LIN 312
THE LANGUAGES OF SCIENCE FICTION
Spring 1997
University of Texas at Austin
Instructor: Mary Shapiro
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Language and communication are central concerns in works of science fiction. Although some authors choose to "cop out" with "universal translators" or the adoption of Modern English as a galactic lingua franca, others treat complex linguistic issues with insight, sophistication, and originality. This course will look at classics and little-known works of science fiction, and some literary criticism, to explore such questions as:
- What is the basic nature of human(oid) language?
- What language(s) will humans speak in the future?
- How will English change in the future?
- Could animals (and/or other sentient species) communicate with humans? How?
- Will computers ever command language as humans do? Will they then be sentient?
- What is the connection between language and consciousness?
- What is the connection between language and world view? Does language reflect or control the way speakers see the world? Could language be used as a weapon?
- What might truly alien systems of communication be like?
PREREQUISITES: None
TEXTBOOK:
Required readings on reserve in Hill Library. Marc Okrand's The Klingon Dictionary is recommended.
(Please see the SPOILER WARNING.)
REQUIREMENTS:
One section of this course (unique #35065; MWF 9-10) will be taught as a Substantial Writing Component course; another section (unique #35060; MWF 10-11) will be non-SWC.
REQUIREMENTS for SWC section:
Attendance, homework and class participation
(in discussions and small-group activities) 30%
Two Book Reviews (3-5 pages each) 40%
Final paper (7-10 pages) 30%
REQUIREMENTS for non-SWC section:
Attendance and class participation
(in discussions and small-group activities) 20%
Homework 20%
Book Review (3-5 pages) 20%
Two tests 40%
CYBERSTUDIES
You've managed to find this page, so you're already a citizen of cyberspace. The Internet is full of information relevant to this course. You'll have the opportunity to do research on the Web, and I hope that you'll let me know when you find resources I have not yet stumbled across. Three homework assignments in particular will require you to follow links to various sites:
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