Myth and Gender in Speculative Fiction

Instructor: Brian W. Gastle	Office: Memorial 319	ENGL 110.085
E-Mail: bgastle@Udel.edu	Phone: x6597	Class Time: MWF 12:20-1:10
http://odin.english.udel.edu/bgastle/index.html	Fax: X1586	Office Hours: MW 3:30-4:30

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This class will be devoted to the relationships between classical and modern mythologies and modern speculative fictions (particularly science fiction and fantasy) with special attention to the ways in which issues of gender affect these relationships.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Barthes, Mythologies	LeGuin, Wizard of Earthsea
Grimm, Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales	Tolkien, The Hobbit
LeGuin, Dancing at the Edge of the World (?)	--- The Tolkien Reader
--- Tehanu	Ovid. Metamorphoses
--- The Tombs of Atuan	Photocopy Package on Reserve

Reserve Book List

Barthes, Roland. Mythologies	Schlobin, Roger C. ed. Aesthetics of Fantasy Literature & Art
Campbell, Joseph. Hero with a Thousand Faces	Sexton, Ann. Transformations
LeGuin, Ursula. Language of the Night: Essays on Fantasy and Science Fiction	Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien Reader

REQUIREMENTS

Four 1-Page Response Papers	10%		Third Essay (@ 6-8 pgs)	20%
First Essay (@ 4-6 pgs)	10%		1 Research Project (@ 7-12 pgs)	30%
Second Essay (@ 5-7 pgs)	15%		Discussion, Quizzes, Group Editing, etc.	15%

You will have ample opportunity to edit and revise drafts of your papers through both peer editing sessions and individual consultation with me. Therefore, unless there are extenuating circumstances of epic proportions, I will not accept rewrites of previously graded papers.

In order to pass the class you must turn in all assignments. Note the logic of that phrase; turning in all the assignments does not guarantee a passing grade, but you will most certainly not pass if you fail to turn in an assignment.

All assignments are due at the beginning of each due-date class. I reserve the right to penalize late papers, usually reducing the grade 2/3 per day late. Please do not sacrifice class time for last minute revisions.

All assignments must be typed or word-processed.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

The University's policy regarding academic dishonesty is outlined in the Student Handbook; read it. I will cover proper documentation format in class, but you are ultimately responsible for your own work. This is one topic about which I feel very strongly. I will prosecute a plagiarist to the fullest and most extreme extent of University policy, which may ultimately include:

* F for the class

* irrevocable mark on records

* expulsion

* my general displeasure

When you use a source's exact words (quotation) or a paraphrase or a summary which gives facts, figures, or ideas from the source in your own words, you must document that source within the text of your paper to show what source you have used.

SCHEDULE

Wed	9/3	Introduction
Fri	9/5	Transformation and Revision of Narrative Read "The Little Mermaid" and watch the Disney Version
Mon	9/8	Defining The Heroic and the Mythic Read: Campbell "The Monomyth"
Wed	9/10	Gender and the Heroic Read: LeGuin "Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction"
Fri	9/12	Campbell & LeGuin and the Craft of the Essay Read: Review Campbell and LeGuin
Mon	9/15	Classical Mythology and the Etiological Narrative Read: Ovid Metamorphoses Book 1 & from Book 3 (Phaeton)
Wed	9/17	Close Reading Strategies Read: Metamorphoses Book 3 & from Book 4 (Pyramus/Thisbe; Mars/Venus) DUE: Response Paper #1 by this date
Fri	9/19	Textual Support, Evidence, and Thesis Development Read: Metamorphoses from Book 6 (Philomela) & Book 10
Mon	9/22	Group Edit Paper #1
Wed	9/24	Conferences Paper #1
Fri	9/26	Conferences Paper #1
Mon	9/29	From Myth to Folklore (or Gender and Genre) Read: Grimm's The Frog King; Rapunzel; The White Snake; Little Red Cap DUE: Paper #1
Wed	10/1	Fairy Tales and Us Read: Clever Hans; Rumpelstiltskin; Golden Goose; Giant & the Tailor
Fri	10/3	Fairy Tales and the Media Cinderella; Little Snow White; Snow White and Rose Red
Mon	10/6	Fairy Tales and the Profession Read: Campbell "Folklorist Commentary" in Grimm's
Wed	10/8	The Theory of Færie Read: Tolkien "Tree and Leaf" Due: Second Response Paper (by this date)
Fri	10/10	Theory vs Practice Read: Tolkien "Leaf by Niggle"
Mon	10/13	Group Edit paper #2
Wed	10/15	Conferences Paper #2
Fri	10/17	Conferences Paper #2
Mon	10/20	Fall Break Day
Wed	10/22	Myth and/as Language Read: Barthes "Myth Today"
Fri	10/24	Modern Mythologies Read: review "Myth Today" and selections from Mythologies Due: Paper #2
Mon	10/27	Modern Myth and Gendered Narratives Read: LeGuin "Myth and Archetype in Science Fiction"
Wed	10/29	Speculative Fiction and Identity Read: have seen the director's cut of Blade Runner
Fri	10/31	Textual Support, Evidence, and Thesis Development II Read: review Blade Runner (if possible, see general US release version)
Mon	11/3	Research Paper Discussion
Wed	11/5	Fantasy and the Heroic Ideal Read: LeGuin Wizard of Earthsea and Tombs of Atuan
Fri	11/7	"Strike a Pose" (Stereotypes -- Cliche or Self Conscious?) Read: LeGuin Wizard of Earthsea and Tombs of Atuan DUE: Response Paper #3 (by this date)
Mon	11/10	Research Paper Conferences
Wed	11/12	Research Paper Conferences
Fri	11/14	Group Edit Paper #3
Mon	11/17	Workaday as Heroic Read: The Hobbit
Wed	11/19	Myth, Fairy Tale, or Other? Read: review The Hobbit
Fri	11/21	The Theory of Færie II Read: Manlove "On the Nature of Fantasy"
Mon	11/24	Discussion of Research Problems Due: Paper #3
Wed	11/26	Thanksgiving Recess
Fri	11/28	Thanksgiving Recess
Mon	12/1	Group Edit Research Paper
Wed	12/3	Revision and the dreaded "F" word Read: LeGuin Tehanu
Fri	12/5	Is this a Carrier Bag? Read: review Tehanu
Mon	12/8	Movie Discussion Research Paper Due
Wed	12/10	Last Day Discussion