SF 175A
War
& Apocalypse in Science Fiction
Fall 2018
MWF 10-10:50 a.m.
73 Tremont, Room 5040
Instructor
Dr. Deb Geisler
SMT 414B
Phone: 617/573-8504
978/777-3204 (home, before 10 p.m.)
Fax: 617/742-6982
Email: dgeisler@suffolk.edu
Office Hours: MW 1:15-3 p.m., F 1:15-2:30 p.m., Thursday 10-12 (Other hours by appt. or walk in.)
Course Description
From some of the earliest examples of what we call science fiction (Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, etc.) to today’s cutting edge writers, artists, and videographers, war and its aftermath have loomed large in how the future (and alternative versions of the present) plays out. This course will look at some of the more important issues of war and post-apocalyptic literature, with a dash of television and film and a soupçon of art. [No prerequisites.]
This seminar will examine science fiction literature, film, and television from 1940 through today: a time when science fiction moved from the era of pulp magazine to dominating, as it does now, the large and small screens. Included in this seminar will be:
- How do SF authors, artists, and directors depict scientific advances used for warfare?
- To what extent do SF authors and media creators deal with “first contact” and the possible issues of it?
- What happens when we meet the aliens? How do we treat the “other”?
- What are the social and psychological impacts of future war?
- How do science fiction authors, artists, and directors deal with issues of gender, race, and age in the military of tomorrow?
- What kind of dystopian future do we face after World War III? Is winter (nuclear or other) coming?
Course Objectives
· Understand the creative process in speculative fiction: how can the impossible or improbable be made believable? How do writers, producers, directors, and artists craft an alien world from the imagination?
· Understand the concept of xenophobia, both as it relates to imaginary aliens from outer space and the “other” in human societies. (The film “District 9” is particularly useful here, as is the new film “Arrival” and its related short story by Ted Chiang, “Story of Your Life.”)
· Look at why wars happen, and how understanding of the “other” may change conflict (or not, of course).
· Discuss how science fiction creators have envisioned apocalyptic destruction of the human race: natural, unnatural, warfare, pestilence, etc. Worse, what happens beyond the Apocalypse? How would we pick up the pieces, if at all?
Web Site
The web site for this class is EatFlamingLaserDeath.com (and anyone who would like an email alias at that address should just drop me a note!). Please check the web site at least once a week. Readings, copies of assignments, links to videos, and other stuff will be available there. (Some materials will also be on the course’s BlackBoard page, but the web site will be a bit easier to navigate.)
Books
Okay, this is a class that looks at books and media. Lots of reading (including some short stories not listed here). Mostly, however, the readings are fiction, and they’re probably things you’ll enjoy reading. They have plots and characters and action. I don’t care which editions of these books you get, so if you don’t like the bookstore’s prices, feel free to wander through used bookstores.
Frank, P. 1959. Alas,
Card,
O. 1985.
Ender’s Game. [Any
version is acceptable.]
Haldeman, J. 1974. The
Forever War. [Any version is
acceptable.]
Heinlein, R. 1959. Starship
Troopers. [Any version is
acceptable.]
Scalzi, J.
2005. Old Man’s War. [Any version is acceptable.]
Videos (possibly all) included in class:
·
Star Trek:OS, Episode “The Devil in the
Dark”
·
Star Trek:NextGen, Episode “Pen Pals”
·
The Twilight Zone, Original, “Enough Time at Last”
·
The Twilight Zone, Original, “The Invaders”
·
(Possible: Wild Cards,
Opening episode)
·
Movie: “28 Days Later”
·
Movie: “Arrival”
Advising/Mentoring
SF faculty members serve as academic mentors to their
seminar students and help them navigate the intellectual, social, and cultural
life of the college as well as the greater Boston area. Inside the classroom,
mentors strive to create a safe and respectful environment for students to
express themselves, develop new skills, and build on their strengths. Outside
of class, the mentors and mentees participate in small group and one-on-one
conversations aimed at identifying students’ short- and long-term goals,
interests, and aspirations. SF faculty continue to mentor students throughout
their second semester and beyond.
