Prof E.K. Sparks

Engl 450—SF Film

Spring 2004

Science Fiction Film:  Syllabus Outline

1. W, Jan 7: Intro to course

2. M, Jan 12: Readings on Definition:

LAB 1: T , Jan 13: A&E: History of SF Film

3. W, Jan 14: Readings on History of SF Film:

M, Jan 19: MLK Holiday

LAB 2: T, Jan 20:  Metropolis (1924)

4. W, Jan 21: Discuss Readings on Metropolis

5. M, Jan 26: Readings on Hero’s Journey: 

LAB 3: T, Jan 27:  Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back

6. W, Jan 28: Discuss Campbell Quest and Readings on Star Wars

7. M, Feb 2: Iconography of SF

LAB 4: T, Feb 3: The Thing (1951) and The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) 179 min total

8. W, Feb 4: Discuss Readings on The Thing and Them

9. M, Feb 9: Readings on Invasion of the Body Snatchers I

LAB 5: T, Feb 10:  Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) (80 min) THEM (1954) 

10. M, Feb 9: Readings on Invasion of the Body Snatchers II

11. M, Feb 16: Readings on Disasters

LAB 6:  T, Feb 17: Dr. Strangelove (1964) (DVD; 102 min)

12. W, Feb 18: Discuss Readings on Strangelove

13. M, Feb 23: Readings on 2001

LAB 7: T, Feb 24: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) (DVD and Video; 141 min)

14. W, Feb 25: Readings on 2001

15. M, Mar 1:  MIDTERM

LAB 8: T, Mar 2: Silent Running (1971) (DVD; 89 min) and Dark Star (1973) 91 min 

Total=180 min

16. W, Mar 3: Cultural Critiques

17. M, Mar 8: Readings on Gender Issues: 

LAB 9: T, Mar 9: The Stepford Wives (1975) (ordered DVD; 114 min)

18. W, Mar 10:  Discuss Movie.  Readings on Sex in SF

SPRING BREAK (March15-19)

19. M, Mar 22: Alien Contexts

LAB 10: T, Mar 16: Alien (1979) (116 min)

 20. W, Mar 24:  Readings on Alien

21. M, Mar 29: Alien and Blade Runner

LAB 11:  T, Mar 30: Blade Runner (1982) (video of laserdisc; 124 min)

22. W, Mar 31: Discuss Reading on Blade Runner

23. M, Apr 5:  Philip K. Dick and SF Film

LAB 12: T, Apr 6: Total Recall (1989) (DVD; 114 min)

24. W, Apr 7: Readings on Total Recall

25. M, Apr 12:   Discuss final exam: essay and ID’s; Reading on Science Fiction Film Criticism

LAB 13: T, Apr 13: Aliens (1987) (154 min extended) and/or Independence Day (1996)

26. W, Apr 14:  SF Film in the 90's

27. M, Apr 19:  Readings on The Matrix

LAB 14: T, Apr 20: The Matrix (2000) (DVD :136 min)

28: W, Apr 21: Discuss Matrix and Final Exam