Missouri Western State University  College of Liberal Arts and Sciences  Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism ENG 324-01 Literature and Science Murphy Hall 106, 11:00-12:20, TR  Fall 2008   "Science! True daughter of Old Time thou art!/ Who alterest all things with thy peering eyes./ Why preyest thou thus upon the poet's heart,/ Vulture, whose wings are dull realities?/ How should he love thee? or how deem thee wise?" --Edgar Allan Poe

Professor: Dr. Roberts
Office: 222G Eder Hall
Phone: 816-271-5810
E-mail: robertsi@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours: 1:00-3:30 TR

Course Description and Philosophy:

Wrote Albert Einstein, "The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious--the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science." Yet, literature and science are often thought of as antithetical. Is there a difference between the artistic, imaginative truths of literature and the rational, empirical truths of science? How does the cloning of human embryos or the discovery of planets beyond our solar system shape how literature is written or read? How does literature shape scientific pursuit or help us to cope with technological change? Literary study is but an empty adornment unless it confronts the realities of modern life. So, consider with me the place of science in a responsible, emotionally satisfying and imaginative conception of the world. We'll also consider the place of literature in an overwhelmingly scientific and technological age. Isn't it about time you experienced the mysterious? Prerequisites for the course are ENG 108 or 112 and ENG 210 or 220. LAS International/Intercultural.

In its various programs and offerings, the Department of English, Foreign Languages and Journalism works toward four goals: (1) an improvement of communication skills through practice in diverse types of expository and imaginative writing; (2) a development of critical thinking through exposure to and interpretation of the various world views offered in literary works; (3) an increased appreciation of literature, its backgrounds, history, and values through an analysis and discussion of authors and literary works covering a wide range of attitudes, perspectives, and expressions; (4) a deeper understanding of one's own culture and a tolerance and acceptance of things foreign through a study and appreciation of another language and culture. In all of its programs, the department encourages its students to grow in self-knowledge and the knowledge of others through its emphasis on the humane and liberal characteristics of its offerings.

Required Materials:

• Barrett, Andrea. Ship Fever.

• Calvino, Italo. Cosmicomics.
• Čapek, Karel. R.U.R.
• Dürrenmatt, Friedrich. The Physicists.
• Eiseley, Loren. The Star Thrower.
• Iagnemma, Karl. On the Nature of Human Romantic Interaction.
• Lightman, Alan. Einstein's Dreams.
• Sacks, Oliver. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.
• An up-to-date unabridged college dictionary.
• Stamina and good humor.

Instructor's Attendance Policy:

Regular attendance is an essential part of the student's educational experience and a requirement for an adequate evaluation of student academic progress. For this and other reasons, attendance is mandatory. If you have more than two unexcused absences during the semester, your final grade will be affected. Indeed, excessive absences will result in failure of the course. Chronic lateness and/or leaving early will count toward absences. Excused absences involve acting as an official representative of the university after prior notification from the faculty/staff supervisor of the event. At the instructor's discretion, an absence will be excused in the case of a documented and unforeseen emergency. All other absences will be deemed unexcused.

You are responsible for material covered or assignments given during your absence, so ask another student to inform you of what happened while you were gone. If I should be unable to meet class, you will be notified by the secretary, a fellow instructor, or by an officially stamped and dated note on the classroom door.

Policy on Late Work:

All out of class assignments are due at the beginning of the hour on the due date. Learning is a cumulative process, and each assignment is designed to build on the previous one. As late work disrupts this important aspect of the learning process, late work will not be accepted without prior notification and approval. When reasonably possible, however, missed assignments will be accepted after the due date in the case of an excused absence (see above).

Preparation and Participation:

You are required to make significant contributions to class in the form of preparation and participation. Preparation includes completing the readings and daily assignments, as well as bringing your assignments, textbook, and other materials with you on the appropriate days. If you come unprepared, you will receive a zero for any work due that day.

Participation includes the help you give to fellow students and the contributions you make to class discussion. Active and insightful contributions to class discussion are therefore not "extra credit." Like the written assignments, your tactful and substantive comments are part of the minimal requirements for successful completion of the course. If you are a naturally quiet person, force yourself to be more vocal; do not assume that if I do not call on you that you need not participate, as it is your responsibility to voice your observations at appropriate and relevant times. Conversely, if you are a naturally talkative person, you may have to restrain yourself so that everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Since you obviously cannot make up for discussions from which you were absent, attendance is again critical.

Why is discussion so important? Because live classroom discussion:

• gives me an additional indication of how closely and thoughtfully you have read, enabling me to evaluate your knowledge and abilities more fairly and accurately.
• helps you think in terms of the subject matter by giving you practice in thinking.
• helps you learn to evaluate the logic of and evidence for your own and others' positions.
• helps you learn what counts as evidence and how to evaluate knowledge claims.
• helps you understand how knowledge is arrived at in the discipline.
• gives you practice arguing with others respectfully and professionally.
• gives you opportunities to formulate applications of principles.
• helps you construct knowledge you can recall and apply when needed.
• gives you prompt feedback on difficult or confusing issues and material.
• increases your retention of material through explaining, summarizing, and questioning.
• stimulates new ideas, approaches, questions, reading and research.

