Science Fiction & Fantasy Literature ENG 223
Spring ‘09
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Devin Wood
151 Maine Hall
Email dwood@emcc.edu
Cell 951-5168
Work 974-4636
Office hours: Any time by appointment
Text
2001: A Space Odyssey. Clarke, Arthur C. ROC: Penguin Books, 2000. (Required)
His Dark Materials Trilogy. Pullman, Phillip. Laurel Leaf, 2003. (Required)
The Handmaid’s Tale. Atwood, Margaret. Anchor Books: Random House, 1986. (Required)
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever: Lord Foul’s Bane. Donaldson,
Stephen R. Ballantine Books, 1977. (Required)
Neuromancer. Gibson, William. Ace Books: Berkley Publishing Group, 1984. (Required)
Course description
Students will explore issues as diverse as psychology, sociology, morality, and politics,
within the context of science and technology, magic and imaginary worlds. Emphasizes
techniques for close reading and writing about elements of literature, including plot,
setting, character, point of view, theme, and symbolism.
Course goals
To develop an understanding of science fiction and fantasy as literature
To explore science fiction and fantasy literature as a means of gaining greater insights into
human motivations and values
To develop skills in the analysis and written criticism of science fiction and fantasy literature
Performance objectives
Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
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Identify and evaluate basic elements of literature in works of science fiction and fantasy
Distinguish between interpretive and escape science fiction and fantasy literature
Evaluate S-F & F literature through comparing and contrasting works with similar themes
Define sub-genres of S-F & F by plots, topics and themes
Identify works of certain S-F & F authors by recognizing their styles and themes
Write well-organized critical papers on assigned works of science fiction and fantasy.
Grading
Your grade will be based on:
reader response essays (5 @ 300 words)
analytical essay (1 @ 1000 words)
pop quizzes (10 best)
participation *
50%
20%
20%
10%
Reader response essays will consist of short personal analyses of some notable aspect of
each assigned work. Here you may discuss your perceptions of characters, relationships,
situations, themes, or the authors’ use of the elements of fiction. Your response must be
submitted before the assigned reading to which it applies is discussed in class.
The analytical essay should be a thorough discussion of one of the assigned works, analyzing
relevant issues contextually and elements of fiction covered in the course.
Pop quizzes will be given at the beginning of class and will consist of two simple content
questions intended to help me determine whether you’re doing the assigned readings. NOTE:
If you miss a quiz you may not make it up.
Your participation in this discussion-based course will help ensure its vitality. Please come
to class prepared to share your observations and questions about the assigned readings.
(*You may replace your participation grade with a second longer analytical essay, due at
midterm. You must declare this option by the end of the third week of class, and you may
not opt back out.)
Policies & guidelines
 All essays must be word processed.
 Please be sure to (legibly) sign the attendance roster for each and every class; failure to
sign will be counted as an absence.
 Each absence will result in a one-point reduction of your participation grade.
This course complies with Affirmative Action, Americans with Disabilities,
and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, as detailed in the course
catalog and student handbook.
Course schedule
Week
1/13-1/15
Readings
Deadlines
2001: A Space Odyssey v-37
1/20-1/22
2001: A Space Odyssey 40-104
2001: A Space Odyssey 107-146
1/27-1/29
2001: A Space Odyssey 149-211
2001: A Space Odyssey 215-255
2/3-2/5
2001: A Space Odyssey 259-297
The Golden Compass Part 1
2/10-2/12
The Golden Compass Part 1
The Golden Compass Part 2
2/24-2/26
The Golden Compass Part 2
The Golden Compass Part 3
3/3-3/5
The Golden Compass Part 3
The Handmaid’s Tale 3-33
3/10-3/12
The Handmaid’s Tale 37-99
The Handmaid’s Tale 103-147
3/17-3/19
The Handmaid’s Tale 151-195
The Handmaid’s Tale 199-263
3/24-3/26
The Handmaid’s Tale 267-311
Lord Foul’s Bane 1-50
4/7-4/9
Lord Foul’s Bane 51-167
Lord Foul’s Bane 167-214
4/14-4/16
Lord Foul’s Bane 214-301
Lord Foul’s Bane 301-360
4/21-4/23
Lord Foul’s Bane 361-474
Neuromancer 3-39
4/28-4/30
Neuromancer 43-98
Neuromancer 101-156
5/5-5/7
Neuromancer 159-199
Neuromancer 201-230
5/12-5/14
Neuromancer 231-271
Reader response #1
{Participation/essay option}
Reader response #2
Reader response #3
{Optional analytical essay}
Reader response #4
Reader response #5
Analytical essay
Note: Deadlines are the last day an assignment will be accepted for grading.