GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 

COURSE INFORMATION OUTLINE

 

COURSE NO.: LIT 213                                                     TITLE:  Science Fiction

 

CREDIT HOURS:  3                                                            CONTACT HOURS:  3

 

FULL CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

 

Examines social, political, philosophical, scientific, and spiritual issues as they appear in science fiction. Explores  representative stories and novels, as well as biographical and historical material. Develops informed judgments about science fiction and its connection to science and philosophy. Evaluates and critique works of science fiction. Computer labs may be used, although computer knowledge not necessary, except for online course sections. Prerequisite: ENG 101.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES (STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES):

 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

 

1.      Discover and investigate, in writing, their personal preferences or opinions relating to at least three branches of science fiction literature, from early 1900s to present;

2.      Demonstrate familiarity with at least three developments or issues in the history of the field;

  1. Discuss in writing a minimum three to five commonly agreed upon themes and/or aesthetic concerns particular to American and British science fiction;
  2. Discuss in writing at least three commonly agreed upon literary devices, structures, tropes, and/or forms of expression particular to science fiction;
  3. Analyze in writing such concepts as character development, point of view, setting, imagery, and theme.

6.      *Complete a 1500+ word MLA-style research paper in which they provide at least one piece of historical, sociopolitical, political, mythic, and scientific context, as well as an ability to apply at least two literary critical methods to a short story as evidence of the student’s appreciation for science fiction and its traditions. 

 

* This course objective has been identified as a student learning outcome that must be formally accessed as part of the College’s Comprehensive Assessment Plan. All faculty teaching this course must collect the required data (see Accessing Student Learning Outcomes form) and submit the required analysis and documentation at the conclusion of the semester to the Office of Assessment and Special Projects.

 

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES:

 

Lecture, class critiques, reading, discussion.

 

CRITERIA FOR GRADING:

 

A student’s final grade is determined on the basis of successful completion of all assigned papers, presentations, tests and quizzes, as well as participation and attendance.

 

REQUIRED TEXT(S):

 

To be determined by full-time faculty.

 

SUPPLEMENTARY READING/PRINCIPAL REFERENCES:

 

Discretion of the instructor.  Anthology and/or individual works

BRIEF OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT

 

COURSE NO.    LIT 213      TITLE: Science Fiction

 

I.   Defining and Describing Science Fiction

 

II.  Themes

 

III. Exploring Branches of the Field

 

III. Contextualizing the Texts

 

IV. Literary Analysis

 

VI. Devices

 

Description Revised:  Spring 2004

Dated:     Fall 2002

Revised:  Fall 1995