Class hours: Thu. 6-9:20 pm. Classroom: E214
Office: Division of Basic Studies, E-222 Office Phone: 684-7565
email: kfowler@ramapo.edu
Office hours: Mon. 3:45-6:00; 4:45-5:45

Course Description and Objectives:

This class is a 400 level interdisciplinary Senior Seminar drawing on women's studies, science, literature, cultural studies, and (to a lesser extent) history. We will be examining women writers of science fiction, utopias, dystopias, heterotopias and related genres from the Renaissance through the present. There will be a common set of texts (some of which, alas, must be read on reserve since science fiction texts and women's texts seem to go out of print at warp speed!) Each student, in addition, will read one additional novel and one critical essay and will post a report on each to WebCT (see Essay/Book Reports ). Other students will read these reports.  This will allow us as a class to become familiar with a range of women's sf texts and a range of critical perspectives and theory on feminist science fiction.

The class is a senior seminar and will be conducted in that format. The reading is heavy -- this is, after all, a 4-credit, 400 level course -- but it should be enjoyable and rewarding reading. I trust that the results will be worth both the effort and the cost of the texts. There will be no exams. Therefore it is essential that you be prepared to fully engage in the class and this will be a significant factor in your grade along with your posted reports and your seminar major project presentation and paper (see below). I will handout separately guidelines for "emergency cancellations" in case hurricanes, blizzards, or other disasters interrupt our efforts.  In addition to our readings, we will be watching several films and selections from films.

We will be attempting to answer a variety of questions about women's science fiction. We will not be approaching these questions systematically, but as they emerge from the texts we are reading and the discussions in class. The background critical and theoretical works are not meant to define or to limit our thinking, but to help set a framework to be questioned, rejected, modified, etc. I have outlined a few of those questions below but many more will arise as the semester proceeds.

1) What is the nature of science fiction in general? What subgenres and special themes emerge as characteristic of or appropriate to science fiction?

2) Is there something unique, different, or special about women's science fiction as opposed to the science fiction written by men?

3) Are there common elements, approaches, techniques apparent in all (or most) of science fiction by women.

4) How do other factors such as historical period, race, class, sexuality, nationality, region, religion, age, ability etc. affect the themes, approaches, and style of women's science fiction?

5) If science fiction reflects the world of the present in its presentation of worlds of the past, future, or elsewhere, what kind of judgments, appeals, criticisms, demands, etc. can we draw from the texts about the contemporary world?

6) What is the relationship of utopian/dystopian texts with science fiction. Are they a subset or only an intersecting genre?

7) How does the balance of science, social science, and imaginative literature affect a text of science fiction?

8) Sex, sexuality, gender, gender roles, reproduction, genetic engineering, etc. are frequent themes of feminist texts. Why? What is the significance of continued attention to these themes?

Prerequisite : Senior Status. Completion of College English. Desirable but not required : Advanced coursework in women's studies, science, and/or literature. Survey of science fiction.

Course Requirements:

Major Project: Your major seminar project will involve developing background material and co-leading the discussion on one of the full-length books that the whole class will be reading. (See Assignment Calendar for choices). You will work in pairs but you will each produce your own paper on your particular approach to the text. The project will require research both in print resources and on the web. Check reserve readings for useful material along with other database resources. I will provide a brief bibliography as a starting place.  I have tried to identify one or two sources to get you started but you will need to pursue your own research in the Voyager catalog and the electronic databases at Potter Library for further material. Make use of the web links on my web page for internet resources and check out the suggestions and resources in Writing/Research Links but be cautious about which internet resources you rely upon.  See the Potter Library guide to Evaluating Websites and the Guide to Citing Web and Print resources . I encourage you to consult with me as you go along in researching and preparing your Major Project.

You will select a  Major Project sf text the first night so you will know what you need to prepare, with whom you will be working, and when you will be expected to lead the class discussion on your text.  The project oral presentation will be due the night that your text is discussed; you are expected between the pair of you to lead the class in discussion for an hour and a half.  The written part of your project must be handed in by Nov. 21 if you wish the option to revise the paper after receiving feedback. All papers (including revised ones must be submitted by Dec. 12). I encourage you to consult with me as you go along in creating your project. The major project presentation is worth 15% of your seminar grade; the major project paper is worth an additional 30% -- so give it your best!.

Essay and Book Reports:  You will also be preparing 2 reports (one on a individual work of science fiction and one on a critical essay on feminist science fiction).  The works and essays will be assigned the first night.  See Essays/Book Reports for selections and guidelines.   Reports must be posted to the WebCT cite under the appropriate discussion topic on the Wednesday before the class on which it is due.  See Assignment Calendar for due dates.  The essay report is worth 10% of your seminar grade; the book report is worth 15%.

NOTE: We will not be reading Mary Shelley's Frankenstein for this class although it is a foundational text for feminist science fiction. If you have not chanced to read this book for one of your classes do it!

Required Texts:     Click here for the list of required texts for the course.

Attendance and class participation

We are a community of readers approaching these works together to understand, to celebrate and to share. It is important that you attend regularly (especially since we meet only once a week) and be fully prepared for the class discussion. If you are absent more than twice you must meet with me to determine if you can continue with the course. Participation is essential and will count as 30% of your grade.

Class decorum is also a must. Be respectful of the opinions and contributions of your classmates. I will not hesitate to ask anyone to leave who chooses not to behave in a responsible and respectful manner. Your conduct will enter into your participation grade.

Leaving early, coming late, or leaving class and returning, damage your learning and cause distractions to other students who are trying to learn. You will be marked 1/2 absence for tardiness over ten minutes or leaving before the class is over. If you are late even by a few minutes please take your seat quietly near the door in order to minimize disruption.

Note: Honors Students: If you wish to take this class as an Honors option, you must notify me right away.  We will develop together a list of additional readings and assignments.

Note:  Students with Special Needs: Please let me know as soon as possible if you will need disability-related accomodations in taking this course.  I will be happy to try to assist you in making appropriate arrangements through the Office of Specialized Services.  

Don't! Plagiarism and cheating are the theft of another's words or ideas and can result in penalties as serious as expulsion from the college.  See the Student Handbook for guidelines on plagiarism and cheating. If you have any doubts about how to present material from other sources, please come see me for help. If I find a paper which I believe has been plagiarized I will forward it to the Vice President's Office for action.

Assignment Calendar (Click here for a day to day breakdown of the course assignments)