CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS COURSE SYLLABUS

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1 CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS COURSE SYLLABUS I. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION Course: ENG 323 Course Title: Fantasy and Science Fiction CRN: Term: Spring 2014 Location: Online Undergraduate Course Dates: 1/27/2013-4/18/2013 Course Days and Time: N/A Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG 101 or ENG 103. Instructor: Nicole Sparling, Ph.D. Phone Numbers: Fax Numbers: Address: sparl1nl@cmich.edu Office Hours: Wednesdays 9-10pm (EST), or by phone appointment Academic Biography: Nicole L. Sparling is currently Assistant Professor of World Literature at Central Michigan University. She earned her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and Women s Studies at the Pennsylvania State University. She specializes in comparative studies of North and South American cultural production and, more specifically, in the literature of the twentieth century written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese from these regions. Much of her research focuses on issues of knowledge production as it relates to disciplinary formation and the construction of identity. Her most recent work places into conversation the various scientific, national, and literary discourses that shape contemporary notions about sexual difference and reproduction. In the last few years, her scholarship and teaching has involved an extensive examination of genre, such as science fiction, fantasy, magical realism, dystopia, and detective fiction.

2 II. TEXTBOOKS AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS Hobbit (or There and Back) Time Machine The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Tolkein Houghton Mifflin Wells Penguin Group Stevenson Penguin Group Dracula Stoker x Penguin Group Fahrenheit Bradbury Random 451 House Do Androids Dick Random Dream of House Electric Sheep (AKA: Blade Runner) 2001 Yes 2005 Yes (REV) 02 (REV) 03 Yes Yes 1991 Yes 1982 Yes Frankenstein Shelley Simon & Schuster 2004 Yes Science Fiction: Stories and Contexts (an anthology) Masri x MPS 2009 Yes Supplemental Materials: Students will be expected to watch several films, to which they will have to obtain access on their own. All films are listed on the course outline/assignments section of the syllabus. I recommend a subscription to Netflix or some other reliable rental service. III. COURSE DESCRIPTION History, meaning, and influence of fantasy and science fiction. Emphasis on 19 th -21 st century literature and film. (Group 1-A) IV. COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Both the general objectives of the course and the specific learning outcomes are discussed below. General Objectives

3 This is an upper-level English course that is designed to explore the literature and film of fantasy and science fiction. The focus is on the history and meaning of fantasy and science fiction, with a strong emphasis on late 19 th through 21 st century materials, especially short stories, novels, and films. The overall objective of the course is to provide students with the tools to understand the plots, settings, characters, writing styles, and themes of fantasy and science fiction, as well as the history of these genres. This course focuses on teaching students how to read analyze, appreciate, and write about fantasy and science fiction. As a University Program course in Subgroup IA, this course focuses on discerning coherence, order, meaning and significance in human events and ideas. The focus is on substantial and significant aspects of human experience and upon the development of ideas and ideals. The subject matter may range from the examination of broadly general or universal propositions to the examination of human thoughts and actions in various contexts over a period of time ( The University Program: A Basic Documents Set, p. 3). This course focuses on writing as a process of thinking as well as a mode of communication and expression. Writing will be presented as an integral aspect of thinking and learning and will, therefore, be a pervasive activity in this class. Specific Learning Outcomes Students who successfully complete this course will be able to demonstrate through their performance on writing assignments and exams that they: 1. understand how fantasy and science fiction relate to conventional literature. 2. have learned about significant events, authors, and literary works in the history of fantasy and science fiction. 3. can competently read, understand, and analyze three major forms of fantasy and science fiction (i.e, the novel, the short story, and film) in terms of plot, setting, characters, style, and themes/messages. 4. recognize the wide variety of themes present in fantasy and science fiction, as well some critical approaches to analyzing those themes (e.g., extrapolation, metaphor, estrangement/novum, icons and megatexts, feminism, post-colonialism). 5. can recognize and analyze blurred genres in which elements of fantasy, science fiction, and conventional literature are combined in one text or film. 6. can recognize and articulate the characteristics of sub-genres, e.g. dark fantasy, epic/heroic fantasy, sword & sorcery fantasy, military sci-fi, cyberpunk, utopian/dystopian, etc. 7. understand that fantasy and science fiction are not trivial but are important cultural and political phenomena.

