English 1100: Popular American Literature, Science Fiction
Instructor Ron Christiansen: Ron.Christiansen@slcc.edu (email best) 957.4321
Office hrs Redwood Campus: BB 207B—TR 10-11; 2:30-3:30; South City Campus: Learning Center N308—M 2:30-3:30
Writing Center hrs: South City Campus Learning Center—W 10-1 (by appt)
Canvas Login to MyPage then click MyCourses; finally click on the “Canvas” link on the left hand side and login using your MyPage
username and password (find syllabus, schedule, and assignment descriptions)
Announcements: I will use this function in Canvas to communicate with the class. Click on “Profile” to set your Notifications
Preferences so you receive these as soon as possible. You are responsible for information sent out through Canvas as an Announcement or
Email.
Course Description
In English 1100, students will study one of the most popular genres in modern American literary history, science fiction. Students will
examine some of the central conventions of the genre, focusing on how it has developed since the 1960s. We will also examine important
issues in diversity through the prism of science fiction, seeing how science fiction has both reflected and been shaped by broader cultural
struggles over race, class, gender, and ability in the U.S. context.
Texts
Science Fiction: Stories and Contexts Ed. Heather Masri (bookstore)
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
This course fulfills two General Education categories: Diversity and Humanities.
Diversity is the study of certain differences (race, ethnicity, social class, gender, ability, sexual orientation, age, religion, etc.) and how those
differences translate throughout U.S. history into disparities of power, privilege, and access to opportunity. This course will identify and
challenge your assumptions and encourage you to consider multiple perspectives so that you can become a more responsible and effective
citizen in this multicultural society.
This course will invite engaged discussion and authentic personal reflection. Because we will often express contrasting views it will be
essential to be respectful by listening and asking questions of those with whom we disagree.
Course Objectives
By the end of English 1100 students should be able to
• Understand the concept of genre and, specifically, the genre of science fiction.
• Identify and explain some of the main themes of modern science fiction, including artificial intelligence, alien contact, time travel,
and utopia/dystopia.
• Explain how particular science fiction texts reflect broader cultural assumptions about differences in race, class, gender and ability in
the U.S. context.
• Understand and explain how particular science fiction texts question, critique, or re-frame broader cultural assumptions about
differences in race, class, gender, and ability in the U.S. context.
Assignments
Reading Response Drafts for peer review 75pts (25pts each)
Reading Response Final Drafts 150pts (50pts each)
Discussion Posts 150pts (30pts each)
Quizzes 125pts
*Lead discussion in pairs 100pts
*Group Presentation 50pts
*Final presentation 250pts
Participation and Attendance 100pts
*1000 total points
*Must receive a C or higher on these assignments to pass the class
Reading responses
There are three reading response assignments. Reading responses are two-page responses requiring you to apply one or more theoretical
text to one or more fictional text. The response should include a specific and critical analysis of some aspect of both texts. These are NOT
summaries of the story or the theoretical text. Also, students must move beyond previous class discussions in order to receive an “A”
grade. Bring the Drafts to class but submit the Final copies on Canvas.
Discussion Posts: Post a two-paragraph response to the reading materials before class on Canvas. While you need to be specific by using
particular quotes from the readings, it’s not necessary to make a clear claim with support. Instead focus on gut reactions, questions, and
creative responses. Then respond in detail to two peers. All of this work must be completed BEFORE the class when the readings are due.
Reading quizzes: There will be 7 quizzes which are listed below in the schedule. Each quiz will cover ALL readings for that day and
MUST be taken on Canvas BEFORE you come to class—these cannot be made-up. Make sure you carefully read for that day before you
take the quiz as there is a time limit. While quizzes are open book, they are designed to reward those who have already read.
Lead discussion: Once during the semester, students will be required to begin the class discussion. This will be done in small groups of
two or three. Students will need to produce and distribute a handout or other multimedia text that includes a brief account of the story,
preliminary analysis, and specific questions for discussion.
Group Presentation: This presentation will focus on the SF novel you select to read.
Final presentation: Students will be required to do a presentation on some aspect of science fiction and diversity. These must include
references to some of our course readings, both fictional and theoretical.
Course Policies and Procedures
Participation and Attendance: The success of this course depends upon student participation. Participation includes attending class
regularly, being prepared for class discussion, and fully participating in class activities. Your participation and attendance grade will reflect
the quality and quantity of your participation and, of course, your attendance. More than three absences will result in a failing participation grade;
more than six absences will result in a failing overall grade.
Late Work: Work that is submitted late will receive a reduced score dependent on how late it is. Exception: quizzes cannot be made up.
Plagiarism: Students commit plagiarism when they submit another author’s work as their own. Plagiarism also includes the failure to
attribute unique phrases, passages, or ideas to their original source. Students who commit plagiarism will receive an automatic E for that
assignment or an E for the course, depending upon the severity of the infraction.
Incomplete grades: Students must be passing and have completed 80% of the course work in order to be granted an incomplete.
Student Writing Center
SLCC has a Writing Center at each campus (AD 218 at Redwood, N308 at South). Experienced and trained tutors meet with students
about their writing. This can be done at any point in the writing process—brainstorming to final edit. Check at the front desk for the days
and times a writing tutor is available. Also, check SLCC’s online Writing Center at http://www.slcc.edu/wc/.
Accomodation for Disabilities
If you need accommodation, please talk with me and/or someone at the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at the beginning of the
semester or as soon as you are aware that an accommodation is necessary. The DRC is in CC 230 or you can call them at 957-4659 (voice)
or 957-4646.
