Science nation: WM 124

When II Changed: The flew Wave

Instructor: Stephen Potts
Email:
swpotts@ucsd.edu
Phone:
(858) 822-4674
Website: classconsciousness.wordpress.com

Office: Warren Lit 147

Hours: TTh 12:30 -1:30
*On starred dates also TTh 10:30-11:30

Objectives: To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one has gone
before ... at UCSD, maybe.
Boobs: Available at Price Center and at Mysterious Galaxy, the genre both store at 5943
Balboa Ave.
Requirements: A take-home midterm test and an in-class final (non-cumulative) on the
readings and lectures. Two short critical papers (1500 words each)the first due at midterm,
the second during finals. Under certain specific circumstances, with instructor approval, a single
long project will be permitted, due on the last day of instruction. Assignment details will be
handed out later in class, but will be available sooner on the website. Each test counts for 25%
of your course grade, each paper 25%, although some preference will be given to final papers
that show improvement.
Grading standards: A =100-95%, A- = 94-90%, B+ = 89-85%, B = 84-80%, etc. Given the size
of the class, there will be relatively few final A's, though plenty of A-minuses and B-pluses. You
may also earn a C if you work at it. I will do what I can to increase the number of A's, but I will
need your collaboration. If you consider yourself a weak writer or don't think you can keep up
with the reading, you might consider the P/NP option.
Calendar.
Week Date

Topic/Assignment

9/24

Introduction to Science Fiction and the New Wave

9/29
10/1

Science Fiction Goes Mainstream: Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle

This is the Way the World Ends: Finish Cat's Cradle

10/6

The Weird World of PRD: Dick, Ubik

WhoSDDeath is It, Anyway?: Finish Ubik

10/8
3

10/13
10/15

A Literary Space Opera: Delany, Nova

Meta-Science Fiction: Finish Nova
PAPER ASSIGNMENTS HANDED OUT

10/20
10/22*

Researching and Writing About Science Fiction

Social Science Fiction: LeGuin, The Left Hand of Darkness

10/27*

Bending Gender: Finish The Left Hand of Darkness

TAKE-HOME TEST HANDED OUT

10/29*

Science Fiction Onscreen: The 60s. A Video Lecture

TEST DUE

11/3
11/5

Science Fiction Onscreen: The 70s. MIDTERM PAPER DUE.

Science Fiction Gets Real: Silverberg, Dying Inside

11/10
11/12

A Case of Character: Finish Dying Inside

The End of Innocence: Wolfe, Fifth Head of Cerberus (title story)

11/17
11/19

Labyrinth: Finish Fifth Head of Cerberus ("A Story," "V.R.T")

The New Wave of Hard SF: Haldeman, The Forever War

11/24
11/26

In Time of War: Haldeman.

THANKSGIVING

10

12/1*
12/3*

Feminist Science Fiction: Tiptree, Stories in Reader

By Any Other Name: Finish Tiptree stories
Conclusions

FINAL PAPER DUE: Monday, December 7

FINAL TEST:

Thursday, December 10, 3:00

Avno-Aiiis
cgcr

AT ,NJ