ENGL 1102
Science Fiction in Composition
Spring 2017
Instructors: Dr. Joshua Hussey
Email: joshua.hussey@lmc.gatech.edu
Office: Skiles 315
Office Hours: MW 8-9am & 12-1pm, or by appointment
Class Meetings
A3 9:05 MWF Clough 125
J3 10:05 MWF Clough 127
HP2 11:05 MWF Clough 278
Class Description
This course asks students to develop communication strategies through the analysis of fictional texts (novels, short stories) set in the science fiction genre. In addition to traditional literary texts, we will analyze film and interact with game environments, where the content directs us toward science fiction. We will look at the structure and subjects (form and content) of these texts in order to understand the elements by which they are designed.
The purpose of this course is to gain sophisticated abilities in multimodal (WOVEN) communication that build off of ENGL 1101. Assignments will encourage the development of communication skills in academic research and argumentation. While this class covers specific content, the emphasis of the course remains on techniques of composition and rhetorical/argumentative strategies. All of our discussions and assignments will engage with Georgia Tech’s multimodal WOVEN communication (Written, Oral, Visual, Electronic, and Nonverbal), which taken together in synergy, will better enable us to describe the material and digital worlds in which we exist.
Required Materials
Reading:
WOVENText (Bedford/St. Martin’s)
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Philip K. Dick, 1968.
Lazarus, Vol.1, Greg Rucka. Image Comics, 2013.
The Warren, Brian Evenson, 2016.
Other readings available in T-Square Resources
Games:
Kentucky Route Zero. Available on GOG or Steam.
Gemini Rue. Available on GOG or Steam.
The Dig.Retro game. Available on GOG or Steam.
Papers, Please. Available on GOG or Steam.
Equipment:
Personal Computer with enough performance to complete graphic design, to run a variety of games, and desktop publishing software
Software:
Blog software (WordPress through blogs.iac.gatech.edu)
Twine (twinery.org): Hypertext narrative building software
Grade Summary
1. Essay 1: 10% [100 points]
2. Twine Narrative: 15% [150 points]
3. Sci-Fi Aesthetics Project: 25% [250 points]
4. Labs: 12% [120 points]
5. Final Portfolio: 15% [150 points]
6. Blog: 10% [100 points]
7. Participation (Discussion, Reading, OH): 5% [50 points]
8. Quizzes: 5% [50 points]
9. Common Week Assignment: 3% [30 points]
Final Grade Distribution (by points)
A 895-1000
B 795-894
C 695-794
D 595-694
F 0-594
Common Policies for ENGL 1102
Georgia Tech’s Writing and Communication Program has common, program-wide policies. You can access these Common Writing and Communication Program policies here. You are required to acknowledge that you have read, understood, and intend to comply with these policies.
WOVEN Communication
This course is designed to increase your abilities and competencies in a variety of communicative modes. Understanding how to write a proper essay is only one such mode of communication. The WOVEN acronym highlights the written, oral, visual, electronic, and nonverbal forms of communication modalities that, as a student at Georgia Tech, you will explore in order to better understand the material world in which you interact as well as a better understanding of how to describe that material world. In all modalities you use—written, oral, visual, electronic, or nonverbal—consider rhetorical factors such as purpose, context, audience, argument, and effective design. In practice, the WOVEN modes work synergistically, not separately.
Written communication. Writing is important, plain and simple. Think about the style and concentration it takes to author the texts we are reading this semester, and attempt to apply a similar effort to your own work;
Oral communication. Speaking clearly takes a large amount of ability in expressing ideas with specific language. It is a kind of translation, and crucial in representing mental symbols as well as cultivating generative conversations with your colleagues;
Visual communication. Making things look good should be a point of pride for you. You have worked your hardest establishing the representation of your ideas. Again, this is a multi-layered translation, from the images in your mind to those we encounter on the page and screen. Additionally, professionalism matters and it’s always useful to please your audience with compelling imagery;
Electronic communication. Can’t avoid this in our technology worshipping contemporary culture. Think about the possibilities for hypertext and the nodes of information with which you might assemble a complicated project;
Nonverbal communication. All behavior is adjustment to a particular context. Work on your body’s silent participation in communication: conduct yourself with composed thought and a professional demeanor. Make eye contact and other important unspoken gestures during class discussions.
