ENGL 22: Fantasy and Science Fiction    Professor: Adrienne L. Eastwood

Course Description:  This course will explore utopian and dystopian worlds as they manifest in Science Fiction from Plato’s Republic to Alan Moore’s V for Vendetta.  Specifically, we will look at the ways in which the creation of fantasy worlds operates as a means for both social critique and as a device to bring about social change.   I have selected readings from a range of historical periods, as well as authors from a variety of cultural backgrounds to give us an opportunity to compare diverse perspectives.   I also include units on video games and graphic novels, both of which make significant contributions to the genre of Science Fiction and Fantasy.  I am looking forward to reading and discussing these novels each week, and I welcome students of all levels and backgrounds!   

Course Readings:   Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave,” from the Republic (Handout)   Novels/Prose Works: Sir Francis Bacon, The New Atlantis http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/texts/bacon/atlantis.html Edwin Abbott, Flatland. Broadview Edition, ISBN 978-1-55111 Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Herland,  Signet Classic, ISBN 0-451524934 George Orwell, 1984, Signet Classic, ISBN 0-451524934 Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Del Rey/Random House, ISBN 0-245-40447-5 Cormack McCarthy, The Road. Vintage, ISBN 978-0-307-27792-3 Ayn Rand, Anthem. Signet, ISBN 0-451-16683-3 Marge Piercy, Woman on the Edge of Time, Fawcett, ISBN 0-449-00094-X Video Game: Bioshock I Graphic Novels: Available at a special discount from Hijinx Comics, 2050 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose 408-266-1103; www.hijinxcomics.com (shipping is always free).   Alan Moore and David Lloyd, V for Vendetta Vaughn, Guerra, Marzan, Jr.  Y the Last Man, Numbers 1 and 2.

Follow this link to buy your books online from Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble:  http://www.sjsu.edu/english/donations/

COMPLETE SYLLABUS BELOW:

English 22: Science Fiction and Fantasy

Web Page: Copies of important course material will be available on my website: www.sjsu.edu/faculty/eastwood.  

Student Learning Objectives:

v Recognize how significant works illuminate enduring human concerns by reading and discussing and comparing several works of science fiction.  (Lectures/Discussions, Essays, Midterm, Final)

v Respond to such works by writing both researched-based critical analyses and personal responses.  (Essays).

v Write clearly and effectively.  All written assignments will be graded and responded to in detail to foster clear and efficient writing. (Essays)

v Examine significant works of the human intellect and imagination (Lectures/Discussions)

v Understand the historical and cultural contexts in specific works of art were created (Lectures/Discussions)

v Recognize the accomplishments of and issues related to women and diverse cultures reflected in such texts. (Lectures/Discussions)

 
Classroom Etiquette: Laptops, cell phones, or other computer devices have no place in this classroom.  You must keep these devices put away while you are here.  Bring the assigned texts to each class meeting and please arrive on time. 

Dropping and Adding:

Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drops, academic renewal, etc. Information on add/drops are available at http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/soc-fall/rec-298.html. Information about late drop is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/sac/advising/latedrops/policy/ . Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for adding and dropping classes.

Assignments and Grading Policy:

Course Requirements: Have the materials read in full by the time we begin to discuss them in class.  Active class participation is required.  Unless otherwise indicated, you should read the whole book.  Bring the book under discussion with you to class.  Read actively, taking notes in the margins, and jotting down things you notice and questions you have. 

Essays: You will be asked to write 3 essays (3-4 pages, 1,000 words each) during the semester responding to specific questions about the texts we are studying   These should be typed, double-spaced, and 1 inch margins.  You will be evaluated on the depth of your engagement with the texts. 

Research Essay: A 3-4 page essay (1,000 words) is required based on library research that you conduct on a real utopian society that you are able to find somewhere in the world in the 19^th or 20^th century.  I will provide a written prompt for this assignment later in the semester.  A proposal for this essay will be required.  See reading schedule for due dates. 

Midterm Exam:  At week 6, you will be given a midterm exam. You will be asked to write an essay (approximately 4-5 pages) responding to a prompt that I will provide on some theme relating to the texts read up to that point.  There may also be a short-answer section.

