English 22
Professor N. Stork 
Spring 2011
Office: FO 218 
Office Hours: T 1230-1330, T 1500-1600, F 800-900 and by appointment
924-4477 


nancypstork@gmail.com 


 
This course is an introduction to fantasy and science fiction literature of the late19th and 20th centuries. It fulfills the GE Requirement for Arts and Letters (C3). 
Because of smaller than usual enrollment the class will be run mostly as aseminar. Expect to write a reaction or brief research paper once every second or thirdweek and to read this paper aloud when called upon. There will be a total of 8 such 
papers, each 200 words in length. They will be collected and graded. 
The final exam will consist of passages to identify and comment on, so there is 
no real way to study. The best way to do well is to read the texts carefully and ask 
questions in class. 
The Comics project involves reading Scott McCloud's book Understanding 
Comics, then applying his system of analysis to a comic or graphic novel of your choice.
You must choose something other than the comics he discusses in his book. Theproject should be 1,000 words. If you would like to pursue a more graphic approach tothis project, let me know and we can talk about reducing the word count and replacing itwith something graphic. 
Reaction and research papers will be assigned in class, unannounced, on aregular basis. Assignments are NOT available on-line and I will only email them to youin the case of genuine and compelling emergencies beyond your control. Please contactme as soon as possible if you have such an emergency. All work must be your own. If 
in doubt, please consult me or the SJSU Academic Honesty Policy. If you need 
Disability Accommodations, please see me early in the semester. 

Required Texts: 
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring 
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers 
Jorge Luis Borges, Ficciones 

H. G. Wells, The Time Machine 
K. Capek, R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) 
Selected Science Fiction short stories (reader to come) 
Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics 
Grading:


 
Research/Reaction Papers:! 
50%! 
Comics Project:! 
20% 
Oral presentation of comics project: 
10% 
Final Exam:! 
20% 



Schedule of Classes: 

Jan 27 
Introduction 


Feb 1! 
Fellowship of the Ring, Book One, I-IV! 
Feb 3! 
Fellowship of the Ring, Book One, V-VIII 
Feb 8! 
Fellowship of the Ring, Book One, XI-XII 
Feb 10 
Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two, I-III 
Feb 15 
Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two, IV-VII 
Feb 17 
Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two, VIII-X 
Feb 22 
The Two Towers, Book Three, I-V 
Feb 24 
The Two Towers, Book Three, VI-XI 
Mar 1! 
The Two Towers, Book Four, I-V 
Mar 3! 
The Two Towers, Book Four VI-X 
Mar 8! 
Borges, Tl�n, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius 
Mar 10 
Babylon Lottery 
Mar 15 
Library of Babel! 
Mar 17 
Garden of Forking Paths 
Mar 22 
Funes the Memorious! 
Mar 24 
Death and the Compass 


Mar 29 - Apr 4 
Spring Break 


Apr 5! 
The Time Machine 
Apr 7! 
The Time Machine 
Apr 12! 
R.U.R. 
Apr 14! 
R.U.R. 
Apr 19! 
Science Fiction short stories 
Apr 21! 
Science Fiction short stories 
Apr 26! 
Science Fiction short stories 
Apr 28! 
Understanding Comics 


May 3! 
Understanding Comics 
May 5! 
Understanding Comics (student presentations begin) 
May 10 
Understanding Comics (student presentations) 
May 12 
Understanding Comics (student presentations) 
May 17 
Understanding Comics (student presentations) 


Final Exam: Friday, May 20, 1215 -1430