Technology
We will use T-Square for this course. Assignment submission, bookkeeping, announcements, and the link to this syllabus are available on T-Square;
Digital Activities. The projects in this course are digital heavy and require skill working with a variety of media. While the instructors are available for tech support and troubleshooting, students are ultimately responsible for learning how to use the necessary technology. Georgia Tech has a wealth of resources for this purpose. For assistance with technology: Multimedia Studio, Communication Center, Lynda.com (a campus-wide subscription);
In-class use of technology:
—Bring your laptops to every class. You may take notes on your laptop, but no web browsing or emailing is allowed (unless specified by the instructor)
—Silence your mobile phone: no talking, texting, or social media use during class
Late Assignments
Late work is not accepted in this course.
Revisions of Assignments
One major revision is accepted, but must be completed in accordance with the course’s Paper Revision Policy. Make sure to read the policy carefully and note all due dates before completing a revision.
Appointments for Individual and Collaborative Conferences
Please plan to visit our office hours at least once this semester for an individual conference. Drop-ins are welcome, but appointments made through email take priority.
Attendance
This class participates in the WCP’s attendance policies. Attendance is required and taken daily.
Unit Assignments
Essay
due as marked on the Course Calendar. Respond to the readings we have covered for this short essay, 1000-1200 words. Print Essay 1: work on output design and conventions. Critically evaluate the content, form, and procedural rhetoric of some of the texts we have discussed. You must include some form of significant research (1-2 academic or noteworthy sources) that ties in with your claims, your purpose, and your thesis. You should include other modalities, such as visual, when applicable. Use a citation style such as MLA, APA, or Chicago, and format with precision.
Weblog project
A semester-long blog project.
On the whole, consider your weblog as a drafting place for your ideas and interests. At intervals noted on the Course Calendar, submit posts of 500 words that engage a text we are working on, or have recently considered. Entry purposes are undefined, meaning that you should pursue your own critical inquiry. All posts must have one secondary source in addition to their primary source. You should include images and cite those as well. Make your electronic space a lovely space to browse, and your notions worth ruminating upon.
Create your site through: blogs.iac.gatech.edu (“My Sites”>>”+Add a Site”)
Science Fiction Archives
In Groups of 3, investigate the aesthetics of science fiction throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Use the Science Fiction archives to examine older materials (track a sci-fi journal, for example). Play games in the retroTECH lab. Create a poster that reflects your research on some interesting aesthetic or structural aspects of the genre over time. Write a group report of 6-8 pages (approximately 2-3 pages/person). Discuss your groups methods, experiences, outcomes and try to come up with a strong argument for an holistic interpretation of the archival material.
Twine narrative
In Groups of 3, using TWINE, construct a compelling digital hypertext, using the features of the course’s genre studies as calibrating, diegetic tools. This means, use the features, folklores, myths of the genre to propagate your ideas: use them as broad, sculptural images that animate in pieces, and we, the player construct in our imaginations. Use relevant digital media: images, film, and audio have the potential to increase the flavors of your game world. Create your own media when possible. Code a little and produce some causality (if statements, variables, etc), in order to flex the game’s linearity. Seems best using Sugarcube on Twine 2.
Spring 2017
Calendar
Unit 1: Rhetoric in an Age of Technology and Witchcraft
Week 1 [January 9 – 13]
M [1/9]
Intro — Common Week
Common Week Assignment (T-Square)
Please review Welcome Video (Instructor), in T-Square Resources
W [1/11]
“Critical Concept Three: Communication Is Multimodal” in WOVENText Chapter 2 (pp. 33-42)
Classwork on WOVEN communication:
Consider the affordances certain modalities provide (W-O-V-E-N). With a partner, discuss a recent project you developed. Discuss the characteristics of the mode — or modes — you worked in, and why those features were particularly suitable for your project.
Submission:
https://goo.gl/forms/imSzEKzcsNkbSTD63
F [1/13]
Class work for Common First Week Assignment:
Write script for video with a partner
Week 2 [January 16 – 20]
M [1/16]
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
No class; please engage in meaningful service work and communicate through charity
W [1/18]
Nnedi Okorafor, “Hello, Moto” (Kindle)
F [1/20]
N.K. Jemisin, “Non-Zero Probabilities.” Clarkesworld, 2009.
