Monday, March 19, 2012

Alien Song Lyrics And Xenophobia? Extrapolation?

Do the songs and song lyrics connect with the concept of xenophobia? If so, how? Also, feel free to comment regarding other connections with science fiction. Please include some references to songs and song lyrics in your response. Please finish this blog response during class today.


Friday, March 16, 2012

Burros? Icky? Apes? Maple Street?

How do the thematic elements(i.e.- humans' destruction, reversal of the expected, inferiority, etc...) presented in The Planet Of The Apes movie make us contemplate and wrestle with the concept of xenophobia? Does it pertain to any of the Science Fiction we have read? Use quotations from any movies and texts to support your claims. Post to this blog after for Mon., March 19th at 2:30p.m..


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Xenophobia On Maple Street?

How does The Twilight Zone Episode: The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street address the concept of xenophobia? What alarms you regarding the inhabitants actions and attitudes? How does this episode align or differ with stories we have already read? Other thoughts? Please respond by 2:30p.m. on Fri., February 25th, 2012.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Xenophobia In Science Fiction?

What is your definition of xenophobia, and how did the card activity make you think about your definition? What emotions can you assign or connect with the term and concept of xenophobia in Science Fiction? Please use the quote from your card in your response. This blog response is due during class on 2-10-12.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Extrapolation And Future Schools?

Now that you have read many of your peers' Future School Extrapolation Projects, what are you thinking?  Holistically, what are your reasonable extrapolations regarding all of the extrapolations you have read?  What potential changes excite you the most?  What potential changes fill you with angst and apprehension?  Other thoughts?
(Please complete this blog response by 2:30p.m. on Wed., January 18th)

Thursday, January 5, 2012

What Is Your Definition Of Science Fiction?

Robert A. Heinlein, author and critic:

Science fiction is "realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the scientific method" (quoted by Knight in Bishop, Nebula Awards 25, 3).

Theodore Sturgeon, author:

"'A good science-fiction story is a story about human beings, with a human problem, and a human solution, which would not have happened at all without its science content'" (as quoted in Atheling, More Issues, 12).

George Hay:

"Science fiction is what you find on the shelves in the library marked science fiction."
(Aforementioned quotes were borrowed from Dr. Agatha Taormina's web page): http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina/beyond/


Which of these quotations aligns with your definition of Science Fiction? Please respond thoughtfully using references to class discussion, prior knowledge, science fiction literature, science fiction films, etc... Type using complete sentences. This blog response is due by 2:30p.m. on Monday , January 9th, 2012.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Frankenstein Complex?

Please contemplate your final thoughts regarding the Frankenstein Complex and what the concept, read texts, and film made you think about humanity and the technology/science that we create. Please use at least one qoutation from the stories we read, and complete during class today.