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Course: Introduction to Science Fiction
Department: English
Course Description: This course will introduce students to science fiction through the examination of the major themes found in the genre. The course will also focus on the origins of the genre and the relationship between the story and the era in which it was written. Students will read a wide selection of sf and related fantasy fiction, discuss stories and themes, write several analytical papers, and develop their own internet homepage as a research project.
| *COURSE OUTCOMES |
OUTCOMES ACTIVITIES |
ASSESSMENT TOOLS |
| Upon successful completion of this course, students should |
To achieve these outcomes, students may engage in the following activities: |
Student learning may be assessed by |
| 1. To develop an appreciation and understanding of science fiction literature. |
Read and discuss in class assigned works from different literary and historical periods of fantasy literature (OC, R, CT)
Identify in class discussions characteristics of various literary texts as representative of particular strands of science fiction (OC, CT)
Participate in small group discussions of background material on authors’ lives, works, and literary periods (R, OC, CT)
Watch videos that provide background and context for the literature of a particular period (OC, CT)
Research cultural and historical issues surrounding the creation and publication of literary works(R, TS, CT)
Write quiz responses that focus on a common idea or issue in the works of a particular period (W, CT)
Develop discussion board questions based on the literary works (W, OC, CT)
Trace the evolution of science fiction through different periods (R, CT, OC, W) |
Reading comprehension quizzes (R, W, CT)
Reading logs (R, W, CT)
Individual presentations (via WebCT message board) on authors and texts (R, OC, W, TS, CT)
Short or longer essays on assigned works of authors from different literary and historical periods and from different cultural backgrounds (TS, W, CT)
Researched papers on historical and/or cultural influences on the literature of a particular period (TS, W, R, CT)
Self-assessment of the ability to recognize cultural patterns in major works (R, W, CT) |
| 2. To assess the unique role of science fiction authors within the culture. |
Review the literary concepts presented in Composition II in the context of discussing literature (OC, W)
Use literary concepts in small group discussion of literary passages (CT, OC, R)
Create reading log responses to assigned readings (W, R CT)
Perform peer reviews (R, W, CT, OC)
Apply literary concepts in the written analysis of literary passages (W, CT,)
Write and revise essays (W, CT, TS)
Identify the various genres that emerge in the development of the literature (CT, R, W, OC) |
Class notes (OC, W,)
Quizzes (CT, R, W)
Tests (CT, W, R)
Formal and informal writing, including discussion board postings (CT, W, R, TS)
Self-assessment of the ability to use the concepts in small-group discussion (CT, OC) |
| 3. To learn about the historical and cultural contexts that inform and shape science fiction. |
Review historical events that are relevant to science fiction themes (OC, R, CT)
Actively read assigned texts using such techniques as underlining, highlighting, marginal notes, and summarizing main idea (R, W, CT)
Create group definition in response to Moskowitz’s essay, “How Science Fiction Got its Name” (CT, OC)
Examine and understand major differences between 19th Century fantasy, the Golden Age of Science Fiction, and the New Wave period. (R, W, OC, CT)
Test the currency or validity of particular “science fiction” values by applying them to contemporary contexts (CT, R, OC)
Complete a time line (CT, W) |
Brief written summaries of texts or passages within texts (R, W, CT)
Evaluation of writing that links the values expressed in a text to a contemporary situation (CT, R, W)
Quizzes (CT, R, W)
Tests (CT, R, W) |
| 4. Recognize in literary and historical texts themes that continue to influence science fiction (e.g. developing technology, personal freedom versus group responsibility, atomic energy, gender and race consciousness, violence, The Cold War). |
Internet research concerning World War I, The Cold War and the Vietnam War. (CT, R, W, OC)
Examine 20th scientific speculations and their relevance to current attitudes. (CT, R, W, OC)
