Course Syllabus

Literature of Science Fiction

Mr. Eric Ginsberg

ginsberg@helixcharter.net

619-644-1940

Room 80

SF.jpg

Course Description:

This course will begin with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, move through the evolution of the 19th century Science Fiction (Poe, Verne, Wells), and explore the rise of modern Science Fiction to its acceptance as a popular genre, 1950’s to the present. This course will address the popularity, values, and criticisms of this literary and film genre and its impact on modern culture.

This course is designed for students who plan to attend a college or university and meets all of Helix Charter High School’s English 7/8C courses standards. This course will instruct students in Writing Standards (Argumentative Essay, Rhetorical Analysis Essay, Senior Project Proposal, Senior Research Paper, and a Resume), Timed Writing Standards (6-10 Timed Writings), Reading Standards (novels and selected essays), and Speech Standards (1 speech [5-7 minutes] and 1 speech [8-10 minutes]). Students will be encouraged to select senior research paper topics that are technologically or science based, although this will not be mandatory.

***

Formal Essays (40%):

  • Students must submit and pass each of the formal writing competencies in order to pass the course.
  • Students must upload all formal competencies to Turnitin.com by the due date.
  • Because a formal essay is written using a step-by-step process over several class meetings and includes multiple peer, teacher, and self-edits, students are expected to turn in a final draft on the due date.
  • Students must submit all drafts in the writing process of essays on the assigned due dates.
  • Students who do not submit a preliminary draft or who submit the final draft late forfeit the opportunity to revise the paper for a higher grade.
  • Students may revise a graded paper once for a higher grade. In order to submit the paper for a higher grade, the student must fulfill all components of the revision process.

 Timed Writings (30%):

  • Students must earn their required number of “4s” to pass the course.
  • Students must attend tutorial/writing lab to take additional timed writings until they earn the required number of “4s” to meet the course competency.
  • The score for a passing timed writing taken in Tutorial/Writing Lab will replace the original timed writing score.
  • Timed writings missed due to an absence must be made up before or during the following Wednesday Tutorial.

 Speeches (10%):

  • Students must earn 70% or better on both formal speeches.
  • Students must present on their assigned speech dates.
  • Speeches may not be delivered again for a higher grade. If a student fails a speech, or does not deliver the speech on the assigned date, he/she must deliver the speech in Tutorial, earning a maximum of 70% for the revised speech.

 Homework/Classwork (20%):

  • Homework is assigned daily to build the literacy skills necessary for students to complete competencies and to prepare them for the learning activities the next day.
  • Timely completion of the homework is essential to your success in the class.

 Academic Support:

As a Helix Charter High School student, you have access to many choices for academic support and computer access, including:

  • Writing Lab – open every day from 3pm to 5pm, room 230 (tutoring and free printing)
  • English Tutorial in Room 80 – begins at 8:55 a.m. every Monday
      • Required for students who are not passing
  • Seeing Mr. Ginsberg after school and/or at lunch. Computers = free printing

Essays, Research Papers/Projects, and Speech Submission Policies:

Essays, research papers, and speeches are expected to be turned in completed on the due date. Not turning in an essay, or the research paper on a due date, or missing an assigned speech date, will do immense harm to your grade for the class! Speeches will be given over several days and you will know in advance the specific time/day you will be expected to present.

Submitting to Canvas/Turnitin.com as Evaluation of Potential Plagiarism:

Your formal writings uploaded to Canvas will be evaluated by turnitin.com for originality (plagiarism).

Timed Writings:

If you have an excused absence for a timed writing, it must be made up by the next tutorial or arranged to be made up immediately.

Revision Policy:

For each of the formal essays, you will be required to submit preliminary drafts. If you submitted the mandatory preliminary draft, you may revise your essay once for full credit regardless of the score received (e.g. you have earned a 70%, but would like to revise to earn an 80%), but only after having a conference with me and submitting the revised essay with a revision form. In other words, revisions must be completed using the Helix revision protocol arranged in class.

Late Homework:

You are expected to submit homework assignments on time, but late homework will be accepted for 70% credit for up to 2 weeks after the due date. 

