Syllabus – Travels in Time
Online Course Description
In addition to exploring the scientific possibilities of time travel, students will consider the effects
of time travel on the past, present, and future. Assignments will include extensive reading, online
discussion, writing, and a final project. Short stories, non-fiction, and fiction will be read.
Historical research and a study of causality will be incorporated into the final project.
If even an iota were changed in the past, would the present be the same? Would changing the
past create alternative futures or a completely different future? Or would time correct itself
always coming back to a pre-determined line? Could time travelers eliminate themselves from
their own future by changing the past? Would traveling to the future affect the present?
Required Readings: The Best Time Travel Stories of the 20th
Century – Turtledove and Greenberg
To Say Nothing of the Dog – Connie Willis
Time: A Traveler’s Guide – Clifford Pickover
Related Books: Einstein Dreams by Alan Lightman
The Time Machine – H.G. Wells (Download Free on WOWIO)
Timescape by Gregory Benford
Time Travel in Einstein’s Universe – Gott
Time and Again – Jack Finney
Castle Roogna – Piers Anthony
Lest Darkness Fall – L. Sprague de Camp
Timeline – Michael Crichton
Time Traders – Andre Norton
The Timeships – Stephen Baxter
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court- Mark Twain
H. Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban - Rowling
The Door into Summer – Robert Heinlein
The Story of the Amulet – Edith Nesbit
Curriculum Standards:
A.8.1 Use effective reading strategies to achieve their purposes in reading.
A.8.2 Read, interpret, and critically analyze literature.
A.8.3 Read and discuss literary and nonliterary texts in order to understand human experience.
A.8.4 Read to acquire information.
B.8.1 Create or produce writing to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
B.8.2 Plan, revise, edit, and publish clear and effective writing.
B.8.3 Understand the function of various forms, structures, and punctuation marks of standard American
English and use them appropriately in communications.
C.8.1 Orally communicate information, opinions, and ideas effectively to different audiences / purposes
C.8.2 Listen to and comprehend oral communications.
C.8.3 Participate effectively in discussion.
D.8.1 Develop their vocabulary and ability to use words, phrases, idioms, and various grammatical
structures as a means of improving communication.
E.8.1 Use computers to acquire, organize, analyze, and communicate information.
F.8.1 Conduct research and inquiry on self-selected or assigned topics, issues, or problems and use an
appropriate form to communicate their findings.
Weekly Assignments
Reading Assignments – A portion of the three required books will be assigned each week.
Online reading will be assigned most weeks. NOTE: much of the math in Time: A Traveler’s
Guide by Clifford Pickover is beyond Algebra. Students interested in math and physics can dive
in and enjoy the formulas presented in the book. Otherwise, students may skim the sections that
are steeped in math or physics to glean a brief overview of the current scientific thinking on the
nature of time and the possibilities of time travel.
Thought Provoking Questions – Most reading assignments will have thought provoking
questions for students to answer after they have completed the reading. Some questions will
relate directly to the reading, others will come from the general topic of time travel. Student
responses should answer the question posed and then support the answer with evidence,
examples, explanations, or illustrations. When responding to questions, students should answer
the question then expand the answer in response to the ever-present question WHY? Or HOW?
Some reading assignments will include a writing assignment beyond a simple response to a
question. Students should use a word processing program for their writing. Responses
should then be cut and pasted online. All work should be in full sentence and paragraph form.
Responses to Students –Students are required **on each assignment** to respond to at least
one other student’s posting (ideally students respond and re-respond to several students creating
online discussions for each assignment). Responses may involve asking a student clarifying
questions, offering further supportive evidence or examples, or challenging a student’s answer. If
the response is to challenge a student’s ideas, the challenger needs to provide sufficient evidence
or examples to support the challenge!!! All responses must be courteous and respectful.
(Students must also respond to all questions and editing comments by the teacher.)
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Students should post their own assignments first before responding to others!
A high level of thinking and writing is expected in ALL coursework!
Quotes from the readings should be used to support responses to questions!
Students should complete at least three weekly assignments by Wednesday night at 10 pm. All
assignments should be completed by Friday night at 10 pm. Responses to other students may be
done over the weekend. Reading ahead is encouraged as weekend homework! Posting early
provides time for students to respond to one another and enjoy the online discussion.
