Metropolis (1927)

Course Description

In this seminar we will examine how changing understandings of the relationship between Theoretical and Applied Science and theories of the Development of Human Societies are explored in speculative fiction. Science fiction as a genre provides a window to the way we understand our social history and its relationship to available technology by imagining the implications of specific changes in some detail of human circumstance. Science fiction poses the question “what would the world be like if our science and technology were different from what we have today”? Related genres of speculative fiction pose similar questions that explore the implications of social scientific knowledge in narratives based on counter-factual imaginings of a world with slightly different resources or biological requirements or histories. From this vantage, speculative fiction explores the assumptions of our understanding of contemporary reality as well as suggesting how the future may well differ from the present as we learn more about the ourselves and the universe we inhabit. We will employ a variety of sources including print, audio, video, and electronic. The seminar emphasis will be on student participation.

Required Text

The following book is available at the bookstore:

The Oxford Book of Science Fiction, edited by Tom Shippey. Oxford: 2003.

Supplementary materials will be available by September 27^th (see Course Schedule).

Course Requirements

Participation (30%): Participation means actively speaking up in class discussions. Your comments should be thoughtful considerations of the material and the comments of your classmates (especially in response to their presentations). Participation also means coming to class prepared to raise questions and offer insights.

Group Presentation (40%): Each group is responsible for leading a discussion on a specific author.. Each group must choose supplementary readings and/or other relevant material which will be distributed to the rest of the class at least one week before the presentation. Both Dr. Rulison and Dr. Maher will be happy to meet with the group to discuss possible supplementary material.

The group will be graded collectively. This means that you have a responsibility to one another. You may divide up the work any way you see fit. A good presentation will depend on a careful and thoughtful reading of the material, well-chosen supplementary sources, and thought-provoking discussion questions.

Paper: (30%): This is an independent project. Each student will choose a topic related to the themes of the course. You must meet with either Dr. Rulison or Dr. Maher to discuss you topic before November 4th. Papers must 7-10 pages (typed, double-spaced, with page numbers and a bibliography). Internet sources are acceptable if they have been specifically approved by either Dr. Rulison or Dr. Maher in advance.

Attendance: You must attend all class meetings. The first absence will result in a half grade reduction of your final grade. Two absences will result in a failing grade.

Course Schedule

1^st Meeting Wednesday (9/13)

Introduction

Group Presentations: group members and topics

Each student will be in two different groups.

2^nd Meeting Wednesday (9/20)

Watch: ¸ Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Read: The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin (first published in the August 1954 issue of Astounding Science Fiction, pp 62-84, illustrated by Kelly Freas).

Read through Richard Harter’s web site devoted to a critique of the story, a copy of which is here: Cold Equations.

Presentation Materials Due (No Meeting) Wednesday (9/27)

Deliver all materials to either Dr. Rulison or Dr. Maher.

3^rd Meeting / Wednesday (10/11) “The Metal Man” by Jack Williamson (1928)

Group 1

Becky Le Compte

Rosemary Toulas

Nathaniel Goldman

Cassie Wells

4^th Meeting / Wednesday (10/18) “Finis” by Frank L. Pollack (1906)

Group 2

Kendall Gault

Nathaniel Goldman

Erin Gibson

Lashay Paschal

5^th Meeting / Wednesday (10/25) “Night” by John W. Campbell (1935)

Group 3

Domonique Bligen

Kendall Gault

Lashay Paschal

Kathryn Schambach

6^th Meeting / Wednesday (11/8) “Who Can Replace a Man?” by Brian Aldiss (1958)

Group 4

Rosemary Toulas

Caitlin Mazzarino

Cassie Wells

Kathryn Schambach

7^th Meeting / Wednesday (11/15) “A Criminal Act” by Harry Harrison (1967)

Group 5

Becky Le Compte

Chelsey Kendig

Maddison Zulak

Erin Gibson

8^th Meeting / Wednesday (11/29) “Piecework” by David Brin (1990)

Group 6

Maddison Zulak

Domonique Bligen

Caitlin Mazzarino

Chelsey Kendig

Communicating with the Class

Please check the Course Web Page regularly for information about reading assignments.

As each group determines what the class will read (or watch), we will post assignments on the Web Page with instructions on where to pick them up.

This course will not work if you do not take responsibility for making sure that you have all the necessary material.

Name	Group	Group	Email	Phone
Dr. Mike Rulison			mrulison@oglethorpe.edu	4/364-8409
Dr. Nick Maher			nmaher@oglethorpe.edu	4/504-3473
Domonique Bligen	3	6	Chantil_2005@yahoo.com
Kendall Gault	2	3	Bella72470@aol.com
Erin Gibson	2	5	vgibson@comcast.net
Nathaniel Goldman	1	2	NathanielGoldman@gmail.com
Chelsey Kendig	5	6	ckendig@oglethorpe.edu
Becky Le Compte	1	5	rlecompte@oglethorpe.edu
Caitlin Mazzarino	4	6	cmazzarino@oglethorpe.edu
Lashay Paschal	2	3	lpaschal@oglethorpe.edu
Kathryn Schambach	3	4	KiffyKat@hotmail.com
Rosemary Toulas	1	4	RToulas@aol.com
Cassie Wells	1	4	cwells@oglethorpe.edu
Maddison Zulak	5	6	mzulak@oglethorpe.edu