Assignments and Exams
Two short papers (one about issues of survival and one of gender roles in science fiction) and two longer ones (one dealing with issues of the “alien” in science fiction and in real life, and one examining issues of apocalyptic events) will analyze issues related to the readings and videos. Two assignments will look at how to do research using online and other sources.
Four to five quizzes will be given, and the highest three grades on the quizzes will be used toward a student’s final grade. A final examination will also be given during the regularly scheduled final period.
A group assignment will analyze a film not seen by the full class about an apocalyptic events (war, zombies, etc.).
Please see the daily schedule for approximate due dates. All papers will be typed and error-free.
Rough drafts always read free of charge. Rough drafts may be emailed, but final versions will not be accepted by email. You must provide hard copy.
Grading
Grading in this course will be based on the following percentage breakdowns of student assignments, exams and attendance:
Brief analysis papers (2 @ 5%) 10%
Research assignments (2 @ 5%) 10%
Longer analysis (2 @ 15%) 30%
Quizzes (top 3 grades @ 5%) 15%
Group assignment (1) 15%
Final examination
(1) 10%
Participation 10%
TOTAL 100%
Grading Scale. The following scale will be used for student grades in this course:
94-100 = A 87-90 = B+ 77-80
= C+ 67-70 = D+
91-93 = A- 84-86 = B 74-76
= C 64-66 = D
81-83
= B- 71-73 = C- 61-63 = D-
Assignment/Activity
Estimated Engagement Hours
Course Readings: 1700 pages x 3 minutes per page 75 hours
Videos, films 10
hours
Analysis papers (short) 20 hours
Analysis papers (long) 30 hours
Content quizzes: .75 hours preparation; .25 hour quiz x 4 4 hours
Group discussions and analysis 12 hours
Examinations: 5 hours preparation + 2 hour exam x 1 7 hours
Research Assignments: 2 x 2 hours 4 hours
Class Attendance: 3 hours x 15 weeks 45 hours
Total: 182
engagement hours
|
Goals |
Objectives |
Assessments |
|
Upon
successful completion of this course, students will: |
Successful
students will be able to: |
|
|
1. understand
the core elements of a sustained intellectual inquiry |
·
practice engaged, critical reading ·
formulate questions to guide inquiry ·
recognize diverse perspectives and
approaches ·
meet course-specific writing-intensive
requirements |
Analysis
papers, which include looking at essential questions of speculative fiction,
discussing intellectual issues, exploring first contact and concepts of
xenophobia, and describing the attempts to understand post-apocalyptic
worlds. |
|
2. understand
how learning and experiences inside and outside the classroom are connected
and interdependent |
·
engage in the intellectual, social, and
cultural life of the college and/or the Greater Boston area |
Several authors
will be joining us via Skype. Artist Dave Seeley will show the students how
he creates the illustrations of the fantastic. |
|
3. understand
the expectations, the time commitment, and the skills required for a
successful college career |
·
establish connections with faculty and
academic support staff as needed ·
develop active learning strategies ·
describe and practice academic
integrity ·
set priorities in order to complete projects
and meet deadlines |
Regular
assignments (weekly) and reading assignments will be provided. Since this is
a once-weekly class, early discussion will focus on how we will arrange
classes, deadlines for materials, what to do in case of absences, etc. |
Course Policies
Cancelled
Classes
In the event of a cancelled class, students will be notified via email
as soon as possible, and assignments will be distributed both in email and
posted to Blackboard. This includes class cancellations because of instructor
illness or because of university emergencies. No expected class cancellations are
scheduled this semester.
Attendance, Missed Speeches, Late Papers
Attendance in this course is mandatory, and markedly affects students’
ability to participate in class. Students are responsible for checking the
syllabus and discussing with the instructor any material they may have missed
when absent. I will not look for
you. If you do not turn it in, you get a
zero.
. Students missing examinations for health reasons or for other very, very good reasons (I get to decide if it’s a good reason) may, upon approval of the instructor, be permitted to take the missed examination. If you do not contact me in a timely manner after missing an exam, you will also get a zero.
· Missed quizzes may not be made up. Points will be re-distributed.