Course Projects
Major Essay – Students will defend one of the two views of history put forth by the professors in
the book To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis. The essay will include an introduction
paragraph with a description of the two views of history and the choice of one to defend, two to
four body paragraphs with supporting examples from history and commentary on chosen view,
and a concluding paragraph. Essays will require peer editing (online) and final drafts.
Time Projects – Students will research an event in history. They will document 20 smaller
events, actions, or ideas that lead up to that event. Students will display these events on a
timeline. Using the timelines as a springboard for the final project, students will choose between
two options. In both options one of the early events, actions or ideas will have been altered due
to a disruption of the timeline by a time traveler. The subsequent events will reflect the
consequences of that alteration. For the final project, to be presented at the last F2F, students
may create a second timeline OR students may create a ‘choose your own adventure’ type story.
The illustrated timeline or branching story will demonstrate a theory about the nature of time.
Weekly Outline
Book Code:
SNOD = To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
TATG = Time: A Traveler’s Guide by Clifford Pickover
BTTS = The Best Time Travel Stories of the 20th Century – Turtledove
Week #1 (Nov. 5th-9th)
Introductions
SNOD - Chapters 1-4
TATG - Preface, Prelude, Chapters 1 & 2
BTTS – “Time Locker” by Henry Kuttner
Online Reading - http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/specrel/lc.html
Online Reading - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/time/think.html (Do parts 1-5)
Week #2 (Nov. 12th-16th) First F2F – Nov. 13th
SNOD – Chapters 5-7
TATG - Chapters 3 & 5
BTTS – “I’m Scared” by Jack Finney
Online Reading - http://homepage.mac.com/billtomlinson/newtt.html
Writing: Create a classification system for all the paradoxes you have encountered (or can
imagine) so far when dealing with time travel. Which paradox is most easily resolved? Why?
Week # 3 (Nov. 19th-21st) Thanksgiving Week
SNOD – Chapters 8-11
TATG - Chapters 6 & 7
BTTS – “Time’s Arrow” by Arthur C. Clarke, “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury, and “A
Gun for Dinosaur” by L. Sprague de Camp
Online Reading - http://www.clydesight.com/times.html
Writing: Compare/contrast three items in the three short stories (one paragraph per idea). These
items may be story elements, writing techniques, or time travel ideas (i.e. – method of time travel,
consequence of disturbing the past, reason for time travel, ethical or moral considerations, etc.)
Week #4 (Nov. 26th-30th)
SNOD – Chapters 12-14
TATG - Chapters 8, 9, & 10
BTTS – “Yesterday was Monday” by Theodore Sturgeon
Online Reading- http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/amana/utopia.htm
Writing: Major Essay – Views on History - Chose one of the two views of history put forth by the
professors in the book To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis. The essay will include an
introduction paragraph with a description of the two views of history and the choice of one to
defend, two to four body paragraphs with supporting examples from history and commentary on
chosen view, and a concluding paragraph. Bring typed draft of paper to F2F for peer editing.
Week #5 (Dec. 3rd-7th) Second F2F – Dec. 4th
SNOD – Chapters 15-17
TATG - Chapter 11
BTTS – “Rainbird” – R.A. Lafferty
Online Reading - http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/causeeff.php
Online Reading - http://www.muskingum.edu/~cal/database/content/history_hennings3.html
Writing: Peer Edit & Revise Essay.
Week #6 (Dec. 10th-14th)
SNOD – Chapters 18 - 22
TATG - Chapter 12
BTTS – “Anniversary Project” – Joe Haldeman
Online sites - http://www.historymole.com/
http://www.historyexplorer.net/
http://www3.canisius.edu/~emeryg/time.html
http://www.sbrowning.com/whowhatwhen/
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001196.html
http://www.bbc.net.uk/history/interactive/timelines/
http://www.historicaltimeline.com/ht_world.htm
Writing (Private Post to Teacher) – Begin Timeline and Final Projects (Due at the Final F2F).
