In LIT 61: Science Fiction Literature, you will:

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1 Syllabus What You Should Already Know There are no prerequisites for this course. You should have a desire to learn, read, think about things in a new way, and explore different ideas about human nature and science. Learning Outcomes In LIT 61: Science Fiction Literature, you will: 1. Analyze science fiction novels. 2. Identify major themes and elements presented in science fiction. 3. Evaluate the way in which science fiction is a commentary on human nature and civilization. 4. Examine each author s individuality in subject and skill. Required Materials Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card I, Robot by Isaac Asimov How the Course Works There are six lessons in this course, employing four different kinds of assignments: Self Check, Speedback, review, and the portfolio. These assignments deal with various themes based on the readings. As you work through each lesson, you will find Self Check questions that do just that they check your comprehension of important facts and information contained in the reading. Speedback is a term used to describe the graded assignments at the end of each lesson. Speedback assignments are computer processed and will give you scores and immediate feedback on any questions you did 1

2 LIT 61: Science Fiction Literature not answer correctly. Further instructions for completing these questions are included in each lesson. The Final Portfolio assignment is a creative, comprehensive way to explore the themes in the texts. It commands critical-thinking skills, higher-level thought, and organized, clear writing skills. The writing assignments that make up your portfolio give you the chance to express your ideas in your own words. The portfolio is the way you make this course your own. See the section on preparing your portfolio for more information and specific instructions. Make sure you read all the assigned material carefully, looking for details as well as overall themes. You will succeed if you complete all of the discussion material and answer and correct all the Self Check questions. For the final exam, you will need to study the Speedback lesson assignments (in addition to the Self Check questions) to succeed. Preparing Your Portfolio The portfolio writing assignments are your opportunity to explore the themes and creative elements in science fiction that you find particularly interesting. Personalize these assignments by using your experiences when expressing your ideas. Don t worry about writing what you think I want to read: just be honest! I also suggest you write each assignment immediately following each lesson while the ideas and themes are fresh in your mind. Make it easier on yourself and don t leave all six until the end of the course. Every lesson has a portfolio writing assignment at the end with two writing choices. Choose only one of these assignments and save it to submit at the end of the course using the following format: 1. In the top left-hand side of the page: i. the lesson title and lesson number ii. the question you chose 2. In the top right-hand side of the page: i. your name ii. the page number 2

3 Syllabus IG Each assignment should be two to three pages, typed, and double spaced. All six portfolio writing assignments should be submitted at the same time when you have completed all the Speedback assignments. Formatting Your Written Work You will submit written assignments to Independent Study electronically through your course. To make sure I can open and read your papers, please save them as.rtf (rich text format) files. Here s how to do it: 1. Type your paper in a word-processing program (such as Microsoft Word). 2. When you save the file, click the Save as type: drop-down list. 3. Select Rich Text Format (*.rtf). 4. Use the course number, your first and last name, and the assignment name for the filename. For example, LIT61_JaneSmith_ Lesson1Assignment.rtf. 5. Click Save. Submitting Your Portfolio Assignments It s very important that you submit all of the assignments for a portfolio at the same time. Here s how to submit your completed portfolio assignments: 1. Click the Portfolio Assignment Submission link in your course. 2. Click Open. 3. Attach all of the relevant assignments by clicking the Choose File button, then locating the file you wish to submit. 4. To attach additional files, click Add Attachment and use the Choose File button to locate and upload the next file. Make sure you attach every file you need to include in the portfolio assignment. 5. When you are finished, click Submit. 6. You will be asked if you are sure you want to submit this assignment. Click Yes. 7. You will receive a message that tells you that you have successfully submitted your assignment. Click OK. 3

4 LIT 61: Science Fiction Literature Remember: Do not submit any assignment until you have completed all of the assignments for the portfolio! Creating an Excellent Portfolio Assignment This course is a literature course, so you will need to make sure your writing is clear and concise. We each have our own writing style and methods, and if you have one that is particularly useful to you, feel free to utilize it. If you re having trouble getting started, or find yourself stuck, consider the following information, which is a quick review and specific writing tips that I think are particularly useful. Read the question. Ask yourself, What is being asked? Think about the question before you write. Let your mind explore the ideas. Jot down notes points you want to be sure to make. Some people like to make an outline, some keep a journal, and others freewrite. Freewriting is when you write nonstop without editing anything for a given amount of time (usually from five to twenty minutes) and write anything and everything that comes to you. I find this method particularly effective in student writing (as well as my own!). Go through your ideas: circle or star the good ones and cross out the ideas you won t use this time. Move your ideas around: put them into categories and headings, and begin to organize them. Write your first draft. (Never turn in your first draft!) Look over your draft. Ask yourself, What would make it better? What could I change? Have I said clearly what I meant to say? Check to make sure that it has a clear introduction in which you address the question, that each point has its own paragraph and detail to support or prove it, and that the conclusion wraps up your ideas. Have someone else read it. Do they have any suggestions? Ask them. Consider the changes suggested, as well as your changes and write your second draft. Repeat the steps, if necessary. Write and type your final draft. 4

