The following schedule is subject to change according to the demands of the class. I will announce changes to it in class when the need presents itself. Pay close attention to page numbers for Atwood readings at the end of the semester. I am not requiring that you read the whole novel.
Introduction |
T |
August 30 |
Introduction to the class and the topic of Science Fiction |
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Part One: Frankenstein and Variations |
|
Th |
September 1 |
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, Introduction-Ch. II
Available online at
"https://www.gutenberg.org/files/84/84-h/84-h.htm" |
|
T |
September 6 |
Shelley, Chs. III-VII |
Th |
September 8 |
Shelley, Chs. VIII-XIII |
|
T |
September 13 |
Shelley, Chs. XIV-XX |
Th |
September 15 |
QUIZ ON SHELLEY
Shelley, Chs. XXI-XXIV |
|
T |
September 20 |
In-class viewing of Frankenstein (1931) |
Th |
September 22 |
Discussion of Frankenstein, novel vs. film |
|
T |
September 27 |
Black Mirror, "Be Right Back," Season 2, Episode 1, 2013. |
Th |
September 29 |
PART ONE EXAMINATION ON FRANKENSTEIN AND VARIATIONS |
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Part Two: Alien Invasions |
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T |
October 4 |
H. G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, Book I, Chs. I-XIII
Available online at
"https://www.gutenberg.org/files/36/36-h/36-h.htm" |
Th |
October 6 |
Wells, Book I, Chs. XIV-XVII; Book II, Chs. I-II |
|
T |
October 11 |
Wells, Book II, Chs. III-X |
Th |
October 13 |
QUIZ ON WELLS
The Twilight Zone, "Will the Real Martian Please Stand up?," Season 2, Episode 28, 1961.
Film version of War of the Worlds (2005) |
|
T |
October 18 |
Continued viewing of The War of the Worlds (2005) + Discussion |
Th |
October 20 |
QUIZ ON ALIEN INVASIONS
Isaac Asimov, The Caves of Steel, Chs. 1-5 |
|
T |
October 25 |
Asimov, Chs. 6-10 |
Th |
October 27 |
No Class: Fall Break |
|
T |
November 1 |
Asimov, Chs. 11-14 |
Th |
November 3 |
Asimov, Chs. 15-18 |
|
T |
November 8 |
PART TWO EXAMINATION ON WELLS, SERLING, SPIELBERG, AND ASIMOV |
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Part Three: Science-Fiction Dystopias |
|
Th |
November 10 |
Margaret Atwood, The Year of the Flood, The Garden, The Year of the Flood, Creation Day (pp. 1-19) |
|
T |
November 15 |
Atwood, Creation Day (pp. 30-48)
DRAFT OF FUTURE TECHNOLOGY ANALYSIS DUE FOR PEER-EDITING |
Th |
November 17 |
Atwood, Festival of the Arks (pp. 87-121) |
|
T |
November 22 |
QUIZ ON ATWOOD
Atwood, Mole Day (pp. 157-193) |
Th |
November 24 |
Thanksgiving Holiday |
|
T |
November 29 |
Atwood, April Fish (pp. 193-229)
FINAL DRAFT OF FUTURE TECHNOLOGY ANALYSIS DUE |
Th |
December 1 |
Atwood, Pollination Day-Saint Dian, Martyr (pp. 303-318); Saint Rachel and All the Birds (pp. 369-400)slightly longer reading for today |
|
T |
December 6 |
Atwood, Saint Terry and All Wayfarers (pp. 401-434) |
Th |
December 8 |
Black Mirror, "Fifteen Million Merits," Series 1, Episode 2, 2013. |
|
Th |
December 15 |
8-9:50am FINAL EXAM (CUMULATIVE) IN THE NORMAL CLASS MEETING ROOM (H 470) |