Choose two events in history as possible ideas for the project. Use the online sites listed (and
others if needed) to research both events. Choose the event with the most information on causes
leading up to the event for your project. If both events have adequate information, chose either
for your project. Begin listing all the events, actions or ideas that have led up to your event.
Week #7 (Dec. 17th-21st)
SNOD – Chapters 23-25
TATG - Chapters 13 & 14
BTTS – “The Man Who Came Early” by Poul Anderson
Online Reading - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/time/through.html
Online Reading - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/time/through2.html
Online Reading - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/time/sagan.html
Writing (Private Post to Teacher) – Write a list in linear order of at least 20 causes leading up to
the historical event you have chosen for your big project. Then write a list, either in linear order
or in branches of alternative futures of events, actions or ideas that have changed due to the
disruption of the timeline by a time traveler. Describe how you will use these items for your
second timeline or in your ‘choose your own adventure story’. Work on your illustrated timeline
or story. Begin working on your visual and oral presentation of your projects for the final F2F.
Week #8 (Jan. 2nd-4th) New Year’s Week
SNOD – Chapters 26-27
TATG - Chapter 15 & 16
BTTS – “Leviathan!” by Larry Niven
Online Reading - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2822095.stm
Online Reading - http://www-cgi.cnn.com/WORLD/9510/mali_relics/index.html
Online Reading - http://www.greekandromancoins.com/pompeii-a-27.html
Writing: Write an editorial for a newspaper concerning the ethics and morality of bringing
artifacts back from the past. Express your opinion and provide supportive examples.
Finish second timeline or ‘choose your own adventure’ story. Work on F2F presentation.
Week #9 (Jan. 7th-11th) Final F2F – Jan. 11th
SNOD – Chapter 28
TATG - Chapters 17 & 18
BTTS – “Sailing to Byzantium” by Robert Silverberg
Online Reading - http://www.artcomic.com/timetravel/intro.html
Writing – Exit Survey
Face to Face Meetings
#1 – Overview, writing essays, group work – periods of history.
#2 – Researching history – cause and effect relationships. Peer edit essays.
#3 – Student Presentations – Illustrated Timelines or Story Maps of Stories
Assignment Checklist
Week #1 (Nov. 5th-9th)
o Introductions
o SNOD & Questions
o TATG & Questions
o BTTS & Questions
o Online Reading & Questions
Week #2 (Nov. 12th-16th) First F2F - 13th
o SNOD & Questions
o TATG & Questions
o BTTS & Questions
o Online Reading & Questions
o Writing: Paradox Classification
System
Week # 3 (Nov. 19th-21st) Thanksgiving
o SNOD & Questions
o TATG & Questions
o BTTS & Questions
o Online Reading & Questions
o Writing: Compare/Contrast
Week #6 (Dec. 10th-14th)
o SNOD & Questions
o TATG & Questions
o BTTS & Questions
o Online Reading & Questions
o Writing: Ideas and Choice for
Timeline / Story Project
Week #7 (Dec. 17th-21st)
o SNOD & Questions
o TATG & Questions
o BTTS & Questions
o Online Reading & Questions
o Writing: List of Events for
Timeline / Story Project
Week #8 (Jan. 2nd-4th) New Year’s
o SNOD & Questions
o TATG & Questions
o BTTS & Questions
o Online Reading & Questions
o Writing: Newspaper Editorial,
Timeline / Story, & Presentation
Week #4 (Nov. 26th-30th)
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o
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o
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SNOD & Questions
TATG & Questions
BTTS & Questions
Online Activity
Writing: First Draft of Major
Historical View Essay
Week #5 (Dec. 3rd-7th) Second F2F - 4th
o SNOD & Questions
o TATG & Questions
o BTTS & Questions
o Online Reading & Questions
o Writing: Essay - Peer Edits &
Final Draft of Major Essay
Week #9 (Jan. 7th-11th) Final F2F - 11th
o SNOD & Questions
o TATG & Questions
o BTTS & Questions
o Online Reading & Questions
o Writing: Exit Survey
SNOD = To Say Nothing of the Dog
by Connie Willis
TATG = Time: A Traveler’s Guide
by Clifford Pickover
BTTS = The Best Time Travel Stories of
the 20th Century – Turtledove