Study texts recounting women's experiences; compare and contrast them with contemporary experiences and attitudes. (CT, R, W, OC) |
Informal writing in response to topics and contexts created by instructor (CT, R, W)
Formal writing on topics identified and researched by the student (CT, R, W, TS)
Tests (CT, R, W)
Participation in class discussion (CT, R, OC)
Self-assessments of participation in small group discussion (OC, W, CT) |
| 5. Develop and express, formally and/or informally, points of view on these themes in order to stimulate critical thinking. |
Participate in class discussions (OC,R, CT)
Identify an author’s view on a topic and evaluate its presentation (R, OC, W, CT)
Conduct research to develop a point of view on one or more of the themes (TS, R, W, CT)
Participate in an opposing views panel discussion of the theme as it appears in a text (OC, CT, R)
Evaluate the opposing views on a theme by viewing Internet sources (TS, CT)
Write comparison/contrast response papers (W, R, CT)
Complete written self-assessments of oral presentations (CT, W) |
Written summaries of authors and/or panels (W, R, CT,)
Response papers (W, R, CT)
Reading logs/journals (W, R, CT)
Web site evaluation forms (TS, CT, R, W)
Panel self- and peer-evaluation forms (W, CT)
Annotated bibliography (W, R, TS, CT)
Comparison/contrast essays that take a stand (W, R, CT)
Documented essay (TS, W, R, CT) |
| 6. Conduct research and assess information from a variety of sources in order to understand the research topic. |
Identify an area of special interest and develop a working bibliography of relevant materials in the MCC library (TS, R, W, CT)
Locate and assess Internet sites relevant to an area of interest (TS, R, W, CT)
Complete faculty-designed web quests related to authors and their works (TS, R, W, CT)
Read and discuss literary and/or historical analysis and criticism (R, CT, OC)
Develop a Powerpoint presentation on an area of interest for the class (TS, R, W, CT, OC)
Write a documented essay that integrates primary and secondary sources (TS, R, W, CT
Develop a student homepage in that showcases a science fiction writer (TS, CT, W) |
Completed web quest forms (TS, R, W, CT)
Working bibliography (TS, W, R, CT)
Annotated bibliography (TS, W, R, CT)
Completed web site evaluation forms (TS, W, R, CT)
Oral presentation evaluated by peers, professor, and self (W, R, CT, OC)
Powerpoint presentation evaluated by peers, professor, and self (TS, W, R, CT, OC)
Documented essay (TS, W, R, CT) |
| 7. Appreciate the personal relevance and shared values of literature and the pleasure of recognizing the universal human condition |
Read literature aloud (R, OC)
Listen to others, including authors, reading aloud and discussing the creative process (OC, CT)
Watch videos that provide context and interpret themes contained in the assigned readings (OC, CT)
Compare literary treatment of themes, characters, and situations with their treatment in other art forms e.g. painting, sculpture, music, dance, film) (CT, OC, R, TS, W)
Write reader response logs (W, R, CT)
Verbalize immediate aesthetic responses to literature read (explaining what is meant by personal relevance and audience appeal) (OC, R, CT)
Write reviews of films which are thematically relevant to assigned literature (W, R, CT, TS) |
Oral and written feedback on reading aloud (W,OC, R, CT)
Listening comprehension quizzes (OC, W, CT)
Journal and reading log responses that reflect on the reading process (W, CT, R)
Journal and reading log responses that reflect on the aesthetic response to assigned literature (W, CT, R)
Oral and written feedback on creative student material (OC, R, CT)
Essays comparing two or more works of literature on the basis of their themes, characters, and/or situations presented (W, R, TS, CT)
Reviews of films, plays, and albums (W, OC, CT, TS, R)
Researched and documented essay on some aspect of the human condition as it appears in literature (W, CT, TS, R) |
8. Strengthen Core Competencies** in order to increase success in this and other courses and in the workplace.
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Referenced above |
Referenced above |
**Indicate the Core Competencies that apply to the outcomes activities and assessment tools: Critical Thinking (CT); technology skills (TS); oral communications (OC); quantitative skills (QS); reading (R); writing (w).
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