English 192—Science Fiction

Instructor: James H. Donelan
MW 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM GIRV 1112
Prerequisites: Writing 2, 50, or 109; English 10; or upper-division standing  
Satisfies a GE area G and a Writing requirement
Office Hours: Wednesday, 11:00-12:00; Thursday, 11:00-12:00
Office: South Hall 2715
Email: donelan@english.ucsb.edu
Web Site: http://www.english.ucsb.edu/faculty/jdonelan/scifi.htm
 
Course Description

We will examine representative works of science fiction in short stories, novels, television, and films, beginning with some nineteenth-century prototypes and continuing with an exploration of its major themes and genres in the twentieth century. Authors read will include: H.G. Wells, Ursula Le Guin, Octavia Butler, Arthur C. Clarke, and Philip K. Dick.


Texts:
Wells, The Time Machine
Le Guin and Attebery, eds. The Norton Book of Science Fiction
James, The Children of Men
Gibson, Burning Chrome
The books are at the UCSB Bookstore.


Films:  
Lang, Metropolis
Clarke, 2001: A Space Odyssey
Gilliam, 12 Monkeys

Cuarón, Children of Men

 

Requirements: The course requires two papers, a midterm, and a final examination, in addition to regular attendance and active participation in discussions.

  • Assignments should not be substantially longer or shorter than the length assigned and submitted on time and use the prescribed format. Late papers will result in grade reductions.
  • Never hand in a paper without proofreading it carefully.
  • Successful discussion sections depend on your presence and your full participation. Do not miss class, and keep up with the syllabus.
  • University regulations regarding plagiarism will be strictly enforced.
  • Your final grade will be calculated as follows: first essay, 20%; second essay, 20%; midterm, 20%; final exam, 30%; class participation, 10%.

 

Syllabus

I: The Origins of Science Fiction: Mad Scientists and Visions of the Future

3/28 Introduction and Logistics
3/30 H.G. Wells, The Time Machine

4/4 A Brief History of Science Fiction and Mass Media (lecture); Gibson, “The Gernsback Continuum,” 457
4/5 Fritz Lang, Metropolis

4/6 Metropolis discussion.
 

4/11 James, Children of Men (novel)
4/12 Cuarón, Children of Men showing.

4/13 Children of Men novel and film discussion.

 

II: Cold War Nightmares: Strange Creatures and Ecological Disasters

 

4/18 Willis, “Schwarzchild Radius,” 689; Bear, “Schrödinger’s Plague,” 477

4/20 Walthrop, “…The World, as We Know’t,” 485. First Paper Due

4/25 Sargeant, “Gather Blue Roses,” 250; Kessel, “Invaders,” 830.
4/27 Delany, “High Weir,” 183; Emschwiller, “The Start of the End of It All,” 466

5/2 Midterm

III: Gender in a Technological Era


5/4 Pohl, “Day Million,” 166; Elgin, “For the Sake of Grace,” 211

5/9 Tiptree, “The Women Men Don’t See,” 255; Butler, “Speech Sounds,” 513
5/11 Stories from Norton to be announced in class.

IV: Machines Run Amok: Computers and Androids

5/16 Silverberg, “Good News from the Vatican,” 242; Dick, “Frozen Journey,” 386; Class choice.
5/17 2001: A Space Odyssey showing.
5/18 2001: A Space Odyssey discussion; Smith, “Alpha Ralpha Boulevard,” 49


V: The Problem of Memory

5/23 The Star Trek Phenomenon (no reading); class mass culture choice.
5/25 Gibson, “Burning Chrome” and “Johnny Mnemonic”; Fowler, “The Lake Was Full of Artificial Things,” 580. Second paper due.

5/30 Memorial Day

5/31 12 Monkeys showing.
6/1 Gilliam, 12 Monkeys and final class discussion.

Final Exam: Wednesday, June 8 at 8AM.