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Humanities 3557: Literature and Science
Walker 145
TTh 12:35-1:50pm, Fall 2015
Dr. Andy Fiss
Walker 341
M 1:00pm – 2:30pm, Th 2:00pm – 3:30pm, or by appointment
afiss@mtu.edu
Course Description/Overview
This class locates popular representations of science and scientists within nineteenth-century
literature: Dr. Frankenstein (and his monster), Dr. Jekyll (and his alter ego, Mr. Hyde), Alice
(and Lewis Carroll, aka C.L. Dodgson), and A. Square (resident of Flatland). We investigate
these figures through potential modern analogues in the work of twentieth-century writers
(Rachel Carson, Kurt Vonnegut), as well as twenty-first-century television (Bones, Eureka). We
also study our central texts historically through the literary contributions of Erasmus Darwin,
Charles Darwin, and modern mathematicians. Finally, we turn to recent methodological work
about the boundaries between literary and scientific study. We end with new questions about the
usefulness of storytelling for science and the usefulness of scientific methods for the study of
literature.
University Student Learning Goal
The university has chosen this class to fulfill the student learning goal Critical and Creative
Thinking: “Students will be able to think critically and creatively, as demonstrated by their
broad, adaptable and versatile use of reasoning, logic, and evidence, to access and evaluate
information and solve complex problems both independently and in groups.” The university’s
rubric contains more information about the specific skills that fall under this category:
http://www.mtu.edu/assessment/program/university-learninggoals/Goal%204_Critical_CreativeThinking.pdf
Also, the university senate asks me to make you aware that “student work products (exams,
essays, projects, etc.) may be used for purposes of university, program, or course
assessment. All work used for assessment purposes will not include any individual student
identification.” (http://www.mtu.edu/ctl/instructional-resources/syllabus/syllabus_policies.html)
In other words, after this class is over, external readers may assess your essays or projects
according to the goal above or other criteria. However, this process will occur after the semester
has ended and will have no bearing on your course grade.
Course-Specific Learning Goals
Along with the goal above, our four main goals this semester will be:
1.
2.
3.
4.
To begin to consider the critical interactions between literature and science.
To locate literary and scientific trends historically and in relation to each other.
To build skills to write literary analysis.
To develop abilities to read for our own claims and the claims of others and to
evaluate the use of evidence in our and others’ work.
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Course Resources
Required Course Texts
 Edwin A. Abbott, Flatland (Cambridge University Press, 2010).
 Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland (W.W. Norton & Co., 2013).
 Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (Penguin Classics, 2003).
 Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Norton, 2003).
 Other short texts will be made available on our Canvas website.
Grading Scheme
Grading System
Letter Grade
A
AB
B
BC
C
CD
D
F
I
X
Percentage
Grade points/credit
Rating
92.5% & above 4.00
Excellent
87.5% – 92.4% 3.50
Very good
80% – 87.4%
3.00
Good
77.5% – 79.9% 2.50
Above average
70% – 77.4%
2.00
Average
67.5% – 69.9% 1.50
Below average
60% - 67.4%
1.00
Inferior
59.9% & below 0.00
Failure
Incomplete; given only when a student is unable to complete a
segment of the course because of circumstances beyond the student’s
control.
Conditional, with no grade points per credit; given only when the
student is at fault in failing to complete a minor segment of a course,
but in the judgment of the instructor does not need to repeat the
course. It must be made up by the close of the next semester or the
grade becomes a failure (F).
Grading Policy
Paper 1: Analyzing an individual source (4 pages)
Rough draft of Paper 2 (4 pages)
Paper 2: Using a source to respond (4 pages)
Short Proposal for Paper 3
Paper 3: Pursuing independent research (6 pages) (HASS Assignment)
Paper 4: Building on a claim from Paper 3 (6 pages)
Attendance and Participation
Total
15%
5%
15%
5%
15%
20%
25%
100%
Late Assignments
All papers and projects are due at the beginning of class. A late paper will incur a penalty of 5%
for each calendar day it is late.
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Course Policies
Attendance, Participation, and Class Expectations: Humanities classes rely on the sharing of
diverse ideas and perspectives. So, please be prepared to speak in class, and also make sure to
listen attentively and generously. In building this community, your presence and active
participation are essential. Please let me know if you have to miss for religious observances or
family/medical emergencies.
Papers 1 and 2: For each essay, you will be asked to respond to a prompt, directly related to our
readings from that class unit. Paper 1 will be about Frankenstein, while Paper 2 will ask that you
respond to Gillian Beer’s arguments through bringing in features of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Paper 3 (HASS Assignment): The research paper is an opportunity for you to pursue an
independent project that clearly builds on our readings from class. You will likely have questions
that cannot be answered in the assigned articles and books alone, and this is your opportunity to
pursue them. I suggest that you meet with me early to begin discussing potential interests.
Proposal: The proposal will form the basis for our individual consultations. It should include a
short description of your topic, an explanation of how it builds on our class materials, and a short
list of three to six sources you might use for Paper 3.
Paper 4: The final paper is designed to build on a claim or sub-claim from your research paper.
You will give short, informal presentations about your topics late in the semester, and your peers
and I will help you to see what we find most interesting and insightful in your work.
