EAC 234: Science Fiction Week 2 Discussion Topics, Prof. L.

Boily
This document is the copyright of Prof. Lisette Boily and as such, you are NOT permitted to
share it with anyone or anything (i.e. third party websites) outside of this course.

PURPOSE OF THIS DISCUSSION BOARD

This is our active learning ‘class’ for the week (imagine you are spending 3 hours of ‘class time’
on this Discussion in order to learn, think about, discuss, and then improve your learning.
• Cheating of any kind in the Discussion Board ensures you do NOT learn, and ensures you won’t

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be able to successfully do the future tests and assignment; all academic Integrity violations in
this course will be reported, even in discussion boards.

• Disrespectful, abrasive behaviour towards classmates is not permitted – see item #3.

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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS & REQUIREMENTS – carefully read, understand and
follow ALL instructions below:
1. Make sure you have read and hopefully understood the assigned story and studied (and

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understood) the related online lesson material, SF. Lit Glossary and extra learning links
in the and any applicable additional posted learning materials & links posted in the
Weekly Lessons menu area on our course site, before you answer the required topics.
2. You must answer TWO questions from those on the next pages:
a. one must be the MANDATORY question; second is any other question of your choice
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS & REQUIREMENTS
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1. CREATE ONE DISCUSSION THREAD ONLY, which will include both required answers
– each question will be answered in one logical, organized, clearly written paragraph of at
least 8 sentences, for a total of TWO paragraphs (one paragraph per answer).
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2. Remember to use specific supporting examples from the story to help explain your
points, and to include both in-text citation and References list. (See the ‘APA
Citation Guide’ menu area, and the last post in this week’s Lesson on our course
site for tips).
3. Remember to reply to at least two (2) different classmates, ideally for two different
topics, with brief but specific and respectful comments (at least 6 sentences per reply).
a. IMPORTANT: If you do not agree points or any aspect of the posts made by a
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student, DO NOT EVER ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THEM (you might be wrong,

and it is not your job) – instead, either respectfully present your different point of
view, or move on to another student response.
b. This discussion board is a practice area, where we want to expand discussion and
learning, NOT shut it down. If you disagree with another student’s post, ask
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them why they think xxx is true and ask for examples, then present your
alternate point of view.
c. Being respectful does not mean the same thing as automatically – and
simplistically - agreeing with or complimenting all students; in fact, this is not
beneficial to expanded discussion and learning, either. DEEP thinking, learning and
analysis based on course concepts.

~ SEE THE DISCUSSION TOPICS ON THE NEXT PAGE ~

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DISCUSSION TOPIC QUESTIONS: You must complete TWO
a. one must be the MANDATORY topic question
b. the second topic is to be any other topic question of your choice
c. you must also cite the story and any learning materials you use from
the course site (in-text and full Reference) and reply in detail to two
different students
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MANDATORY Question Topic for all students - ALL students answer this:
QUESTION: Specifically discuss how the main speculative 'what if' scenario in

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“Slow Life” results in the different epiphanies experienced by both the human
main character and the alien consciousness.
• Remember to follow all Instructions & Requirements from page 1

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• Remember to also complete another topic of your choice, for a total of two topics
(see topics below)

The Questions below are the ones you choose from, to answer your
second required topic question (choose one to answer).
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QUESTION: What are the Core Science Fiction (SF) concepts (hint: there are four
of them), as taught in our course (see Weekly Lesson and Glossary), AND which
do you think is the most important core SF concept in this story – specifically
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how and why?

• Remember to follow all Instructions & Requirements from page 1
• Remember to also complete the MANDATORY topic #1, for a total of two topics

QUESTION: Regarding the story "Slow Life" and its title significance – why is the title
ironic, and how does the story's ironic title help you understand the story’s
speculative scenario better (remember to also state what the speculative scenario is)?
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• Remember to follow all Instructions & Requirements from page 1

• Remember to also complete the MANDATORY topic #1, for a total of two topics
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QUESTION: Specifically discuss how real or known facts about Titan (at the time of
story publication, to the present day, etc.) are combined with imagined science fiction
in the story (see the additional learning link about TITAN, posted n the Weekly
Lesson).
• Remember to follow all Instructions & Requirements from page 1
• Remember to also complete the MANDATORY topic #1, for a total of two topics

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QUESTION: Open or Closed Ending (see Weekly Lesson and Glossary)? What do you
think happens to Lizzie at the end of the story (carefully read the last few lines of the
story)--can we know, for sure – specifically how and why based on the facts of the
story?
• Remember to follow all Instructions & Requirements from page 1
• Remember to also complete the MANDATORY topic #1, for a total of two topics

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QUESTION: what else would you like to specifically discuss about the story "Slow
Life," which was not covered in the other topic questions? (make sure you don’t
significantly overlap the other topic questions).

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IMPORTANT: to answer this question, make sure you are on-topic (assigned
reading, related online lesson material, etc.), and specific.
• Remember to follow all Instructions & Requirements from page 1

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• Remember to also complete the MANDATORY topic #1, for a total of two topics
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