Course Outline: Science In Fiction MONDAY L2 - Spring 2018

Science In Fiction

L2 Spring 2018

22 Jan : What Is Science In Fiction?

This week we will discuss the difference between a course in Science in Fiction and the literary genre, Science Fiction. 

Class time will consist of group work, speaking and presenting and a question and answer period.

Skills: vocabulary, speaking, presenting and collaborating

No preparation required.

29 Jan: Is This an Argument? 

Class 2 will focus on the basic principles of Argumentation and how these principles can be applied to the class, as well as the rest of your life.

Class time will consist of group work and mini-debates. 

Skills: speaking, presenting, collaborating and forming an argument.

Read the article: "why society needs science fiction" at https://scienceinfictionl2.blogspot.fr/

05 February: The Fiction of the Science

Class 3 will focus on the importance of science in fiction. We will watch an interesting video by Robert Wong who believes that "collaboration between art and science, between story and fabrication, is essential for scientific and creative innovation."

Video Link here: https://youtu.be/FvgdKfWnYCg

Class time will be used to watch and discuss the video, followed by group collaboration in which students will be asked to agree or disagree with Mr. Wong. Each group will form their position and present that position to the class. 

Skills: listening, speaking, collaborating, forming an argument and presenting. 

Preparation: watch the video prior to class. (more than once if possible)

12 February: Robot Dreams

Class 4 will explore Isaac Asimov's famous story Robot Dreams. It was also the basis for the Hollywood blockbuster iRobot, starring Will Smith. 

Skills: reading comprehension, speaking, grammar, group discussion

Preparation: read Robot Dreams. PDF available on the course blog

19 February: Science Fiction Role Playing Games

Class 5 will look at the exciting world of role-playing games. We will discuss the science in the fictional worlds presented in the top 17 RPGs of all time.

We will begin the lesson by discussing the fiction of video games. This will be followed by a video and concluded with discussion.

The last portion of the class will ask students to get into groups. Groups will take on the role of a game development company. Each group will create the basic story for a new RPG with science being a central aspect of the game. 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/cZ9ftVbNCXA

Skills: Listening comprehension, presenting, group collaboration/discussion, speaking, persuading 

Please note: the video selection is quite challenging for 2nd language learners. It is recommended that you watch the video a few times before class.

05 March: Our Media, Ourselves: Are We Headed For A Matrix?

Class 6 will explore how popular culture often expresses an anxiety about science and technology.

Preparation: read the article and write a short response. Please agree or disagree with the article and support your position with at least two (2) reasons.

12 March: Writing Workshop

Class 7 will be used as a writing workshop to help students prepare for the end of the course evaluation. Students will be asked to answer one of the following questions in writing: 

• How do individuals and groups acquire the necessary knowledge to make informed and ethical decisions about how to live with science and technology?
• What messages do SF texts convey regarding how scientific and technological advances should be used by humans?
• How do SF worlds help us see our own world in new and surprising ways?

 All responses will be presented to the class in short presentations.

Preparation: choose a subject and brainstorm ideas for your response. It is recommended to prepare a rough outline prior to class.

19 March: Public Speaking Workshop

For class 8 students will be asked to choose a work of Science in fiction and/or science fiction and present it to the class. The class will be used to help students formulate their ideas in a coherent presentation. Each student will present their story in a 3-minute presentation. The presentation should answer the following questions:

·      Author, date of publication, and media type (film, short story, novel, video game, etc...

·      Is it soft or hard science fiction?

·      How is science portrayed in the story?

·      Would you recommend this story to others and why?

Preparation: Works of fiction need to be prepared prior to class, as class time will be used for organising ideas and presenting.

26 March: To Be Determined

02 April: please note that there is no class on this day and a make-up day will be decided.

09 April: Test

23 April: Test