LITR 4632: Literature of the Future

Copy of Midterm 2007

 (Updated 13 June. Use this webpage copy rather than the assignment in syllabus.)

Midterm Exam

Basic information:

Relative weight: 30-40% of final grade

Format: In-class or email; open-book and open-notebook

Date: Monday, 18 June, during or around regular class schedule.

Time: The exam should take at least two hours to complete, but you may use the entire class period (2 hours and 59 minutes). In-class students may begin writing at 9am and must turn the midterm in by 11:59. All students may use the copy of the midterm posted on our course webpage's "Model Assignments."

Email students may take the midterm during any 3-hour time period after our class on Thursday 14 June. Keep a log of when you start and stop. Pauses or interruptions are okay.

Prep time and writing time: Spend only about 3 hours writing the exam you will submit, but spend as much time preparing as you like (or can find). Preparations could include the usual review of notes and texts, but you are also permitted to outline and practice drafting. Outlines and previous drafts count as notes, which you may consult as you write your midterm for submission.

In-class materials: Write in blue or black ink in a bluebook or on handy paper. Fronts and backs, single-spacing acceptable.

Email: email a copy of your answers to instructor at whitec@uhcl.edu.

  •        The mistake students are most likely to make is to send it to “white” rather than “whitec”; if you send it to “white,” it goes to another teacher.

  •         Attach appropriate word processing file(s) to an email for whitec@uhcl.edu.

  •         Copy the contents of your word processing file, then paste them into an email message to me at whitec@uhcl.edu

Deadline and acknowledgement: If you take the exam by email, you must email it to the instructor by 1pm on Monday 18 June.

Email acknowledgement: Instructor will usually acknowledge receipt of your midterm within a few hours (unless you send it in at an odd time).

Email problems? In a class this size, a problem or two with email is normal. I'm used to dealing with such problems, so don't panic. Just keep trying and communicating and we'll work things out.

Length: Given different people's styles, length is hard to estimate, but generally the best exams have more writing. The best of the 2005 midterms have 8-10 paragraphs, but some others ranged from 4-7 paragraphs.

Spacing: No need to double-space, but OK if you do. I convert all electronic submissions to single-space for reading onscreen.

Special requirements:

  • Refer to at least one previous midterm from a previous class on the course webpage.

  • Refer to at least one student presentation or student-led discussion relevant to your themes--this can be something said either by a presenter during presentation or a student in discussion. (If you like, the presentation referenced can be from a previous summer's models.)

You are also welcome to refer briefly to outside readings, but not required.

Texts relevant to midterm are as follows: Genesis and Revelation; Parable of the Sower; Time Machine; "Stone Lives"; "Bears Discover Fire"; "Somebody up there Likes Me"; "Garden of Forking Paths"; "Gernsback Continuum"; "Mozart in Mirrorshades"; "Better Be Ready 'bout Half Past Eight"

Welcome to refer to texts in abbreviated form, e. g. Parable, “Garden,” “Gernsback.”

Required textual references: You must refer to Revelation, Parable, and Time Machine; otherwise refer to at least 3-4 short stories relating to both evolutionary and alternative futures.

Purposes, organization, evaluation, and audience:

Purposes: Demonstrate ability to introduce Literature of the Future, describe its three central narratives, and make meaning of the course. Language and content should derive from course texts, objectives, and your own speech, backgrounds, experiences, other readings, and personal understandings.

Organization: Write a complete essay covering the following topics and subtopics. These contents are “broken down” for prompts and clarity, not as a simple checklist. Emphasize some and de-emphasize others according to your strengths and preferences.

Despite the variety, unity and transitions are essential. The best exams connect parts to form larger ideas. Pause between paragraphs to review what you've written or to preview what comes next. Summarize. Explain. Explore.

Evaluation standards: As in most Literature courses, quality of reading and writing is the key to judging excellent work from competent work--not just reproducing data but organizing it into a unified, compelling essay. Don't just march through--let me see you thinking.

Audience: Future students may read your essays in our "Model Assignments." Therefore consider addressing a new student who may share something of your experience in the course, especially in the introduction. Otherwise write so that someone in our class could recognize your terms and explanations and enjoy your personal contributions or styles. The instructor has to be kept in sight--connect with shared terms and texts, and "write up" in terms of organization and ambition of thought.

Midterm Content / Assignment:

Read over the whole exam before starting. Since unity of theme or thesis is important, think about not just where you're starting but where you wish to come out. This outcome can change as you write, but just thinking ahead makes an essay work better.

Introduction to Literature of the Future (15-20 minutes)

What is Literature of the Future? Here are some options:

  • What did you expect, and what has the course offered in both contents and methods?
     

  • How has your impression of the course developed or changed?
     

  • How would you describe the course to someone outside?
     

  • Compare and contrast the content & methods to other Literature courses.

(Personal references, backgrounds, and opinions are welcome as long as you explain and relate.)

 

Body: Narrative & Narratives of the Future (at least 1 hour)

  • Transition to the concept of “narrative.” Briefly define and explain the significance of storytelling to human culture and the value of narratives as models of time, logic, progress, reaction, desire, identity, and other attractions.
     

  • Moving from the broad concept of narrative, describe and evaluate the three primary narratives for the future. How do they differ, and how might they combine? How do they fulfill your definition of narrative?
     

  • Refer to texts frequently. Move back and forth between ideas and examples.

Body content options: (You need not cover each item individually or in order.)

  • What models of the future and of human behavior or destiny do the narratives offer?
     

  • What are the literary and cultural attractions or downsides of these narratives?
     

  • Where do these narratives overlap or conflict?
     

  • Consider previewing your conclusion about the meanings of the course.

 

Conclusion: Options (20-30 minutes)

  • Write on any or all of these options in concluding your essay.
     

  • Is the future written or being written?
     

  • How has the course altered either your perception of the future or of the literature pertaining to it?
     

  • If there is one idea or insight that this course has given you regarding literature or the future, what is it? What do or will you keep thinking about regarding your or our future? (Explain.)

 

Links to recent midterms

2005 midterms

2003 midterms

2001 midterms

 

Link to this summer's future-vision presentations