Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division name: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
COURSE PREFIX & NUMBER: LITR 121
COURSE TITLE: Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature
DATE PREPARED: September 26, 2007
DATE REVIEWED:
DATE REVISED: April 2015
PCS/CIP/ID NO: 11-160104
IAI NO. (if available): H3 901
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: January 2016
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS: 3
LECTURE HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS: 0
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisite:
- Placement at college level English OR
- Concurrent enrollment in ENGL 99/101
AND
- Placement at college level reading
This course is a review of major works in the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres, including
short stories, novels, and film. Students will examine characteristics of specific time periods;
themes common to these genres, including alien encounters, time travel, magic, technology;
and literary elements such as character, theme, plot, and symbol, ultimately working toward a
deeper understanding and appreciation of Science Fiction/Fantasy’s role in both society and
literature.
TEXTBOOKS:
Instructor will select texts for each semester.*
Suggested anthologies include:
Brown, Charles N., and Jonathan Strahan, eds. The Locus Awards: Thirty Years of the
Best in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Eos, 2004.
Card, Orson Scott, ed. Masterpieces: The Best Science Fiction of the Century. New
York: Ace, 2001.
Dozois, Gardner R., ed. Modern Classics of Fantasy. St. Martin’s, 1997.
Hartwell, David G. Masterpieces of Fantasy and Enchantment. New York: St.
Martin’s, 1988.
Suggested novels include:
Asimov, Isaac. Foundation.
Beagle, Peter S. The Last Unicorn.
Card, Orson Scott. Ender’s Game.
Clarke, Arthur C. Childhood’s End.
Crowley, John. Little, Big.
Gaiman, Neil. American Gods.
Gibson, William. Neuromancer.
Herbert. Frank. Dune.
Le Guin, Ursula K. The Left Hand of Darkness.
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings.
Wells, H.G. The Time Machine.
White, T.H. The Once and Future King.
Suggested literary criticism includes:
Aldiss, Brian W. Trillion Year Spree: The History of Science Fiction. 1986.
Le Guin, Ursula K. The Language of the Night: Essays on Fantasy and Science
Fiction. 1993.
MacDonald, George. "The Fantastic Imagination.”
Tolkien, J.R.R. "On Fairy Stories."
*Or a comparable text that addresses at a minimum the topics listed in the Course Outline and that provides
students with the opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes for this course.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
LITR 121 fulfills 3 of the semester hours of credit in Humanities/Fine Arts required for the
A.A. or A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core
Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and
universities participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor
for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to www.iTransfer.org for
information.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Course Outcomes
1. Identify the major
characteristics of the
Science Fiction and
Fantasy genres.
2. Identify the major time
periods of the history of
Essential
Competencies
Program
Range of Assessment
Outcomes (POS)
Methods
PO1
Class discussion,
Quizzes, Reading logs
Research projects,
Student presentations,
Essay exams,
PO1
Essays
3.
4.
5.
6.
the Science Fiction and
Fantasy genres.
Explain the importance
of the social, political,
cultural, and historical
contexts of specific
Science Fiction and
Fantasy texts.
Gain a deeper
DI1
understanding and
awareness of multiple
core values through the
reading of Science
Fiction and Fantasy
texts.
Analyze and Identify
Science Fiction and
Fantasy literature for
cultural critiques present
in the texts.
Apply various theories of
literature to interpret
course readings.
7. Define and apply formal
elements of literature
through both written and
verbal discussions.
8. Dialogue creatively and
critically about Science
Fiction and Fantasy
texts’ role and
importance.
9. Write various types of
coherent, focused, and
well developed literary
discussions after careful
reflection of choices
made.
PO2
PO4
PO1
PO3
PO2
CO3
DI2
PO3
CT4
PO6
CO 3- Students listen in order to comprehend information, critique and evaluate a
message, show empathy for the feelings expressed by others, and/or appreciate a
performance
CT 4- Students actively reflect on their answer, approach, or solution and act upon those
reflections to improve the final result
DI1- Students are receptive to beliefs and values different from their own
DI 2- Students consider the views of others in light of those persons’ experiences and
particular understandings
PO1- Identify and describe course-relevant events in literary history
PO2- Analyze and evaluate course-relevant literary elements
PO3- Demonstrate receptivity to perspectives of others by questioning and responding to
those perspectives respectfully and productively
PO4- Describe and discuss how author and reader identities affect the writing & reading
of texts
PO5- Write about texts for multiple purposes including (but not limited to) interpretation,
synthesis, response, summary, critique, & analysis
PO6- Contribute, through writing, their own ideas & opinions about a topic to an ongoing
conversation in ways that are appropriate to the context
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
The course may be organized based on time periods or themes. Two example course outlines
follow.
Course Outline A: Chronological
Course Outline B: Themes
Typical science fiction and fantasy themes include:
Alternative and future history
Aliens
Cyberpunk
Fairy tales
Feminism in science fiction and fantasy
Magic and the supernatural
Myth-based stories
Science and religion
Soft science fiction
Space opera
Sword and sorcery
Time travel
Utopias/dystopias
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Students can be assessed via reading quizzes, reading logs, in-class discussions, research
projects, essays, student presentations, essay exams, and/or portfolios. A suggested
distribution of grades follows:
30% Exams
30% Research project, including paper and presentation
20% Essays and reading logs
10% Reading quizzes
10% In-class participation, including discussion
Grading Scale:
90 to 100% = A
80 to 89% = B
70 to 89% = C
60 to 79% = D
Below 60% = F
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
This course requires a minimum of 3000 words (10 pages) of writing across all assignments,
some of which will include formal writing with the introduction of secondary research and
literary interpretation techniques.
Required reading includes short stories, novels, literary criticism, instructor handouts, and
supplemental websites of approximately 20 pages per week.*
*All estimates based on a 16 week course schedule. Please note if your class is not a 16 week class
your weekly reading assignment will be increased.