benefit from reading your
Skeleton Reading Schedule
This schedule represents the ideal outline for our study this semester, but it istentative and subject to change. Individual stories may be downloaded via thecourse web site; they should be printed on dead trees and brought with you to class.
5/27
Borges “Garden of the Forking Paths”, Gibson “Gernsback Continuum”
6/3
Bulgakov
The Master and Margarita
, Part 1
6/5
Bulgakov
The Master and Margarita
, Part 2
6/10
García-Márquez “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World”; Ballard“The Drowned Giant”
6/12
Calvino “The Distance of the Moon”
6/17
Butler
Kindred
, Prologue through “The Fight”
6/19
Butler
Kindred
, “The Storm” to end
6/24
Niles (Matheson)
I Am Legend
6/26
Niven “Man of Steel”; Di Filippo “Virus”
7/1
Tepper
The Gate to Women’s Country
, Chapters 1-19
7/3
Tepper
The Gate to Women’s Country
, Chapters 20-35
7/8
Tiptree, Jr. “The Girl Who Was Plugged In”
7/10
Ballard “The Enormous Space” & “Space Station”
7/15
Lem
Solaris
, “The Arrival” through “The Conference”
7/17
Lem
Solaris
, “The Monsters” through “The Old Mimoid”
7/22
Final Exam: 6-8pm
Required Materials
Continued on last page
LITMUSE.NET
3
ASSIGNMENTS
Your work represents you.Therefore, I expect everything you turninto me to exemplify the very best of yourprofessional self. Please proofread allwork before submission.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance will be taken at everyclass meeting. If you come in late, it is your responsibility to inform me of yourpresence that day. If you fail to do so, youare absent. Two tardies count as oneabsence. There are no “excusedabsences” in my class, but you areallowed to miss one class before yourgrade suffers. Each additional classmissed beyond the allotted one will resultin your final semester’s grade being dropped one letter.
DEADLINES
Late work is not acceptable and willreceive a zero. Technical, computermalfunctions are not acceptable excusesfor late work. Quizzes and in-classactivities cannot be made up for anyreason.
EMAIL
The best and quickest way of contacting me is via email. Only use theemail address that I provided on thisdocument for class business:<
sf@grlucas.net
>.
GRADES
Letter grades are based upon atraditional ten-point scale. If you wouldlike to know your official grade, youshould see me during my office hours ormake an appointment.
MATERIALS
Course readings are an integral partof the class and should be brought daily. When readings are assigned to bediscussed in class, please bring a copy of the reading with your reading notes readyto participate in the discussion. Do notcome to class without your books andsomething to write with and on.Everyday. Seriously. All non-course-related materials — especially electronic communicationdevices, like cell phones, bluetoothearpieces, iPods, etc. — should be left in your car. They are not needed for ourclass and should, therefore, notaccompany you. I understand ourcontemporary need to be in contact witheveryone all the time, but do not let thispersonal need distract the rest of theclass. If you answer a cell phone in myclass, I will expect you to leave. Inaddition, I do not allow class discussionsto be taped, so do not bring any voicerecording devices to class.Let’s try to keep eating and drinking to a minimum. Eat your dinner andsnacks before you come to class.
PLAGIARISM
Any time you use ideas that are not your own — be they paraphrased orcopied verbatim — in anything that youwrite, you must supply a citation in anidentifiable citation method, e.g., ML A,Chicago, etc. Willful plagiarism will resultin automatic failure of this class and willbe submitted to the Dean for furtherpotential consequences. Remember twothings:1.If you use the language of yoursource, you must quote it exactly,enclose it inquotation marks, and citethe source using MLA citation style. A paraphrase employssource material by restating an ideain an entirely new form that isoriginal in both sentence structureand word choice. Quotations andparaphrases must be cited to avoidplagiarism.2.If you use ideas or information thatarenot common knowledge, youmust cite a source.Unsure as to what to cite, when to cite,and how to cite? Check your handbook for the best information.The professor reserves the right touse Turn It In, a plagiarism preventionservice, to evaluate any written work submitted for this course. As directed bythe professor, students are expected tosubmit or have their assignmentssubmitted through the service in order tomeet requirements for this course. Thepapers may be retained by the service forthe sole purpose of checking forplagiarized content in future studentsubmissions.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Any student who has special needsshould contact Ann E. Loyd at theCounseling and Career Center(478-471-2714) and fill out theappropriate paperwork. The studentshould then see me with thedocumentation so that the necessaryaccommodations can be made.
TECHNOLOGY COMPETENCY
Computer competency is an integralskill in any discipline. Students should befamiliar with the general uses of acomputer, particularly using a webbrowser. Students should be willing to putforth the effort to learn what they need toin order to succeed in the course. Pleasesee me for additional assistance.
“Science fiction r e pr esents the moder n her esy and the cutting edg e of s peculativ e imag ination as it g r a p ples w ith M y ster ious T ime— linear or non-linear time.” — F r ank Her ber t
Course Policies
Add a Comment
jesagyleft a comment