Student Conduct:

As a condition to remaining at MWSU, the college expects all students to conduct themselves so as to maintain an effective environment for learning, to act responsibly in accordance with good taste, and to respect fully the rights of others. Behavior that disrupts the classroom environment or interferes with other students' learning will result in dismissal from the classroom. Passionate and forceful language are sometimes appropriate, intolerance and dogmatism are not.

Assignment Requirements:

All out of class written assignments for this course must be word processed unless otherwise specified. Non-word processed submissions will be returned with no credit. Assignments should follow MLA format, using no larger than twelve point type and one inch margins. Pages should be stapled together before you come to class (do not use folders or paper clips and do not fold down the corners of papers). Do not throw away any work you do for this class, from notes to drafts to final papers, and keep back-up copies of all papers you turn in to me.

Grading:

The standards for college English classes are higher than those used in high schools. All the guidelines and standards for classes at MWSU are similar to those used by other colleges and universities throughout the country. You, as a serious student, will appreciate the fact that we hold high standards for your work. Your grade will be determined by the quality of your daily work, short writings, and exams, as well as by your preparation and participation. Assignments will be evaluated according to how well they meet the requirements outlined in the assignment description and the following general scale.

A = Superior
B = Above Average
C = Average
D = Minimum = passing below average
F = Failing

Short Writings and Daily Assignments = 25%
Mid-Term Exam = 25%
Final Exam = 25%
Critical Paper = 25%

Instructor's Policy on Academic Honesty:

Plagiarism is a most serious offense and, therefore, will incur harsh punishment. Don't think you won't get caught; writing style is distinctive and verifiable. It is the student's responsibility to prove to the instructor's satisfaction that all work is their own. Work with evidence of plagiarism or other academic dishonesty, intentional or not, will receive a zero. Any breach of academic honesty may also directly result in failure of the course.

Institutional Policy on Academic Honesty and Due Process:

Academic honesty is required in all academic endeavors. Violations of academic honesty include any instance of plagiarism, cheating, seeking credit for another's work, falsifying documents or academic records, or any other fraudulent activity. Violations of academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment, failure in the course, or expulsion from the University. When a student's grade has been affected, violations of academic honesty will be reported to the provost or designated representative on the Academic Honesty Violation Report forms.

Please see the Student Handbook and Calendar for specific activities identified as violations of this policy and the student due process procedure. This handbook is also available online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf

Disabilities:

Any student who has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of abilities should contact me immediately so that we can discuss class requirements.

General:

This syllabus is of a contractual nature, and by remaining in the course you acknowledge your acceptance of its stipulations in their entirety. If the goals, policies, procedures, standards, expectations, or obligations are unclear, then you should speak with me immediately. If they are clear but unacceptable to you, then you should drop the course.

If you choose to remain in the course, be sure to keep a copy of this syllabus with you and to refer to it regularly. Policies are enforced without exception to ensure uniformity and predictability, to avoid confusion and anxiety, and to facilitate fairness and objectivity for all students. In the interest of efficiency, however, I reserve the right to make necessary alterations to this syllabus and to make announced changes in daily plans. Any announcements made in class automatically supersede this syllabus. It is your responsibility to find out about announced changes.

Final Thoughts:

For further explanations, comments, and advice, I am available during office hours. For additional help outside of class, I strongly recommend the Center for Academic Support.

I genuinely want you to succeed in this class and at MWSU generally. I therefore urge you to keep in mind that what you gain from this course, and your from your education generally, is proportional to the amount of productive time and careful attention you devote to it. In the words of Abigail Adams (1744-1818), "Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence."

Course Outline:

This outline shows major readings and assignments, but additional readings and assignments will be given in class throughout the semester.

8/26     Frankenstein (film)

8/28     Hawthorne's "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment," "The Birthmark," and "Rappaccini's Daughter" (web)          

9/2       Huxley's "Science and Culture" and Arnold's "Literature and Science" (web)     

9/4       Snow's "The Two Cultures" (handout) and Eiseley's "The Illusion of the Two Cultures" (Star Thrower)  

9/9       Galileo (film)    

9/11     Galileo (cont.)  

9/16     Čapek's RUR  

9/18     Dürrenmatt's The Physicists      

9/23     Copenhagen (film)       

9/25     Copenhagen (cont.)     

9/30     Sacks's The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat      

10/2     Sacks (cont.)

10/7     Eiseley's The Star Thrower

10/9     Midterm Exam             

10/14   Eiseley (cont.)

10/16   Inherit the Wind (film)

10/21   Inherit the Wind (cont.)

10/23   Calvino's Cosmicomics

10/28   Calvino (cont.) 

10/30   Calvino (cont.)

11/4     Lightman's Einstein's Dreams                

11/6     Lightman (cont.)          

11/11   Madame Curie (film)

11/13   Barrett's Ship Fever     

11/18   Barrett (cont.)  

11/20   Iagnemma's On the Nature of Human Romantic Interaction

11/25   Paper Draft Critiques (bring copies)     

11/27   Thanksgiving

12/2     Iagnemma (cont.)

12/4     Iagnemma (cont.)

12/9     Final Exam Period: 11:30-1:20