· Late papers will be penalized 10% of the total point value for each day late.
No assignment will be accepted by email without the instructor’s
expressed prior permission. If you ignore this rule, I will delete your email
and files.
Classroom
Courtesy - Electronics
Please turn off all cell phone ringers while in class. Please do not
use phones to text or surf during class. No computer use is permitted unless
specified as part of group or interview work. Your decision to ignore this rule
will be factored into your participation grade.
Academic Dishonesty
Cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are
unacceptable. Students found engaging in
academically dishonest acts will face failure (a grade of zero) for the
assignment and possible failure for the course.
Various
University Policies and Notes
This course abides by university policies that can be found here: www.suffolk.edu/syllabus. In particular, please note the following:
Common
Suffolk University Syllabus Policies
In addition to those described on this
syllabus, this course adheres to policies and procedures that apply to all
Suffolk courses with regard to disability accommodation, academic misconduct,
academic grievance, attendance, and credit hour compliance. A description of
these policies can be found at the link http://www.suffolk.edu/academics/72770.php.
Federal
Definition of Credit Hour (this is a 4-credit course)
This course follows the Federal
Government’s Credit Hour definition. For more information regarding the definition, please
see the Suffolk University Syllabus webpage: http://www.suffolk.edu/syllabus.
University Statement on
Physical/Emotional Health
A range of issues can cause barriers to learning, such as strained
relationships, increased anxiety, health issues, alcohol/drug problems, feeling
down, difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, or feeling ill. These
concerns or other stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance
or may reduce your ability to participate in daily activities. University
resources can help you address these and other concerns you may have. You can
learn more about Suffolk’s broad range of confidential medical and mental
health services at http://www.suffolk.edu/campuslife/2746.php
University Statement on
Disability Accommodation
If you anticipate issues with the format or
requirements of this course, please meet with me to discuss your full
participation in my classroom. If you determine that you need formal,
disability-related accommodations, please register with the Office of
Disability Services. You will find information about this office at: http://www.suffolk.edu/disability
Early Alert System
Please see the university description of the Early
Alert system. You will receive notification via this system if there are issues
you need to address in the first part of the semester. The Early Alert system
is described here: http://www.suffolk.edu/academics/3057.php
Academic Resources and
Support Services
The university really wants you to succeed. The
university provides a range of student services. To learn more, explore this webpage: www.suffolk.edu/syllabus
Daily Schedule
Viewings &
Date Readings Topic Assignments
9/5-7 (Begin Card
book) Progression of
SF/F
ST:OS, “Devil in the Dark” in
literature & media
9/10,12,14 Card book Central
SF/F concepts Analysis
1
Online reading
9/17,19,21 Ender’s Game (film) Changing
media:
Online reading challenges and issues Quiz 1
9/24,26,28 Scalzi book Humans, aliens, the
rhetoric
of “otherness” Analysis
2
10/1/3/5 ST:TNG: “Measure of a First contact
Man.” Quiz 2
10/8,10,12 Close
Encounters of the More First
Contact Research
1
Third Kind (film)
Online reading
10/15,17,19 Haldeman book Laws
of thermodynamics,
Issues
of future warfare Quiz 3
10/22,24,26 Martin story
Issues of militarism Analysis 3
10/29,31,11/2 Heinlein book Art in SF/F
Dave
Seeley lecture Research
2
11/5,7,9 Starship Troopers (film) Duty & democracy Quiz 4
Online reading
11/12,14,16 Frank book Nuclear
age scares
Now comes the apocalypse Winning the nuke war? Select groups
11/26,28,30 On the Beach (film) Teleconference
with book
(Wildcards, first episode) & TV writer/producer
Melinda Snodgrass Quiz 5
12/3/5/7 28 Days Later (film) Medical
and other causes
of the post-Apocalyptic era. Group presentations Group analysis
12/10 Group presentations
The university
is closed on 10/8 for reasons known only to the university, 11/12
for Veterans’ Day, 11/21 and 11/23 for the Thanksgiving recess.
Final
Examination: Tuesday, 18 December, 8-10:30
a.m.