Final Exam:  The final exam will consist of several short-answer questions and one long (4-5 page) essay.  Bring blue books. 

Late Papers:  Turning in assignments late is unfair to the other students; therefore, I will lower your grade one full letter for each day the paper is late.  In the case of emergencies, please contact me. 

I will not accept emailed assignments.

Participation: A portion (10%) of your grade will be based on your participation in class; therefore, regular attendance is imperative.  In order to receive an A or a B in participation, you must do more than just attend class.  You must also demonstrate to me that you have been keeping up with the readings and thinking about the questions raised by the lectures.  I expect each of you to engage in the class discussions, participate in group activities, and come to class with the relevant materials.

Quizzes: You will be given several quizzes during the semester to encourage you to keep up with the reading.  These will comprise 10% of your overall grade.  They will be given on the days indicated on the schedule.  There will be no opportunity to make up missed quizzes.

Grading Breakdown:

Participation: 10%

Quizzes: 5%

Essay 1: 10%

Essay 2: 10%

Essay 3: 10%

Research Essay: 10 %

Midterm: 20%

Final Exam: 25%

The Writing Center: If you have any questions about writing or about your papers, make an appointment with one of the skilled tutors at the new Writing Center located in Clark Hall, Suite 126. 

Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Call for appointments: 924-2308

Or go online: www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter

University Policies:

Academic integrity

Students should know that the University’s Academic Integrity Policy is availabe at http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/download/judicial_affairs/Academic_Integrity_Policy_S07-2.pdf. Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University and the University’s integrity policy, require you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The website for Student Conduct and Ethical Development is available at http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/judicial_affairs/index.html.

Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism (presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without giving proper credit) will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. For this class, all assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise specified. If you would like to include in your assignment any material you have submitted, or plan to submit for another class, please note that SJSU’s Academic Policy F06-1 requires approval of instructors.

Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the DRC (Disability Resource Center) to establish a record of their disability.

Department Grading Policy:

In English Department courses, instructors will comment on and grade the quality of student writing as well as the quality of ideas being conveyed.  All student writing should be distinguished by correct grammar and punctuation, appropriate diction and syntax, and well-organized paragraphs.  Grades issued will represent a full range of student performance and will adhere to the following SJSU academic standards of assessment:

The “A” essay will be well organized and well developed, demonstrating a clear understanding and fulfillment of the assignment.  It will show the student’s ability to use language effectively and construct sentences distinguished by syntactic complexity and variety.  Such essays will be essentially free of grammatical, mechanical, and usage errors.

The “B” essay will demonstrate competence in the same categories as the “A” essay.  The chief difference is that the “B” essay will show some describably slight weaknesses in one of those categories.  It may slight one of the assigned tasks, show less facility of expression, or contain some minor grammatical, mechanical, or usage flaws.

The “C” essay will complete all tasks set by the assignment, but show weakness in fundamentals (usually development), with barely enough specific information to illustrate the experience or support generalizations.  The sentence construction may be less mature, and the use of language less effective and correct than the “B” essay.

The “D” essay will neglect one of the assigned tasks and be noticeably superficial in its treatment of the assignment—that is, too simplistic or short.  The essay may reveal some problems in development, with insufficient specific information to illustrate the experience or support generalizations.  It will contain grammatical, mechanical, and usage errors that render some sentences incomprehensible.

The “F” essay will demonstrate a striking underdevelopment of ideas and insufficient or unfocused organization.  It will contain serious grammatical, mechanical, and usage errors that render some sentences incomprehensible.

“The Department of English reaffirms its commitment to the differential grading scale as defined in the SJSU Catalog (“The Grading System”). Grades issued must represent a full range of student performance: A= excellent; B= above average; C= average; D= below average; F= failure. Courses graded according to the A, B, C, No Credit system shall follow the same pattern, except that NC shall replace D or F. In such cases, NC shall also substitute for W (or Withdrawal) because neither grade (NC or W) affects students’ GPA.”

Reading Schedule (Subject to Change):