Collaboration v. Plagiarism
As this class becomes a learning community, I encourage you to discuss readings and
assignments with each other. However, any paper or project must be original to you. It is not
acceptable to copy the ideas, words, or designs of another person and try to pass them off as your
own. These elements “stolen” from online or other sources may result in a failing grade for the
assignment or for the class. The university and I consider plagiarism a serious offense.
University Policies
Quoted from: http://www.mtu.edu/ctl/instructional-resources/syllabus/syllabus_policies.html
Academic Integrity: “Academic regulations and procedures are governed by University policy.
Academic misconduct cases will be handled in accordance the University's policies.”
Disability Services: “If you have a disability that could affect your performance in any class or
that requires an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact your
instructor [me!] or Disability Services at 487-1494 as soon as possible so that appropriate
arrangements can be made.”
Institutional Equity: “The Office of Institutional Equity has asked that you be made aware of
the following: Michigan Technological University complies with all federal and state laws and
regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990. Michigan Tech has a policy of affording equal opportunity to all of its employees,
students, applicants for employment, and applicants for admission without regard to race,
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religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight,
genetic information, or marital status, disabled veteran status, veteran status, or disability.”
Course Schedule
Note: Because of the small size of this class, the readings may change based on your interests.
We will discuss updates in person, and changes will appear in Canvas.
Week 1
T 9/1
Course Introduction: Why Study Literature and Science?
UNIT 1: DR. FRANKENSTEIN AND HIS MONSTER
Th 9/3
Becoming a Scientist in the Romantic Era
Read before class: Shelley, Frankenstein (1818), Letter 1 to Chapter 4 (pp.15-57)
Week 2
T 9/8
Creating a “Monster”
Read: Shelley, Frankenstein, chapter 5 through the end of Volume 1 (pp.58-90)
Th 9/10
From the Monster’s POV
Read: Shelley, Frankenstein, Volume 2 (pp.93-151)
Week 3
T 9/15
Travel and Mental Breaks
Read: Shelley, Frankenstein, Volume 3, Chapter 1 through Chapter 4 (pp.155-188)
Th 9/17
The End?
Read: Shelley, Frankenstein, Volume 3, Chapter 5 through end (pp.189-225)
Week 4
T 9/22
Writing about a Single Source
Readings TBA
Th 9/24
A New Version of Frankenstein?
View: Episode 1 of Bones (2005)
Paper 1 due
UNIT 2: DR. JEKYLL AND HIS ALTER EGO
Week 5
T 9/29
NO CLASS: Career Fair
Screening of Bones (Week 4) in lieu of class
Th 10/1
The Mystery of Mr. Hyde
Read for class: Stevenson, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886), “Story of the Door” through
“Incident at the Window” (pp. 7-32)
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Week 6
T 10/6
Dr. Jekyll Explains
Read: Stevenson, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, “The Last Night” to End (pp.33-62)
Th 10/8
Growth between Victorian Science and Victorian Literature
Read: Selection from Gillian Beer, Darwin’s Plots: Evolutionary Narrative in Darwin, George
Eliot and Nineteenth-Century Fiction (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000 [1983]),
pp.97-114. (Canvas)
Week 7
T 10/13
Using a Source to Respond
Readings TBA
Th 10/15
Reading Darwinian Myths from Charles Darwin and his Grandfather
Read: Charles Darwin, Selection from “General Summary and Conclusion,” from Descent of
Man; and Selection in Relation to Sex (1871); Erasmus Darwin, Selection from “The Temple of
Nature” (1802). (Canvas)
Week 8
T 10/20
Writing Workshop
Bring In: Draft of Paper 2
Th 10/22
Darwinian Myths and Environmentalism
Read: Rachel Carson, “Elixirs of Death,” from Silent Spring (New York: Houghton Mifflin,
1994 [1962]), pp.15-38; Kurt Vonnegut, “Ice-Nine,” from Cat’s Cradle (New York: Delta
Books, 1998 [1963]), pp.44-47.
UNIT 3: A. SQUARE
Week 9
T 10/27
Pursuing independent research
Readings TBA
Paper 2 due
Th 10/29
The Victorian World of A. Square
Read: Abbott, Flatland (1884), Sections 1-6 (pp.16-65)
Week 10
T 11/3
Rebellions
Read: Abbott, Flatland, Sections 7-12 (pp.66-113)
Short Proposals for Paper 3 due
Th 11/5
Communicating Mathematics
Abbott, Flatland, Sections 13-16 (pp.116-163)
Week 11
T 11/10
Other Worlds
Read for class: Flatland, Sections 17-20 (pp.164-219)
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Th 11/12
Creating a New World
View: Episode 1 of Eureka (2006)
UNIT 4: ALICE, LEWIS CARROLL, AND C. DODGSON
Week 12
T 11/17
The Victorian World of C. Dodgson
Read: Charles Dodgson, Selection from Euclid and his Modern Rivals (1879); J.J. Sylvester,
Selection from Laws of Verse (1870). (Canvas)
Th 11/19
NO CLASS: INSTRUCTOR AT CONFERENCE
Screening of Eureka (Week 11) in lieu of class
THANKSGIVING
Week 13
T 12/1
Alice’s World
Read: Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, entirety (pp.1-97)
Th 12/3
Talking about Research
Paper 3 (HASS Assignment)
Week 14
T 12/8
Science Responding to Literature
Readings TBA
Th 12/10
Literature Responding to Science
Readings TBA
Finals Week
Th 12/17
Paper 4 due