Dr. Debra Bruch Associate Professor of Theatre Office: 209E Walker Office Phone: 487-3281

UN1001: PERSPECTIVES

Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION: (Overall Perspectives:)  "Writing-intensive course which engages students in college level inquiry. Students develop fundamental intellectual habits, understand how to integrate various perspectives on knowledge, and begin to learn how to meet the changing needs of a global, technological, diverse, and environmentally sensitive society."  (This Section:) "An exploration of good and evil in science fiction and fantasy not only allows us to compare and contrast with modern beliefs, but also helps us enter the realm of good and evil on a mythological level. Science fiction and fantasy open avenues to explore the imagination, and, by unbinding the common structures for expression, we can explore good and evil in depth."

COURSE DESIGN:  This course is a first semester, first year course that is required as part of a university-wide array of courses for all students.  There is commonly a mix of students with various backgrounds of writing approaches.  College-level inquiry means that a person engages in disciplined thinking.  This course aims to help students learn college-level inquiry by exploring good and evil in science fiction and fantasy.  A significant portion of this class concentrates on how to explore your own ideas to gain main points without imposing your own value and/or belief systems onto the readings and videos, how to develop your ideas, and how to evidence your ideas.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES:  Students will be able to critically analyze fictive works in such a way that the pattern of thinking and writing applies to other, various disciplines and can carry throughout their university life.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:  This course will be taught using a variety of active learning techniques.  Students need to (1)  Read the novels by the reading due dates given in the syllabus.  (2)  Submit a written reflection via e-mail answering the questions by the due dates given in the syllabus.  (3) Engage in discussion and activities during the class period.  (4) Engage in in-class writing answering the question given in the syllabus. (5) Offer their own views of good and evil in light of the readings and videos by offering and explaining their own creative work.

MANDATORY TEXTS:  Wells, The Time Machine;  Asimov, Caves of Steel; Huxley, Brave New World; Bradbury, Martian Chronicles

GRADE DETERMINATION:  (1) Attendance at class meetings, (2) Class participation, (3) Submission of reflection e-mails of adequate quality, (4) In-class writing of adequate quality, and (5) Thoughtful submission of a creative work and presentation of the students' own perspectives of good and evil based on class learning.

OFFICE HOURS:  My office hours are 11:00 a.m. to noon, MWF.  I am available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by appointment, except when I am in class or in a meeting.  Please email me at dlbruch@mtu.edu if you need an appointment so that I can reserve sufficient time for you.  Also, I will be happy to discuss any questions or concerns that you have after class.  If you have concerns or questions, don't hesitate to ask.  The only dumb question is one that goes unasked.

Download Perspectives Guide Sheet -- Blank

Download Perspectives Guide Sheet -- Guide

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GRADING:

Class Attendance and Participation ---------------------- 20 points possible

To learn effectively, you must attend class.  Attendance begins from the time I take roll and ends at the end of the class period.  Excused absences require documentation.  Every student is expected to participate in class discussions and activities. 

Reflection E-mail ---------------------- 30 points possible

As indicated in the syllabus, students will be required to submit a written reflection based on the assigned readings and/or viewing of videos.  The reflections should be concise (5 – 7 paragraphs) and must answer the question given in the syllabus.  I strongly encourage you to offer your own ideas, backed with evidence from the book or video.  Reflections must be submitted no later than two hours prior to the beginning of class on the day that they are due.  Please submit reflections by including them in an email text (no attachments please) and send them to dlbruch@mtu.edu.  No late submission of these reflections will be accepted.  Two points possible for each reflection e-mail.

In-Class Writing ---------------------- 30 points possible

Each student will engage in in-class writing periodically during the semester.  Make sure you answer the question given in the syllabus. (You will receive 0 points if you do not address the question on the syllabus.)  You are required to fill out and turn in a Perspectives Sheet, but you may not use the book or other notes of any kind.  The Perspectives Sheet must be filled out completely and not exceed the one page of the form.  (You will receive up to a minus 4 points if you do not have a Perspectives Sheet or abide by these boundaries.  Other than this, the Perspectives Sheet does not affect your grade.)  Please turn in your Perspectives Sheet as well as your essay at the end of the class period.  Ten points possible each essay

Individual Presentation ---------------------- 20 points possible

This presentation will be of your creative work with an explanation about what you think is good and evil, referencing the books and videos.  Each student will have no less than 7 minutes and no more than 10 minutes to offer his or her own point of view about good and evil.  However, that presentation must be presented in a creative form:  a drawing, painting, photos, web page, collage, poem, short story, original music or anything else the student created himself or herself.  After presenting the creative work (not to exceed 3 minutes), the student must explain the connection the creative work has to the reading and movies presented during class.  All texts and movies must be used as examples for the student's point of view.  Points will be taken for duplicating major ideas and subjects revealed during class and/or taken from the in-class writing questions or the reflection questions except the question, "What do you think is good and evil…?"  I will be looking for a further understanding of what you think is good and evil, based on the reading and/or movies.

Individual Presentation Evaluation

 

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GRADING: