Science Fiction Syllabus: Spring 2012
UNIT ONE: VISIONS OF THE FUTURE
UNIT GOALS:
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Become familiar with the characteristics/definition of science-fiction.
Examine stories that use satire, irony, or dystopian visions to “warn” us about the consequences of our
choices and actions.
Discuss philosophy and scientific theory when appropriate (determined by the stories).
Understand and discuss major themes and ideas in science fiction and their impact on the world.
Explore the relevance of literary works to students’ own lives and our society.
Discuss each story’s “meaning” and the author’s intent.
Study literary terms and apply these to the stories we read.
Introduce some classic sci-fi themes/subjects and read some awesome stories!
Monday, Jan. 16
Tues, Jan. 17
Wed, Jan. 18
Thurs, Jan. 19
Friday, Jan. 20
NO SCHOOL
Hello! Introduction to Science Fiction. Prepare to be blown away.
IC = “Witch War” + Book Club explanation. Pick a book + make your choice! Form groups!
IC = “Muse” + Sudden Sci-Fi + Book Sale! Buy The Illustrated Man + Book Club book!
Q = “The Sliced-Crosswise Only-on-Tuesday World”
Monday, Jan. 23
Tues, Jan. 24
Wed, Jan. 25
Thurs, Jan. 26
Friday, Jan. 27
IC = “Valhalla”
Q = “Soldier”
*Bring The Illustrated Man to class! “The Last Night of the World” + GOALS (Plan your future)
Q = “The Fox and the Forrest”
Q = “The Hammer of God”
Monday, Jan. 30
Tues, Jan. 31
Wed, Feb. 1
Thurs, Feb. 2
Friday, Feb. 3
IC = “The Cold Equations” + Intro to “Survivor”
Q = “Survivor”
IC = “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” + begin “Harrison Bergeron”
Q = “Harrison Bergeron”
+ IC: “Civilization”
Q = Chapter one of George Orwell’s novel: 1984
Monday, Feb. 6
Tues, Feb. 7
Wed, Feb. 8
Thurs, Feb. 9
Friday, Feb. 10
Q = “The Cloak of Anarchy”
Movie = V for Vendetta
Movie = V for Vendetta
Movie = V for Vendetta
PAPER / ESSAY DUE! Movie = V for Vendetta
UNIT TWO: Book Club, Research, and Presentations.
UNIT GOALS:
 Work together to read and analyze a selected and approved novel.
 Work together to create an amazing presentation about the novel and the science it explores.
 Do research to better understand the “real science” related to your novel.
 Work on presentation/public speaking skills.
 Understand and discuss major themes and ideas in science fiction and their impact on the world.
 Explore the relevance of literary works to their own lives and society.
 Discuss each story’s “meaning” and the author’s intent.
 Study literary terms and apply these to the stories we read.
 Discuss philosophy and scientific theory when appropriate (determined by the stories).
Monday, Feb. 13
Tues, Feb. 14
Wed, Feb. 15
Thurs, Feb. 16
Friday, Feb. 17
TV Episode: Dr. Who, Eureka, 4400, Fringe, Babylon 5, Alphas?
BOOK QUIZ # 1
LIBRARY/LAB:
TV Episode: Dr. Who, Eureka, 4400, Fringe, Babylon 5, Alphas?
BOOK QUIZ # 2
Monday, Feb. 20
Tues, Feb. 21
Wed, Feb. 22
Thurs, Feb. 23
Friday, Feb. 24
NO SCHOOL
QUIZ # 3
LIBRARY/LAB:
TV Episode: Dr. Who, Eureka, 4400, Fringe, Babylon 5, Alphas?
QUIZ # 4
Monday, Feb. 27
Tues, Feb. 28
Wed, Feb. 9
Thurs, Mar. 1
Friday, Mar. 2
TV Episode: Dr. Who, Eureka, 4400, Fringe, Babylon 5, Alphas?
QUIZ # 5
LIBRARY/LAB:
TV Episode: Dr. Who, Eureka, 4400, Fringe, Babylon 5, Alphas?