***

Course Objectives:

  • Students will develop a “working” definition for Science Fiction
  • Students will trace the evolution of Science Fiction literature and film from its origins
  • Students will read various selections of Science Fiction literature
  • Students will view various selections of Science Fiction films
  • Students will read various technology and science based informational texts
  • Students will read various expository essays on Science Fiction based topic
  • Students will analyze Science Fiction literature and film using reading strategies and key aspects of textual analysis
  • Students will engage in discussion and composition of Science Fiction literature and film
  • Students will examine the style and literary techniques of major Science Fiction authors
  • Students will examine race and gender portrayals in Science Fiction literature and film
  • Student will evaluate Science Fiction literature and film using the “Scientific Method”

 Inside of Class:

  • Read a variety of texts carefully and critically with an emphasis on Science Fiction
  • Communicate effectively using your writing and speaking skills
  • Work both individually and collaboratively to meet assignment goals
  • Practice and improve your vocabulary
  • Become a stronger reader, writer, listener, speaker and critical thinker
  • Prepare for college level reading and writing (yes, this may be challenging!)

 Outside of Class:

  • Homework will be assigned daily, including most weekends
  • Meaningless homework will not be given. All of your homework will challenge you and strengthen your critical thinking and language skills

Grading Scale:

This class is non-competitive. In fact, it is possible for everyone to earn an A! Your grade for the class will be calculated as follows: 40% formal essays, 30% timed writings, 10% speeches and 20% homework/classwork assignments. Letter grades are awarded according to the following scale:

Letter Grade

Percentage

A

B

C

F

100-90%

89-80%

79-70%

69% and below

 

Students and parents have consistent access to grades via the Helix website.

Writing Program:

All students at Helix participate in a four-year extensive writing program. They are expected to write to a minimum level of competency at each grade level. Essays are scored on a standard rubric. Any essay not meeting the minimum level must be revised and resubmitted until passing.

 

Academic Honesty

Frankly stated, I expect you to behave honorably. I expect you to tell the truth, always (lies of omission are still lies) and that you will not cheat, ever. That means that all work you turn in will be your own. Penalties for plagiarism are severe. Cheating, copying, and taking another’s completed assignment and calling it your own are all forms of academic dishonesty.

The Helix English Department follows the Helix Charter High School Academic Honesty Policy. The following policy is copied directly from the Student Handbook:

Academic Honesty Expectations:

Students are expected to practice responsible and honest behavior, to complete assigned work to the best of their ability, to turn assignments in on time and be contributing members of each class.

Acts of academic dishonesty, which will not be tolerated at Helix Charter High School are listed below:

  • Cheating on tests.
  • Fabrication (any intentional falsification or invention of date, citation, or other authority in an academic                  exercise.)
  • Unauthorized collaboration.
  • Plagiarism (stealing and passing off as one’s own the words or ideas of another).
  • Theft or alteration of materials.

Consequences:

First Offense:  The student will lose all credit for the assignment or test with no make-up permitted.  If the assignment or test is a standard in the course, the standard must still be completed to the appropriate performance level.  The student will be referred to the Grade Level Principal and the parent/guardian will be contacted.  Violation may result in detention, BMA, loss of privileges, community service hours, or suspension.  Additionally, the student may be excluded from receiving scholarships/awards and/or letters of recommendation from school personnel.

Second Offense:  The second offense of academic dishonesty in any class in any year may result in the student being referred to the Grade Level Principal for removal from the class with a “withdrawal/failure” grade and a loss of credit.  The parent / guardian will be notified.  Violation may result in detention, BMA, loss of privileges, community service hours, or suspension. (23)

Please recognize that violating the academic honesty policy on a formal paper usually results in the student failing the class. Losing all credit for a major assignment like an essay or a research paper makes it practically impossible to pass the class. It is not worth the risk.

Attending Class

I expect you to be here every day. You are part of the class and your presence will be missed. Please be on time to class. If you are late, you will be sent you to lockout to get a pass. This class will move very quickly. Please do not miss out on anything. Per school policy, you may miss no more than 5 days per quarter or you may not receive class credit. If you miss more than 5 days, you will need to go to attendance make-up sessions. 

Communication:

It is best to communicate an absence – via email or telephone - in order to make up work in a timely manner. Always speak with me if you feel that you are falling behind, struggling or losing motivation. Be proactive!

Required Materials

You are required to have a single 1” to 1 ½” three-ring binder. The 1 ½” is the best choice! This binder aids in keeping you organized. In addition to the binder, you will need to have the following material (tools).

•  Plenty of lined paper

•  Composition Book

•  Blue or black ink pens and pencils

•  Highlighters (at least 3 colors)

Course Summary:

Date Details Due