Weekly Schedule (rest of schedule found on Canvas)
Defining Science Fiction
Jan 9 M
Introduction to the Course—History and readership of sci-fi
Matrix clips: Office escape, Dream and reality, Neo’s Awakening
Handout “What is Science Fiction?”
Jan 11 W—Overview of SF
Alien encounters intro (17) & Mars Is Heaven! by Ray Bradbury (73)
In-class: A brief introduction to Science Fiction and its history p. 1 (divide and read in groups)
In-class: model Lead Discussion Assignment
In-class: Sign up in pairs for Lead Discussion Assignment
Jan 16 M MLK Day—No Class
Jan 18 W Overview of SF
Utopias and Dystopias (702) & Persistence of Vision by John Varley (774)
Discussion Post #1: Persistence of Vision
Alien Encounters
Jan 23 M
Quiz #1: Must be completed before class on Canvas
Vaster than empires and more slow by Ursula K. Le Guin (96)
The Shadow by Carl Jung (186)
Jan 25 W: Response Writing
Quiz #2: Must be completed before class on Canvas
Review and print out requirements for Response Writing (see Canvas)
Introduction & Ch1 from They Say I Say (see Canvas)
Science Fiction Protocols by Jo Walton (see Canvas)
Jan 30 M
Bloodchild by Octavia Butler (119)
The fact of blackness by Frantz Fanon (189)
DUE: Reading response draft #1 for peer review—Bring 3 copies to class (Apply Jung or Fanon to Vaster than empires… and/or
Bloodchild)
Artificial Life
Feb 1 W
Quiz #3: Must be completed before class on Canvas
Artificial Life intro (194) & Liar! by Isaac Asimov (282)
Excerpt from Victor Schlovsky’s “Art as Technique” (see Canvas)
**For further help with Schlovsky’s essay see Wikipedia entry on Defamiliarization
DUE: Reading Response Final #1—submit on Canvas (Apply Jung or Fanon to Vaster than empires… and/or Bloodchild)
Feb 6 M
Quiz #4: Must be completed before class on Canvas
Baby, You were great by Kate Wilhelm (331)
From the Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir (179)
In-class: Pre-reading lecture on Cyborg manifesto
Feb 8 W
The Algorithms for love (415)
A Cyborg Manifesto by Donna Haraway (455)
Discussion post #2: Algorithms of love
Alien Contact and Gender
Feb 13 M
Quiz #5: Must be completed before class on Canvas
The Left Hand of Darkness (LHD) by Ursula K. Leguin (ch 1-5)
Ch 4: “Yes/No/Okay, but: Three ways to respond” from They say I say (see Canvas)
Feb 15 W
LHD (ch 5-10)
Discussion Post #3: LHD
Feb 20 M President’s Day—no class
Feb 22 W
LHD (ch 10-15)
“Is Gender Necessary?” by Ursula K. Leguin (Canvas)
Introduce novel choices—email me top two choices by Feb 26th
Feb 27 M
Finish LHD
DUE: Reading response Draft #2 for peer review—Bring 3 copies to class (Apply one or more theory pieces to LHD)
Announce Novel Groups and meet briefly
In-class: Presentation on the statistical evidence for institutional discrimination of minority groups
Evolutions
Feb 29 W
Quiz #6: Must be completed before class on Canvas
Exploring debates on diversity (all of the rdgs are on Canvas, some are also on the web)
 Diversity why it’s good for us (part I) by Richard J. Crisp
 Diversity: why it’s good for us (part II) by Richard J. Crisp
 How we are white by Gary Howard
 White Privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack by Peggy McIntosh (Canvas)
DUE: Reading Response Final #2—Submit on Canvas (Apply one or more theory pieces to LHD)
March 5 M
Cont Exploring debates on Diversity
 Blacks should feel insulted by John McWhorter
 The Trouble with Diversity (intro) by Walter Benn Michaels (Canvas)
Discussion Post #3: Readings on Diversity
March 7 W
Read 2/3s of Novel (your choice from list)
Meet in Novel Groups
March 12 M
Read first 1/3 of Novel (your choice from list)
Meet in Novel Groups
March 14 W
Finish Novel (your choice from list)
Meet in Novel Groups: Draft of Group Analysis
March 19-23 Spring Break—No Class
March 26 M
Meet Novel Groups
DUE: Reading Response Draft #3—Bring 3 copies to class: explore how the novel interrogates and/or supports your sense of diversity by
applying one or more of the diversity readings we have done to your novel
March 28 W
Novel Group Presentations
April 2 M
Discussion: Final Individual Presentations
DUE: Reading Response Final Draft #3—submit on Canvas (explore how the novel interrogates and/or supports your sense of diversity)
Evolutions
April 4 W
Quiz #7: Must be completed before class on Canvas
Intro to Evolutions (1028)
For a breath I Tarry by Roger Zelazny (1132)
Will robots inherit the earth? by Marvin Minksky? (1211)
April 9 M
Blood Music by Greg Bear (1175)
The myth of the ant queen by Steven Johnson (1222)
Discussion Post #4: Blood Music
Final Presentations
April 11 W
Watch SF Movie--TBD
Instructor Consultations on Final Presentations
April 16 M
Finish SF Movie--TBD
Instructor Consultations on Final Presentations
April 18 W
Final Presentations
April 23 M
Final Presentations
April 25 W
Final Presentations