HON 110 First Year Seminar
The Spice of Dune: Opiate of the Masses
Fall 2012
“He Who Controls the Spice, Controls the Universe”
Instructor: Dr. Ivory L. Lyons
Meeting Times: M, W, F 12:30 – 1:35 Office: Keener House 1
Meeting Place: Bracy 20 Office Phone: (330) 823-2469
Home: 2333 S. Arch Ave., Alliance Home Phone: (330) 823-6773
Email: lyonsil@mountunion.edu
, ivory_lyons@yahoo.com
Course Description
The Spice: Opiate of the Masses
Frank Herbert, in his critically acclaimed science fiction masterpiece Dune, offers a portrait of religion and the role that it plays in societies and in humanity that is intriguing and not totally fictional. This course in science fiction will examine the way in which the author integrates aspects of world religions into his book. The various ways that Frank
Herbert weaves religious themes and ideas and responses to religion in his treatment of characters and societies have wonderful parallels to our own world. Through the use of prophecy, the development of the sacred text and certain apocalyptic notions Herbert shows how society can be controlled by religious authorities and how the human imagination can create great changes through religion. Through the Spice, certain factions in the Dune universe are able to exert control over everyone.
Through written reflections on the texts the student will demonstrate critical reading skills. By examining how the author uses themes from various religions the student will be exposed world religions and will start to develop a global perspective. The course will examine various theories of religion and will place the study of a religion in a broader academic context. This will enable the student to discern how a particular religion contributes to the knowledge of religion in a larger context.

Course Learning Objectives:
- To develop critical reading and thinking skills
- To examine some of the basic tenets of major world religions
- To study the various theories of religion
- To develop writing skills at the collegiate level
- To engage the student in understanding how science fiction is used to explain concepts.
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 – 10:00 in my office and on
Fridays in Campus Grounds and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 – 2:00 pm in my office. You can also make an appointment to meet with me or you can drop by my office anytime.
Texts
Dune (40 th Anniversary edition) by Frank Herbert
World Religions: A Guide to the Essentials ed. by T.A. Robinson & H Rodriques
Sacred Texts: The student will need portions of various sacred texts. If the student does not own copies, the student can obtain them from the library, an online source or purchase them from a bookstore.
Assignments:
Site Visit
– The student will be required to visit a non-Christian or culturally diverse worship service. The student will be required to write a 4 page paper on the experience. More information will be provided as the course develops. This assignment is worth 100 points.
Sacred Text Reflections – The student will be required to write a 250 word reflection on a sacred text. Each reflection is worth 20 points.
Student presentation – For the final project students will have to create their own religion. Each religion should have a main story or myth, a priesthood, a hierarchy, rules of conduct, a sacred text, and rituals. The religion must use aspects of one of the religions that we have covered and Dune. Students can work in groups of 3 or fewer. This assignment is worth 100 points and will culminate what they have learned in class.
Exams – The student will be required to take 3 exams. Each exam is worth 100 points.
Submission – All of the assignments, unless otherwise stated, will be put in a drop box in ANGEL in Microsoft Word, RTF, ODT or Text format on or before the due date.
Papers put in the drop box after the date may or may not be accepted. If they are graded they will be reduced by one full letter grade.

Academic Honesty
– On plagiarism: "Unless clearly documented with citations indicating otherwise, all academic work is expected to be the student’s own.
Plagiarism and/or any other form of cheating or dishonesty will subject the student involved to sanctions ranging from failure of an assignment to possible suspension or dismissal from the University." From the University of Mount Union Catalogue under the section entitled Academic Honesty
Note: If you are a student with a documented disability who will require accommodations in this course, please register with the Karen Saracusa, Director of
Student Accessibility Services, in Room 88 Hoover-Price Campus Center, ext. 7372, for assistance in developing a plan to address your academic needs.
August 27
–
Introduction
Religious Stories
Tanakh: Jonah and the Whale
Jataka Tales: The Black Hound
Religion in Science Fiction
Science fiction connections from Star Trek: TNG, The Devil’s Due (Ep. 87)
Examination of the religion of Dune
Reading: Dune, pp. 484 - 491
September 3 – Theories of Religion
Animism and Magic
– Tyler and Frazer
Video - Star Trek: Voyager, Blink of an Eye (Season 6, #12; Ep. 233)
Reading: Dune, pp. 3 - 46
World Religions, pp. 1 - 19
Trip to Hindu Temple in Penn Hills, PA (9/8)
September 10
–
Religion and Personality
– Freud
Video – Star Trek: Voyager, Sacred Ground (Season 3, #7; Ep. 143)
Dune Universe
Missionaria Protectiva
Reading: Dune, pp. 47 - 101
World Religions, pp. 1 – 19
Reflection 1 due 9/14
September 17 – Society as Sacred – Durkheim
Video – Star Trek: DS9, The Storyteller (Season 1, #14; Ep. 114)
Judaism
Plans within Plans
Reading: Dune, pp. 102 - 154
World Religions, pp. 43 – 78

September 24
–
Religion as Alienation
– Marx
Video – Star Trek: TNG, Who Watches the Watchers (Ep. 52)
Judaism
Muad’Dib
Reading: Dune, pp. 155 – 195
October 1, 6
–
A Source of Social Action
– Weber
Exam 1 (10/1)
Christianity
Video –
Star Trek: DS9, Treachery, Faith and the Great River (Season 7, #4; Ep. 706)
The Spice
Reading: Dune, pp. 199 – 248
World Religions, pp. 79
– 114
October 8 – Christianity
Fremen
Reading: Dune, pp. 249
– 300.
Reflection 2 due 10/12 .
October 15
–
Islam
Video - Star Trek: DS9, Destiny (Season 3, #15; Ep. 315)
Mahdi
Reading: Dune, pp. 301
– 352
World Religions, pp. 115
– 150
October 19 – 22
Fall Break
– No Classes
October 24 – Islam
Holy War/Jihad
Kwisatz Haderach
Reading: Dune, pp. 355 – 396
Reflection 3 due 10/27
October 29 – Buddhism
Exam 2 10/29
Dune resolution
Reading: Dune, pp. 397 – 474
Trip to Olivet Institutional Baptist Church (11/4)
November 5 - Buddhism
Reading: World Religions, 185 – 216
Reflection 4 due 11/9
Trip to Masjid (11/9)

November 12 - Hinduism
World Religions, pp. 151 - 184
November 19
–
Working Class
AAR Conference
Work on Presentations
Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 26 - Hinduism
Exam 3 11/28
Reflection 5 due 11/30
December 6, 8 –
Work on Student Presentations
Site Visit paper due 12/7
Final Exam
December 12 6pm
– 9pm