ENG 271 – CRN 73552
Introduction to Literature: Genre (section 1)
Topic: Science Fiction
August 22-December 16, Fall 2016
Monday Wednesday Friday 12:30-1:20 pm, KUY 304
Ida Yoshinaga (ida@hawaii.edu), Instructor
KUY #522, (808) 956-3057 during office hours (MW 10:15-11:15 am & by appointment); no voicemail
ABD, Creative Writing, &
MA, English & Sociology
CLASS SECTION DESCRIPTION: Focus on the genre aspects of science fiction storytelling; what is genre, and why does it matter? What are the stakes of genre in sf, including historical, political, and meaning-oriented debates and discussions?
REQUIRED READINGS, in the order we will study them [available until late October at a 10% discount for enrolled students at Revolution Books; on the 2nd floor of University Square, 3 blocks south of UH; open noon-6 pm Mon-Sun; 2615 S. King, #211, 808-944-3106]:
• The Wesleyan Anthology of Science Fiction (Wesleyan UP, 2010, ISBN 0819569550)
• Karel Capek, War With the Newts (Catbird Press, 1990, ISBN 0945774109)
• Philip K. Dick, The Man in the High Castle (Mariner Books, 2012, ISBN 0547572484)
• Samuel R. Delany, The Einstein Intersection (Wesleyan UP, 1998, ISBN 0819563366)
Nisi Shawl, Everfair (Tor Books, 2016, ISBN 076533805X)
• Modern Language Association (MLA) style/citation, and other, resources in the Online Writing Lab (OWL) of Purdue University: https://owl.english.purdue.edu
• “Resources” and other parts of the Laulima course website (log in with UH user ID/password): https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal
COURSE REQUIREMENTS [out of 100 total possible points]
Participation: In-class oral responses to lectures, class discussion, and groupwork (10 points). Both quantity and quality of responses count.
Discussion Board posts: Weekly written responses to instructor’s question prompts, usually performed partly in class and requiring close readings of the assigned textbook/s (15 points).
3 short essays: 5 double spaced pages each, submitted to the Assignments section of Laulima course website (10 points each, or 30 points total), related to the textbook/s.
1 oral presentation in a 2-3 person group or alone (15 points)—aided by PowerPoint, KeyNote, or any other audio-visual presentation format—on a science-fictional story (novel, short fiction, film, video, web, music, mixed media, etc.) that is not required for the course. PPT or PDF file of visual presentation should be submitted to Assignments part of the course website, within 24 hours of finishing your presentation.
2 objective, short exams on the required readings, including related details, concepts, and issues, most of which are covered in class (15 points each, or 30 points total).
Note: Regular attendance is required (more than 3 absences will be penalized); frequent or long tardies and frequent exiting of the class session early, will also result in decreased scores.
Frequently disruptive students, after being warned initially, will be penalized, especially in terms of their participation grade.
Regular checking of your UH email account and the Laulima course website is required.