QUIZ # 6
Monday, Mar. 5
Tues, Mar. 6
Wed, Mar. 7
Thurs, Mar. 8
Friday, Mar. 9
NO SCHOOL
QUIZ # 7
LIBRARY/LAB:
LIBRARY/LAB:
LIBRARY/LAB:
Mar. 12 – 16
PRESENTATIONS ALL THIS WEEK!
UNIT THREE: CREATIVE SCIENCE FICTION
UNIT GOALS:
 Work on writing skills and understanding/application of literary devices by writing a story.
 Demonstrate understanding of the genre.
 Express the story’s theme or plot creatively through a visual representation.
Mar. 19 – 23
Start Creative Writing Unit. Creative Writing exercises this week! + Work on story!
Mar. 26 - 30
*SPRING BREAK WEEK
Friday, Ap. 6
WRITERS WEEK – class meets in the auditorium all week! HW: Work on your story!
--NO SCHOOL
Monday, Ap. 9
Tues, Ap.10
Wed, Ap. 11
Thurs, Ap. 12
Friday, Ap. 13
Discuss Writers Week + your creative writing. HW: Story + Visual are due tomorrow!
Creative writing is due!
Creative writing is due!
Intro to The Illustrated Man = Prologue, Epilogue, and “Zero Hour”
Q = “Rocket Man”
Monday, Ap. 16
Tues, Ap. 17
Wed, Ap. 18
Thurs, Ap. 19
Friday, Ap. 20
Q = “The Fire Balloons”
IC = “The Man”
Q = “The Visitor”
IC = “No Particular Night or Morning”
Q = “Kaleidoscope” + “The Other Foot”
Monday, Ap. 23
Tues, Ap. 24
Wed, Ap. 25
Review Bradbury Stories.
PSAE – NO SCHOOL?
TEST on Bradbury stories (with essay)
Monday, Ap. 2-5
Thurs, Ap. 26
Friday, Ap. 27
Movie: Star Trek
Movie: Star Trek
Monday, Ap. 30
Tues, May 1
Movie: Star Trek
Movie: Star Trek
UNIT THREE: Playing God – Genetics and Robotics.
UNIT GOALS:
 Debate: Should we “play God”? Where should the line be drawn and why?
 Discuss both genetic engineering and robotics/A.I. in terms of real life, what is coming, etc.
 Understand and discuss major themes and ideas in science fiction and their impact on the world.
 Explore the relevance of literary works to their own lives and society.
 Discuss each story’s “meaning” and the author’s intent.
 Study literary terms and apply these to the stories we read.
 Discuss philosophy and scientific theory when appropriate (determined by the stories).
 Introduce some classic sci-fi themes/subjects and read some awesome stories!
Wed, May 2
Thurs, May 3
Friday, May 4
Begin New Unit = Playing God: Robotics and Genetic Engineering
Frankenstein - Summary
Chapters 4 - 5
Frankenstein - Summary
Pages 84 – 89 and Homework = 124- 137
Monday, May 7
Tues, May 8
Wed, May 9
Thurs, May 10
Friday, May 11
Q = Frankenstein – Summary, End
Q = “We Ate the Children Last”
Intro to Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) = PPT: Asimov and nice A.I
Monday, May 14
Tues, May 15
Wed, May 16
Thurs, May 17
Friday, May 18
Q = Article + IC: Screenplay version of “Robbie” + discussion: should robots have rights?
Monday, May 21
Tues, May 22
Wed, May 23
Thurs, May 24
Friday, May 25
Movie: Gattaca
Movie: Gattaca
Movie: Gattaca
Review
EXAMS
Monday, May 28
Tues, May 29
Wed, May 30
Thurs, June 1
NO SCHOOL
EXAMS
EXAMS
PPT: cont. = Asimov + robotics. Screenplay version of “Runaround”
HW: “Liar!”
Q = “Liar!” + Read “Robot Dreams” +
HW: article “And it will serve us right”
Quiz + Annotations = “Bicentennial Man”
Evil A.I. + watch Animatrix
Q = Bradbury’s “The Veldt” + “Marionettes, Inc.”
Personal Reflection Essay is Due + Movie: Gattaca