Ms. Gokturk
vgokturk@portnet.k12.ny.us
Ms.
G’s Calendar: www.checkthesite.com or www.surfturk.com
Office: 516.767.5868
Turnitin ID: 4298091 Password: gokturk
Trends in Literature:
End of the World & Dystopian Literature
what
this course is
This
course examines an introductory sampling of “end of the world” and dystopian
speculative literature.
End
of the world “disaster scenario” literature forces us to examine what it means
to be human. It expects us to identify
with how humans find meaning and purpose not only in their individual lives but
also as a society, however small that society is. Dystopian literature portrays worlds that
have failed miserably in achieving the goal of a social and political order
free of cruelty, corruption and misery. Both
genres address the individual’s reaction and role in these big situations. These imaginary worlds have connections with
the real world and present important issues for us to consider as human
beings. We will search for reoccurring
themes in these disaster and dystopian narratives and study the issues the
authors highlight. As the course
progresses, students will identify the important issues in our world and form their
own vision of the “end” or “dystopia” to serve as a warning for future readers.
and what it’s not…
This course is not
intended to depress, nor is it intended to provide a fatalistic excuse to give
up. In fact, quite the opposite should
occur. Since the literature portrays
frightening imaginary worlds that horrify, readers are forced to acknowledge
society’s ills – this should inspire change!
In addition, many of the
narratives we will examine reveal mankind’s hope – his need – to survive, to “do
the right thing,” to persevere, to rebuild, and to be remembered.
core questions
ü
Do you think the world will ever
end? Why or why not? How do you define “the end” in this context?[1][1]
ü
What are the important issues of our
time?
ü
What does it mean to be human?
ü
How is civilization created,
maintained, and/or destroyed?
ü
What gives our lives meaning?
ü
Why do authors use post-apocalyptic
settings or create dystopias?
ü
What role does the individual play
in preserving the future?
Units
& Core Concepts
1.
Paradise à
Utopia à
2.
Cosmic Disaster
As time permits, we will choose from the following menu:
Short Pieces:
Isaac
Asimov’s “Nightfall”
Alfred
Bester’s “Adam and No Eve”
Ray
Bradbury’s “And There Will Come Soft Rains”
Arthur
C. Clarke’s “The Star” & “The Nine
Billion Names of God”
R.
Crumb’s “Genesis” (graphic novel excerpt)
Harlan
Ellison’s “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream”
Charlie
Fish’s “Bleeding Jungle”
Gaye
Jee’s “A Civilising Influence”
Fritz
Leiber’s “A Pail of Air”
David
Olsson’s “Id”
Plato’s
“Allegory of the Cave”
Edgar
Allen Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death”
Elaine Showalter’s “The Way We Live
Now”
James Thurber’s “The Last Flower”
Pamela
Zoline’s “The Heat Death of the Universe”
Novels:
Margaret
Atwood’s Oryx and Crake
George
Stewart’s Earth Abides
HG Wells’ The Time
Machine
Films/Videos:
2001:
A Space Odyssey
20/20’s End of Days
Blade
Runner
Children
of Men
An
Inconvenient Truth
The
Last Man on Earth
Logan’s
Run
The
Matrix
Soylent
Green
Food,
Inc.
Delicatessen
ZPG:
Zero Population Growth
Twelve
Monkeys
WALL-E
Discovery
Channel’s Book of Revelations – End of
the World?
Class
Rules:
Grading:
Quizzes.
There are daily reading and vocabulary quizzes. Most quizzes are worth 25 points each. The lowest score will be dropped.
Homework. Most assignments are worth 10 points
each. Homework is due that class after it was assigned unless otherwise noted.
Participation.
This is one 100 point grade and is based on class contribution,
preparedness, punctuality, in-class assignments, group work, attentiveness, and
effort.
Projects, Essays, and Tests.
These are usually worth 100 points each, although long-term projects may
be worth 200. (For example, the final
project will be worth 200 points).
Turnitin.com:
All major assignments will
be submitted to turnitin.com and graded online through GradeMark.
Extra
Help:
Please email me if you need
help with an assignment, would like to review before a quiz, or miss a
class. You may schedule an appointment
with me or see me 4-2 in the English Department.
The
Also, please ask me about
great dystopian and post-apocalyptic reads and film to peruse on your own time!
Let’s
make this a fabulous semester!
[1][1] According to a