4 8. understand that although fantasy and science fiction originated in a male-dominated European tradition, these genres have changed over time and much now reflects gender and cultural diversity. V. METHODOLOGY Students will read the assigned texts and supporting materials, listen to audio lectures, and watch films. In this course they will write one analytical paper and take exams composed of comprehension questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Students will also be expected to post their responses weekly to the discussion board as well as comment on their classmate s postings. Finally, students will also be expected to submit their answers the assigned study questions for each week. Students should expect to spend 8-12 hours per week on this course. VI. Course Outline and Assignments All discussion board and study question assignments are due at the end of the week on which they are posted, before midnight, EST Sundays, so if something is due for week one, it is due at the end of that week, on Sunday at midnight. All four chat sessions will be held Wednesday nights at 8:00 p.m. EST. The first due date for the assignments is Sunday, February 2 nd and our first chat will be on Wednesday, February 5th. Specific directions regarding assignments are available under the Course Materials, Assignments, Discussion Board, and Exams tabs. Week One (1/27-2/02) 1. Read: The Hobbit. 2. Watch: your choice of either Clash of the Titans (1981) or Ulysses (1954) 4. Answer: study questions (submit them via the Blackboard link under the Assignments tab) and discussion board questions (select the appropriate discussion board in accordance with the week in the semester. Note: The discussion board in Blackboard serves as the substitute for classroom discussion each week). 5. Participate: in Wimba chat session this week, Wednesday night, January 29th, at 8:00 pm, EST. Week Two (2/03-2/09) 1. Read: Dracula.

5 2. Watch: your choice of either The Exorcist (1973) or The Amityville Horror (1979). Please note: If you are sensitive to horror films and are anxious about watching the two aforementioned options, you are also welcome to watch a film version of Dracula. 5. Participate in Wimba chat session this week, Wednesday night, February 5th, at 8:00pm, EST. Week Three (2/10-2/16) Exam 1 (covering materials films, novels, and audio lectures from weeks one and two) Week Four (2/17-2/23) 1. Read: from Science Fiction (1-10, 17-18, 18-33, , , , ). 2. Watch: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) and It Came from Outer Space (1951) and Them (1954). Week Five (2/24-3/02) 1. Read: from Science Fiction ( , , , , , and ). 2. Watch: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Aliens II (the second one in this series) and Independence Day. Week Six (3/03-3/09) 1. Read: Frankenstein. 2. Watch: The Fly (either 1958 version with Vincent Price or 1986 version with Jeff Goldblum)

6 5. Participate: in Wimba chat session this week, Wednesday night, March 5th, at 8:00 pm, EST. ***Students should select their final paper topics (see approved topics under the Assignments tab in Blackboard) and begin working on their papers this week.*** Week Seven (3/10-3/16) Exam 2 (covering materials films, novels, and audio lectures from weeks four, five, and six) Week Eight (3/17-3/23) 1. Read: Time Machine 2. Watch: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Week Nine (3/24-3/30) 1. Read: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. 2. Watch: Cat People. Week Ten (3/31-4/06) 1. Read: Fahrenheit 451 and in Science Fiction ( ) 2. Watch: Robocop (1987) 5. Participate: in Wimba chat session this week, Wednesday night, April 2nd, at 8:00 pm, EST. Week Eleven (4/07-4/13) 1. Read: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? 2. Watch: Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) 4. Answer: study questions and discussion board questions 5. Participate: in Wimba chat session this week, Wednesday night, April 9th, at 8:00 pm, EST.

7 Week Twelve (4/14-4/18) Final Exam (covering materials films, novels, and audio lectures from weeks eight, nine, ten, and eleven) Final Paper is due. Make-Up Policy: Assignments, exams, and papers must be completed in a timely manner, according to the schedule provided. Late assignments will not be accepted and there will be no make-up exams. Please contact the instructor right away if you are having problems fulfilling course requirements. VII. Criteria for evaluation Percent Total Points Discussion Board Questions 10% 50 Study Questions 15% 75 Wimba Chat 5% 25 Exam 1 15% 75 Exam 2 15% 75 Final Exam 20% 100 Final Paper 25% 125 Exam and class grades are according to the following scale. A A B B B C C C D D D E 55 or less VIII. University Policies Academic Integrity: Because academic integrity is a cornerstone of Central Michigan University s commitment to the principles of free inquiry, students are responsible for learning and upholding professional standards of research, writing, assessment, and ethics in their areas of study. In the academic community the high value placed on truth implies a corresponding intolerance of scholastic dishonesty. Written or other work which students submit must be the product of their own efforts and must be consistent with appropriate standards of professional

8 ethics. Academic dishonesty, which includes cheating, plagiarism and other forms of dishonest or unethical behavior, is prohibited. For more detailed information, please consult: Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Central Michigan University is committed to providing equal opportunities for success to students with disabilities. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in class activities or meet course requirements are urged to register with the office of Student Disability Services, and then notify the instructor as soon as possible. For more information about facilities and services for students with disabilities, contact Student Disability Services, 120 Park, Recording of classroom discussion/lectures is not permissible: In order to protect the intellectual property interests of the instructor, the privacy interests of student members of the class, and to encourage an open and fair exposition of all student views in the classroom without fear that student views expressed will be recorded and possibly posted in another forum, recording of classroom lectures and conversations is not permissible without the express, prior written consent of the instructor. Unauthorized recording of classroom activity shall be considered a violation of the CMU Student Code of Rights, Responsibilities, and Disciplinary Procedures as disruptive of a student s right to learn under Disruption of Learning