Syllabus forms due
Common First Week Assignment due (11:55 PM)
Week 3 [January 23 – 27]
M [1/23]
In class reflection on Common Week Video
Octavia Butler, “Speech Sounds”
W [1/25]
Jorge Luis Borges, “The Library of Babel”
Also: libraryofbabel.info/
F [1/27]
Library Orientation with Karen Viars (in class)
Bring laptops to class to setup blogs
Week 4 [January 30 – February 3]
M [1/30]
Brian Evenson, The Warren, 1-45
W [2/1]
Evenson, 46-78
WovenText, Chapter 4 “Understanding Genres”
F [2/3]
Evenson, 79-93
WovenText, Chapter 13 “Narrative Genres”
Blog Post 1 Due: submit URL to T-Square by 11:55pm
Week 5 [Feburary 6 – 10]
M [2/6]
Research and composition
W [2/8]
Research and composition
Peer Review
F [2/10]
Essay 1 Due
Unit 2: Artificial Enlightenment & How Reason Got There
Week 6 [February 13 – 17]
M [2/13]
Videogames
Kentucky Route Zero, Papers, Please, Gemini Rue, or The Dig
Media Day
No Class meeting
Use class time (1 hour) to play game
W [2/15]
Videogames
Kentucky Route Zero, Papers, Please, Gemini Rue, or The Dig
F [2/17]
Videogames
Theory reading: Janet Murray, “Agency” in Hamlet on the Holodeck (T-Square Resources)
Organize into Groups for Unit 2 project
Complete Google Form with Group Name: https://goo.gl/forms/tKihykajnSmcOUID2
Week 7 [February 20 – 24]
M [2/20]
Media Day
X Minus One (retro audio)
Listen to: “Mars is Heaven” (ep. 003; 55-05-08) and one other of your choice
W [2/22]
Sci-Fi Archives/retroTECH lab (Library)
Meet in Neely Room
Bring Laptops
F [2/24]
X Minus One (retro audio)
Twine (twinery.org)
Videogames and Audio Labs due (electronic submission)
Week 8 [February 27 – March 3]
M [2/27]
PKD, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, 1-96 (up to Chapter 9)
W [3/1]
PKD, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, 97-128 (to Chapter 12)
F [3/3]
PKD, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, 129-153 (to Chapter 14)
Twine work
Week 9 [March 6-10]
M [3/6]
PKD, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, 153-244 (to end)
Quiz
W [3/8]
Sci-Fi Archives/retroTECH lab (Library)
Blog Post 2 Due (on PKD reading)
F [3/10]
Twine workshop
Week 10 [March 13 – 17]
M [3/13]
Twine workshop
W [3/15]
Twine Peer Review
Twine narrative draft due for Peer Review
F [3/17]
No class meeting
Twine narrative due final
Unit 3: With Whom I Traveled and Why
Week 11 [March 20 – 24]
Spring Break — No Class
Watch Sci-Fi film over break
Week 12 [March 27 – 31]
M [3/27]
Greg Rucka, Lazarus, Volume 1 [available in print or digital]
Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics, Chapter Two (Here is a link)
W [3/29]
Rucka
McCloud
Labs (in class)
Blog Post 3 due:
Compose a short essay discussing how you constructed your Twine narrative. Consider your narrative purpose and the methods by which you went about building your game. Include screenshots from your narrative. Discuss features of your game such as design aesthetics and code. Use Twine documentation for your external source, or alternatively, articles on game design.
F [3/31]
Labs
Aesthetics Project Assignment Sheet discussion
Group Assignments
Week 13 [April 3 – 7]
M [4/3]
Sci-Fi Archives (in Library)
Sci-Fi Aesthetics project
Comics and Film labs due
W [4/5]
Project work (in class)
F [4/7]
Project work (in class)
Literature Reviews, Abstracts, Thesis statements, and Research sources
Week 14 [April 10 – 14]
Sci-Fi Aesthetics project
Instructor available for individual/group meetings
Week 15 [April 17 – 21]
M [4/17]
Project work (in class)
Peer Review
Drafts of Poster and Report
W [4/19]
Aesthetics presentations
F [4/21]
Aesthetics presentations, overflow (if needed)
Discuss Final Portfolios
SF Aesthetics Projects due (submit Report and Poster)
Blog Post 4 Due (reflection on aesthetics project: captured and condensed from submitted report)
Final Blog Projects due
Week 16 [April 24 – 28]
M [4/24]
Final Instructional Day
Course Review
Optional revisions due
W [4/26]
Reading Day
Portfolios due according to the exam schedule:
A3 9:05 MWF
[Mon, May 1, 11:30 – 2:20]
J3 10:05 MWF
[Wed, May 3, 11:30 – 2:20]
HP2 11:05 MWF
[Fri, April 28, 8:00 – 10:50]
