Louisa Mackenzie (louisam@u.washington.edu)

horaires du cours:          lundi, mercredi de 13h30 à 15h20

salle de classe:              THO 234

 

General Information

French 499B: La science-fiction française

 

 

Books to buy:

 

  • Course Reader, available at Professional Copy, on 15th Ave NE and 42nd
  • René Barjavel, Ravage (Paris: Gallimard, Folio Plus, 1972. ISBN : 2070362388)

·        Amin Maalouf, Le premier siècle après Béatrice. (Paris: Grasset, 1992. ISBN : 2253097829)

  • Pierre Boulle, La planète des singes (Paris: Pocket Fantastique, 2001. ISBN : 2266118323)
  • Bernard Werber, "L'arbre des possibles" (Paris: Albin Michel, 2002. ISBN : 222613459X)

 

If you buy your books somewhere other than the U bookstore, for example online, it is important to get the same editions (check the ISBN number). This ensures we are on the same page in class discussions.

 

Assignments and percentage of final grade:

 

  1. Keeping up with the reading : 2 short quizzes                             15 %
  2. Regular presence and engagement with material                         15%
  3. Two discussion questions                                                                      5 %
  4. Short research project, 2-3 pages                                                         20 %
  5. Abstract / outline  for final paper                                                           5 %
  6. Final paper, 8-10 pages, on topic of your choice                                   40 %

 

1. Quizzes, Keeping up the reading:

 

There will be two very short quizzes on the reading material (26 October and 3 November)– mostly questions with single-sentence answers, or even single words, just to encourage you to keep up to date with the reading.

 

 

2. Regular presence and engagement:

 

A short e-mail or phone call is appreciated if you know that you will be absent from class.

Please come prepared to discuss, or, if you are reluctant to speak in class, to listen. If you are interested in talking about the material but don’t like talking in class, please use e-mail to contact me, or come to office hours.

 

3. Discussion questions:

 

You will sign up to bring discussion questions to two class periods. These will be questions that you think will generate discussion in class: they can be general, for example, what is the relationship of this story to actual science? or particular, for example, why does this author use this image?

 

4. Research project:

 

Due by Monday November 2nd. Please research one aspect of the scientific background to any of the texts studied so far: Jules Verne, René Barjavel, or Pierre Boulle. For example: what was the state of marine biology when Verne wrote Vingt mille lieux sous les mers? What might have prompted Barjavel’s apocalyptic vision of the destructive power of technology? etc. 2 pages double-spaced.

 

5. Abstract / outline for final paper:

 

In order to encourage you to start thinking early about final papers, and so that you can benefit from feedback from the class and professor, please bring an outline of an idea for a final paper to the last class meeting on Wednesday December 9th. You will present your idea to a group of other students for a minute or so, and hand in the outline to the professor at the end, who will then read them and e-mail you with feedback and ideas.

 

6. Final paper:

 

Due on December 16th by 5 pm. 8-10 pages, on a personally-decided topic (professor will provide suggestion topics for those who would like them). The paper should show a substantial grasp of, and engagement with, class material, although it may include material you have found through independent research. You can do an in-depth analysis of one text, a comparison of several texts, a study of a particular theme in one or more texts, or a research paper that includes historical contexts, in particular the context of the history of science. Or you might want to do something more theoretical, on the definition of science-fiction, the relationship between science and literary culture, science as modern mythology, etc. Plenty of help and suggestions will be available by e-mail or in office hours – don’t hesitate to ask.