Aims and Objectives
The purpose of the course is to
explore
the influence of classical literature upon science fiction, and also to
study the beginnings of science fiction in Greek and Roman literature
and
mythology. We will concentrate on certain aspects of science fiction
which
are particularly relevant in the context of modern political and social
issues, and intend for this course to be an opportunity for
constructive
learning and an enjoyable experience.
Students will be expected to
participate in
this
collaboration, by taking an active interest in the course materials,
and
through regular attendance, preparation which involves readings ahead
of
the class, and attendance of the viewings of audiovisual materials. We
will read some exciting books, watch some interesting films and videos,
and discuss these materials in class.
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Schedule
Unit One: Paradigms of the Western Tradition
Week #1 (August 29): Introduction
and Theoretical Background
Lecture: What is
Science?
What is Fiction? (J. Rea)
Readings:
Click here for the Reading Guide
and here for the
powerpoint for your assignment for this week, A
Canticle for Leibowitz
Viewings: Star Trek "Bread and Circuses"
Week#2 (September 5th): Science
Fiction and the Classics
Lecture: A
Canticle
for Leibowitz (J. Rea) Click here for the
powerpoint guide to the
lecture
<>Readings: Selections
from Hesiod
(WD 109- 200) and Vergil
(Eclogue 4) Click here for the reading guide
for Hesiod and Vergil
<>
Week #3 (September 12): The
Progress of Civilizations
Lecture: The
Golden Age in Ancient Society
(J. Rea)
Viewings: Serenity.
Click here for the viewing guide to Serenity
Click here for the reading guide for the Odyssey
Week #4 (September 19): Greek Mythology,
Monsters and Exotic Worlds, Part I
Lecture:
Homer's
Odyssey Gods and Monsters in the Odyssey. (J.
Rea).
In-class writing assignment #1
Viewing: Stanley Kubrick's 2001: Space Odyssey.
Click here for the viewing guide and here for another view on 2001:
A Space Odyssey
Week # 5 (September 26): Exam I. Click here for the
review questions.
<>
<>Readings: Herodotus Book I
and Books I and IX of Ludvig
Holberg
<><Click here
for the reading guide to
Ludvig
Holberg’s
Niels
Klim’s Journey to the Underground World and Herodotus.
Unit Two: Science Fiction,
Satire and Utopia
Week #6 (October 3): Greek Mythology,
Monsters and Exotic Worlds, Part II
Lecture: Holberg,
Herodotus
and the Creation of Modern Science Fiction (Guest
Lecturer: Avery
Cahill) Click here for the powerpoint
that goes with the lecture
Viewing: The adventures of Baron Munchausen
<>
<>Readings: P.K. Dick
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Click here
for the reading guide
Week #7 (October10): Soul and
Identity, Part I
Readings: Click here
for the study guide for
Plato's dialogue Phaedrus
Week #8 (October 17): Soul and
Identity, Part II
Lecture: What is
Personal
Identity? (J. Rea)
Viewings: Bladerunner
Week #9 (October 24): Comedy and
Science Fiction, Part I
Lecture: The
Origins
of Comedy in Science Fiction (Guest
Lecturer: K. Kapparis)
Viewings: Star Trek
Next Generation, “Angel One”
Week 10 (October 31): Comedy and Science
Fiction, Part II
Exam II
Petronius’
Saytricon
(Selections)
Readings: Gerd
Brantenburg’s
Egalia’s Daughters
Week #11 (November 7): Comedy
and Science Fiction, Part III
Lecture: Why we
Laugh:
Comic Uses of Status, Gender and Appearance (J.
Rea) Click here for the reading guide
for the Satyricon and Egalia's Daughters
In class writing assignment #2
Readings: Click here
for the powerpoint reading guide for James
Alan
Gardiner’s Hunted and Thucydides The
Melian Dialogue
Unit Three: The Concept of Society in Science
Fiction
Week #12 (November 14): Individualism
vs. Authoritarianism, Part I
Discussion: (J. Rea)
Week #13 (November 21) No class (Thanksgiving
Break)
Reading:
Lucian's A True History (Selection) As you
read this brief excerpt from Lucian, consider why many consider this
work to be the forerunner of modern fantasy and science fiction.
Week
#14
(November 28)Individualism
vs. Authoritarianism, Part II
Lecture/Discussion: An
Ambivalent
Society (J. Rea)
Viewings: Star Trek,
Enterprise, Carbon Creek Click here for
the review sheet for the exam.
Week #15 (December 5) Final Exam
(Due to the fact that the last day of class falls on the first day of
Hanukkah, a make-up exam will also be given)
Grading: The course
will have three non-cumulative exams (3 exams at 30%) and two in-class
writing assignments (2 essays at 5% each). The exams will consist of
both short answer questions and longer, comprehensive essays that are
meant to test your knowledge of the key themes and issues that we will
be discussing over the course of the semester. The content of the tests
will be based on the assigned readings, viewings, and course
discussions.
Grading Scale: A= 100-90; B+ = 89;
B= 88-80; C+ = 79; C= 78-70; D+ = 69; D = 68-60; E= below 60
ADA Requirements:
If you need specific classroom accomodations, it is your responsibility
to notify me at the start of the semester so that your needs may be
met. You will also need to give me a letter from the Disability
Resource Center (202 Peabody Hall) indicating that you need academic
accommodations.
Exam, Assignment, and Class Expectations:
It is extremely difficult to be involved in the learning process
unless you participate fully in class discussions. Thus, your
participation in class discussion and willingness to translate in class
are especially critical. It should be obvious that you cannot
make an effective contribution to the class if you come to class
unprepared, are chronically late, or fail to attend class.
Make-up examinations are rarely given and only for extraordinary
circumstances beyond your control, such as a grave illness or family
emergency. Grading will be traditional, i.e., only outstanding work
will receive an A, good work will receive a B, average work a C,
etc. You can expect your final grade to be lowered by one-half grade
for each missed class. In addition, habitually arriving late or
leaving class early will cause your final grade to be lowered as
well. If you are experiencing
difficulties with the class, do not suffer in silence! Please feel free
to stop by my office or talk to me before or after class about the
course or the course content.
Honor Code (Source: web site:
http://www.dso.ufl.edu/STG/Code_of_Conduct.html#Honor Code):
The following pledge is either required or implied on all work
submitted for credit by University of Florida students: "On my honor, I
have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this
assignment." For a full statement of UF's Academic Honor Code see
either the Undergraduate Catalog or the web site.