Literature of the Future syllabus detail

Relative weight: 30-40% of final grade

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

Date: Thursday, 25 June, during or around regular class schedule.

Timing:

• Email students may spend 2-4 hours writing the exam in any time period after our Tuesday class (23 June) up to 6pm Thursday, 25 June. Pauses or interruptions are okay.

• In-class students start around 9am and finish by 11:59 on 25 June.

Prep time: Prepare as much as you like. Review notes and texts plus or minus outlining and drafting. Consult notes, outlines, drafts, and the course webpage (syllabus, objectives, model assignments) as you write.

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.

•        mistake students are most likely to make is sending to “white” rather than “whitec”

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

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

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

Email problems? A problem or two with email is normal in a class this size. Don't panic--we'll work things out.

Length: The best previous midterms have 8-10 paragraphs, but others range 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.

Text / reference requirements:

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

Welcome also to refer briefly to outside readings, but not required.

Texts relevant to midterm include Genesis and Revelation; Parable of the Sower; "Stone Lives"; "Bears Discover Fire"; Time Machine; "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 + 3-4 stories .

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.

Introducing and developing multiple examples from texts and relating texts to each other are standard for better exams.

• "Develop" means  extending analysis, connecting to other examples (compare / contrast), and connecting to course objectives.

Audience:

• Share your experience in the course with future students who may read your writing in "Model Assignments."
• Or write so someone in our class could recognize your terms and explanations and enjoy your personal contributions or styles.
• Keep the instructor in sight. Connect through shared terms, texts, and objectives. "Write up" in terms of organization and ambition of thought.

Possible Midterm Content Outline with Prompts

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

What is Literature of the Future? Some options:

• What did you expect, and what did you find in the course's 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 “narrative.” Briefly define and explain the significance of storytelling to human culture and the value of narratives as models of time, logic, consequences, 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 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?
     

  • What idea or textual passage regarding literature or the future do you keep thinking about? (Explain.)
     

  • Reconnect to your opening themes.

Returning your midterms

Receipt of your email midterm will be acknowledged by reply email within a few hours.

By about Sunday 28 June, check for your midterm note and grade emailed from instructor.