Syllabus and Contract Outline
READ WITH CARE - GRADING INFORMATION

TEXTS AND FILMS:
Scott, Ridley Blade Runner

Scott, Ridley Alien

Bradbury, Ray The Martian Chronicles

Miller, Walter Canticle for Leibowitz

Dick, Philip K. Man in a High Castle

Jones, L. Q. A Boy and His Dog

Leguin, Ursula K. The Left Hand of Darkness

Card, Orson Scott Ender's Game

Hill, George Roy Slaughter House 5

Gibson, William Count Zero

GRADES:

You are expected to read or view assigned materials in the order assigned above, to visit relevant web sites, to send reports of those visits to your instructor and to participate in discussions by posting on our Science Fiction Forum. Brief informational quizzes on assigned materials must be completed as well. Finally you will have to write, and submit by e-mail, a final examination. All the films are available on reserve in the library in DVD format and from Netflix and Blockbuster. Both of these vendors have 1 month trial memberships which allow free rentals and/or on demand viewing.

In order to take quizzes and view instructor videos students must have the Apple Quicktime player installed on their computer.

FINAL EXAM:

The final examination requires you to integrate a variety of course materials into an essay that presents and discusses your views about one of the following questions. In writing your answer you must refer to the The Matrix and at least four of the novels you read and three of the films you viewed for this course, explaining how each novel or film illustrates some of the points you are making. Specifically, you will need to explain how this scene from The Matrix (56k Modem) (Broad Band) demonstrates the fundamental way science fiction explores change and its effects on all of us. YOUR EXAM MUST BE AT LEAST 1500 WORD IN LENGTH.

EXAM QUESTIONS:
1. What changing attitudes toward religion are conveyed by the science fiction writers and film makers studied in this course?

2. What changes in the concept of the hero are revealed by examining the science fiction written and produced during the last 50 years?

3. Discuss the changes in attitude toward cultural differences and relationships between aliens, colonized people or various classes of people found in the various novels read and films viewed for this science fiction class.

4. Explain how the science fiction read and viewed for this course uses adventure and/or wonder to entertain readers and/or engage in social criticism while exploring the effects of change on human beings.

A modified contract grading system will be used in determining final grades for CSt 3030 - Science Fiction. Essentially students will have to earn a specified number of points to qualify for A, B, or C grades. In computing the final grade quiz/discussion points will be weighed equally with points earned on the take home final examination. The following point - grade requirements will apply:

In order to qualify for an A grade students must earn a minimum of: 220 quiz/commentary points

In order to qualify for a B grade students must earn a minimum of: 180 quiz/posting points

In order to qualify for a C grade students must earn a minimum of: 120 quiz/posting points

In addition to the scheduled quizzes students must submit web assignments and postings on any materials they are reading or on films and videos seen as part of the course. The postings are made on our Science Fiction Forum. The instructor will award quiz\posting points for well written thoughtful postings of at least 300 words. Web assignments are submitted by email to the instructor.

You are free to work at your own pace, but I suggest you do one lesson every week. Everything is due in the order of the assigned films and texts.  Start with Blade Runner, finish with Count Zero and The Matrix.

Postings are scored according to a general rule of thumb which is: 15 points for an A, 10 points for a B, and 5 points for a C. There is, however, no upper limit for the number of points which can be earned on a posting or on the number of postings that students may submit.

Web assignments are scored according to a general rule of thumb which is: 10 points for an A, 8 points for a B, and 6 points for a C. Only one web assignment can be submitted for each of the works assigned

Points earned on postings and web assignments will be added to the points earned on the quizzes and the final.

To earn an A students will need a minimum of 440 points

To earn a B students will need a minimum of 360 points

To earn a C students will need a minimum of 240 points

All students must complete all scheduled quizzes with a total of 130 points to earn an "A"; a total of 110 points to earn a "B": or a total of 90 to earn a "C".

Finally, students must complete all web assignments and Forum postings with a total of 70 points in each category to qualify for an "A"; all but one with a total of 60 points in each category to qualify for a "B": or all but two with a total of 50 in each category to qualify for a "C".

In order to request an extension to complete the course after the end of the term (August 2, 2013), students must have completed all assignments for five of ten lessons. Students requesting an extension will then receive an I (Incomplete) grade which will change to an "F" 6 weeks after the end of the term (September 14, 2013) if they do not complete the course requirements. Only one such extension will be granted. If students do not request an extension before the end of the term, an F grade will be submitted if their coursework is incomplete.

SPECIAL FACILITIES AND/OR ARRANGEMENTS: If you have a physical or cultural condition, either permanent or temporary, which you believe makes it difficult for you to participate in and/or complete the requirements of this course in the time and manner prescribed, please let me know by the end of the first week of instruction. Adaptation of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required. It is your responsibility to contact the Access Center for advice regarding adaptations.

The following University policies related to teaching and learning apply in this course:

Teaching & Learning: Instructor and Student Responsibilities:

UMD is committed to providing a positive, safe, and inclusive place for all who study and work here.  Instructors and students have mutual responsibility to insure that the environment in all of these settings supports teaching and learning, is respectful of the rights and freedoms of all members, and promotes a civil and open exchange of ideas. To reference the full policy please see:  http://www.d.umn.edu/vcaa/TeachingLearning.html 

Academic Integrity:

Academic dishonesty tarnishes UMD’s reputation and discredits the accomplishments of students.  Academic dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community.  UMD’s Student Academic Integrity Policy can be found at: http://www.d.umn.edu/conduct/integrity

Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials: Taking notes is a means of recording information but more importantly of personally absorbing and integrating the educational experience. However, broadly disseminating class notes beyond the classroom community or accepting compensation for taking and distributing classroom notes undermines instructor interests in their intellectual work product while not substantially furthering instructor and student interests in effective learning. For additional information, please see: http://www.d.umn.edu/vcaa/ClassNotesAppropriateUseof.html