5 Syllabus IG I will be looking for clear, concise ideas presented in a well-organized manner. I will also be looking for original thought and specific detail when you are making your point or addressing the question. Remember, it doesn t matter if I agree or disagree with what you write as long as you make a good case for your ideas. You will accomplish this by supporting each idea or statement you make with specific details and examples. The following grading rubric will be used to grade your portfolio assignment: Score A (90 100) B (80 89) C (70 79) D (60 69) F (0 59) Description Assignment contains clear, concise writing, and is well-organized. It also has good ideas, original thought, specific detail, and addresses the question. Assignment has some original thought, lacks specific detail and/or organization in some areas, yet addresses the question. Assignment is somewhat organized, contains little original thought, lacks specific detail, and addresses the question only somewhat. Assignment lacks organization, detail, and doesn t address the question completely. Assignment is not acceptable. How to Pace Your Progress to Finish on Time Think about your graduation date. How much time do you need to finish this course? It s easy to procrastinate, so don t fall into that trap. Don t make completing this course a stressful situation, especially when it doesn t have to be that way. Remember to pace yourself. Only you know your schedule and your capabilities, so use that information to your advantage. Set goals when planning ahead. I want you to be successful, so be sure to leave enough time to meet reasonable goals so you ll be safe when it comes to your deadlines. Course Outline It s important to know where you re going so you can get there! The following outline should serve as a guide of what is expected of you for each lesson. The overall theme of the lesson and a list of the activities you must complete are given below. 5

6 LIT 61: Science Fiction Literature Do you have questions? After you ve read the materials, if you still have questions, please contact me through Independent Study and I will get back to you shortly. It is important to me that you have all the tools and information necessary to do well in this course! Lesson 1: Exploration: Why must humans explore? Read the beginning of The Martian Chronicles to February 2003: Interim. Lesson 2: Responsibility: Can humans be trusted? Read April 2003: The Musicians to the end of The Martian Chronicles. Lesson 3: Storytelling: Everyone has an important story to tell. Read the first half of Speaker for the Dead: The introduction through chapter 9, Congenital Defect. Lesson 4: Civilization: How Do you heal an injured community? Read the second half of Speaker for the Dead: chapter 10, Children of the Mind to the end of the novel. Lesson 5: Creation: How do humans adapt to new technology? Read the first half of I, Robot: The introduction through chapter 5, Liar! Lesson 6: The Future: Where will technology take us? 6

7 Syllabus IG Read the second half of I, Robot: chapter 6 Little Lost Robot to the end of the novel. Final Portfolio Submission Review lessons 1 6 Review the themes discussed in each lesson Collect all portfolio writing assignments and make sure they all have the lesson title and lesson number and the question that you chose to write about in the top left-hand side of the page. In the top right-hand side, you should have your name and the page number. Let s Talk About Your Grade The first part of your grade is taken from the Speedback scores. You can submit these assignments at the end of each lesson, or group them into two or three lessons at a time. Speedback assignments test your analytical and interpretive skills. Your total Speedback score is worth 54 percent of your grade. (Each lesson is worth 8 percent and each Speedback review assignment worth 3 percent.) You must submit the Speedback assignment from each lesson, as well as the Final Portfolio assignment before you take the final exam. The second part of your grade is the portfolio. You should upload and save each assignment as you complete it; however, make sure you do not submit any of the assignments until you have completed them all. The portfolio is worth 20 percent of your grade. All of the work you submit must be your own. Any plagiarism or cheating will not be tolerated. Using anyone else s ideas or words for the Portfolio essay is not only against the rules, but defeats the purpose of this course and wastes your time and mine. This course is meant to give you an introduction to science fiction and to let you explore your thoughts and ideas about the texts and themes you discover here. I want to read your point of view. Plagiarizing someone else s work defeats that goal completely. If you choose to cheat and plagiarize any portion of an assignment, you will fail the assignment with no opportunity to resubmit your work. 7

8 LIT 61: Science Fiction Literature The final part of your grade is the final exam, which is worth 26 percent of your grade. You must pass the final exam with at least a 60 percent to pass the course. Lesson Percentage Breakdown Lesson 1 8% Lesson 2 8% Lesson 3 8% Cumulative Review 3% Lesson 4 8% Lesson 5 8% Lesson 6 8% Cumulative Review 3% Final Portfolio 20% Final Exam 26% Total 100% Grading Scale A C A C B D B D B D C E (fail) 0 59 Remember that you must pass the final with a 60 percent or better to pass the course. 8