English 190C
Spring 1997
Mr. Tanaka

English 190C
Seminar in Science Fiction

The purpose of English 190C is to examine contemporary science fiction as
"serious" literature by examining the cyberpunk movement represented by
William Gibson, Bruce Sterling and Neil Stephenson, and the work of Sheri S.
Tepper, who has managed to combine fantasy and science fiction to create a
set of novels that deal with many of the most important social and political
issues of our century, such as, population growth, aids, gender conflicts,
race and class conflicts and the effect of technology on the shape of
society as a whole as well as the personality.  190C is a seminar designed:
1) to help the student to explore the ways that science fiction writers use
innovations in science, technology and modeling techniques to represent
their vision of the world, 2) to help the student develop his or her
critical thinking and composition skills through a personal analysis of
the ideas presented in the novels, 3) to introduce the student to the some
of the non-specialized methods for interpreting literary texts,
specifically the novel form.

FORMAT

Since this is a seminar, we will try to keep lectures to a minimum.
However, the first few weeks of the course will be devoted to presenting
a general model for the interpretation of literary texts.  The rest of the
semester will be devoted to class discussions, analysis of selected videos,
oral reports and guest speakers.

REQUIREMENTS

190C is designed to allow the student to be evaluated according to his or
her personal interests and needs.  All students will be required to read
the texts according to the schedule and attend class regularly.  The
specific formats available will be presented in a separate handout.
However, students can take the course in the following ways:a) Text outlines
only.  Maximum grade of B-.b) Text outlines with written midterm and oral
report.  Maximum grade of B.b) Text outlines with written midterm (or paper)
oral report and final exam.  Maximum grade of B+.

c) Standard Course: Text
outlines with four written papers (portfolio evaluation) and final paper or
project.  Maximum grade of A. You must do the assigned reading.  Quizzes
will be given to check your progress. You will be asked to write four
papers of approximately six to eight pages in length.  These will be
collected in a portfolio which will be evaluated at the end of the semester.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is mandatory.  Five unexcused absences will mean an automatic
F with no appeal.  A roll sheet will be passed out at the beginning of each
class period.  You are responsible for checking its accuracy.  Any
corrections must be made by the instructor no later than the following
class period.  If you are fifteen minutes late by the classroom clock, you
will be counted absent for the day.  Any excused absence, e.g. an absence
documented with a note from a physician or dentist, will not be counted
against you.  However, any student with more than four excused absences
must do supplementary make-up assignments in order to receive credit for
the course.

OFFICE HOURS

There will be a sign-up sheet on the door of English 165 for office hours.
If you are unable to keep an office appointment, please call 278-6586.

REQUIRED TEXTS

William Gibson  Burning Chrome 
Bruce Sterling Mirrorshades (Anthology of cyberpunk fiction)
Sheri S. Tepper Sideshow
Philip K. Dick  Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
Terry Bisson  Johnny Mnemonic
Neil Stephenson  Snow Crash.
One other text to be selected by the student (suggestions): Tepper Gate to
Women's Country; Gibson Neuromancer, Virtual Light; Sterling Islands in the
Net.

TENTATIVE READING SCHEDULE

Week 1-3: 	

General lectures and discussions.  Gibson, "Johnny Mnemonic," "Winter Light,"
"Burning Chrome;" Dick, Androids;  Bisson, Johnny Mnemonic;  Sterling,
Introduction to Mirrorshades.

Week 3:	

Snow Crash 

Week 5:	

Sideshow

Week 8:	

Last novel/Oral report

GENERAL NOTE ON PAPER TOPICS

The paper topics will be based on class discussion and other materials,
e.g., films, presented in class.  The paper format must also follow
guidelines set forth in class.  The only information that can be used in
arguments must be derived from: 1) a close reading of the text, 2) class
materials, 3) the student's personal experience.  No secondary sources will
be permitted.  Emphasis will be based upon the student's improvement in
three areas: 1) ability to engage in the themes and ideas presented in the
texts, 2) critical thinking skills, and 3) composition skills, with an
emphasis on sentence clarity and paragraph development.