Introduction Plan
Today we’re going to get acquainted with the course materials and requirements. I’m hoping to use this webpage and Canvas for all class needs–notes, exams, course policies, readings not in the books, etc.
- Go over the course syllabus
- Weekly Discussion Posts
- Humanities Education
- Current General Education Description
- 2016 Gen Ed Description–It takes a little while to open
This is for our discussion, don’t use it as a graduation checklist - Italian Renaissance–rebirth of Western Civilization
- Why Science Fiction?
- Isaac Asimov’s “A Cult of Ignorance”–page devoted to the article
- Red Hot Chili Peppers. “Californication.” {Video and Lyrics}
Weekly Discussion Posts
You’ll have 14 Weekly Discussion Posts this semester, and they’ll be due Thursdays at 11:00pm. Set a reminder now for the rest of the semester, so you don’t miss any. There will be no make ups for these posts. The first post is due next week–Thursday, August, 31st, 11:00pm. It’s an introduction of yourself and worth 5 points. The remaining 13 posts will be worth 15 points each and will usually be about the materials from that week. {There’s no post the week of Thanksgiving.}
Things We Most Likely Can’t Disagree About
We carry on our lives without truly understanding the forces at work—social, scientific, and technological. When we use mobile phones, computers, cars, etc., we don’t have to understand the science or engineering behind how they work. Of course, some of us do but only if one is in a technical discipline or just really curious and has the time to “dissect” the black boxes of various technologies.
I will do my best to explain why science fiction–stories created to entertain and provoke thinking–is as important to understanding the role of science and technology in our world as instruction on sciences and technologies. You may hear me say “speculative fiction,” and, although science fiction falls under the category of speculative fiction, they aren’t interchangeable but relevant to discuss if time permits.
Why Science Fiction?
Why not? I hope to answer this directly and indirectly over the course of this semester. This is a fun, exciting genre, but it’s worthy of serious study. Science fiction is a world literature genre, but we’ll be focusing on the American cultural aspects of that. If we haven’t already, let’s discuss why I incorporate science fiction into many of my courses–not just ones specifically on science fiction like this one: Why Science Fiction?
American Culture
I have other course pages devoted to this listed below, so check them out for more information. Don’t worry about getting this all at once; we’ll be exploring American culture all semester, and you’ll be arguing for (or against) what seem to be essential American qualities in your writing. Although it might seem that American culture in monolithic, it isn’t. However, we will often focus on the hegemonic aspects of American culture.
Places to review the think more about American culture:
Introduction to Cultural Studies
Our discussions are a beginning and not a closing of discussion; it’s a beginning (notice I didn’t write the beginning). Let’s turn our attention to what this has to do with science fiction. The approach we’re taking in this course is more social science fiction, which focuses on society. It’s more concerned with what will happen to society if cultural conditions continue as there are in an author’s time period. This type of science fiction isn’t trying to predict what technology will be like in the future. Instead, the cultural work this (sub)genre does is expose social relations and how ideology mediates beliefs, practices, values, and attitudes.
Many science fiction texts are about what shapes reality. In order for an audience to believe in a story, that audience needs to have certain assumptions that allow it to suspend disbelief (thinks aliens and wormholes) and accept a story. The major, nearly universal assumption Americans have about technology is that it will advance. I know that sounds simple, but it’s a prevailing assumptions we share. It doesn’t mean we all think technology will make our lives better, but how often have you said (or heard) “one day they’ll create a pill to cure that,” or “someday there will be a new technology to do that work”? We assume technology will advance; that is a shared cultural assumption.
Science fiction films (and novels) often are driven by action: special fx, hi-tech weapons, spaceship chases, etc. As you watch science fiction films, consider how plots reflect American values. For instance, the advanced technologies in the projected future often allow the individual to do amazing things–save the galaxy, overcome adversity, win the girl, or be efficient. Those reflect the American value of individualism. American culture, which influences laws, respects the individual and believes the individual has the will to transform him or herself. There are countless narratives in American culture about the “self-made person” and “pulling oneself up by the bootstraps” and making it on their own.
How might the following American values be reflected in science fiction films:
- Capitalism (think efficiency and, well, making money)
- Hardwork
- Equality
- Adventure and conquering the unknown
Basically, when you watch these films of shows, be thinking about what American values they reflect.
I have information about Marxism below because it’s important for cultural studies. Again, it’s for information and not to start a Marxist revolution. We will not go into every aspect I have online, but there’s more information if you’re interested. Let’s at least have workable definitions for there two theories:
Celebrating Ignorance
Let’s discuss how these texts reflect anti-intellectualism and trite, nationalistic ideology. In addition to the links below, if you have time, you can read a short piece about “American Contradiction” from a rather interesting book (opens as a PDF).
Are You Normal?
According to the US Census Bureau…
- One-third of the US population has a bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- In 2018, “13.1% of U.S. adults have an advanced degree”
- In 2018, it looks like 2.6% have doctoral degrees (same link)
Future Stuff
If we have time left, we’ll jump onto Wednesday’s (8/23) discussion. Remember, I never let students out early. Seventy-five minutes isn’t too long…and sci-fi goes by so quickly.
Make sure you get the books and get onto Canvas to post a little bit about yourself. If you didn’t get around to today’s readings, please do so before Wednesday. We’re starting off with short readings and can easily catch up if we need to.