This document provides the syllabus for an undergraduate course called "Images of Science in Literature" taught in the fall of 2015. The course will examine how technology and science have been portrayed across different works of literature throughout history. Readings may include novels, essays, and works from various societies. The goals of the course are to promote an understanding and appreciation of literature, improve writing skills, and consider the impact of technology on society as discussed in texts. Students will complete writing assignments, presentations, tests, and a final paper. The grading policy and schedule of weekly readings and topics are also outlined.

1. Stevens Institute of Technology
College of Arts and Letters
Program in Literature and Communications
Course Number and Section: HLI 220A, Carnegie 315
Title: Images of Science in Literature
Semesterand Year: Fall 2015
Class days and times: T (2-2:50) & Th (2-3:40)
Name of instructor: Dr. Catalina F. Florescu
Office & office hrs: Tuesday 1-2 pm in Morton
305
Email address: cfloresc@stevens.edu
Course description: This course investigates the views man has expressed about the advent
impact of technology and science across recorded history. Questions that might be addressed
include: What is the relationship between religion and technology? Has man always viewed
technological innovations as positive? What relationship is there between man’s vision of
utopian society and technology? Readings may include, but are not limited to novels,
philosophical treatises, and the literature of various societies.
Prerequisites: None.
Goals: This course engages core texts of literature to:
1)Promote awareness of the importance of literature in creating and maintaining the social,
political, ethical and religious systems by which we live.
2) Foster an appreciation of the pleasures of reading.
3) Improve writing and communication skills.
4) Consider how humans have discussed the impact of technology and science on society.
Course objectives: As a result of taking this course you should be able to:
1) Appreciate and understand literature through science/technology, art, and cinema.
2) Engage your connective thinking among texts.
3) Produce analytical responses to texts/passages outside of the required texts (“in class
unannounced mini-tests”).
4) Be creative (“What If…” Project).
5) Analyze what and how texts signify. Foster oral discussions.
6) Write a coherent draft. Compose a revised essay.
Required Kindle editions:
Utopia; Brave New World; Rhinoceros; Dead Man’s Cell Phone
Nota Bene: To all the other readings, you will either receive a link or an attachment.
Mandatory: Have the texts with you at all times unless otherwise directed. Our discussions are
text-related, so quoting from the primary source is important.
Grading policies:
2 Reading/Research Writing Prompts 20% (15% - writing + 5% - oral presentations)

2. Mini-test 10%
Test 20 %
Paper 20 % (3 pages)
Unannounced in class writing responses 10 %
“What If…” in class project 10% (1 ½ page)
Leading Discussions 10%
Attendance
-- Regular and punctual attendance is expected. Remember: at least 95% of success in life
depends on showing up!
-- If you are absent more than 3 times you will receive a lower grade (leaving halfway through
class counts as an absence).
-- Lateness of more than 10 minutes counts as 1/3 of an absence.
-- It is your responsibility to remind me of your presence (tell me at the end of class) if you
come in after I take attendance.
-- More than 6 absences result in failure.
Policies
Students are not permitted to take notes on their laptops, tablets, etc.
-- The usage of cell phone is PROHIBITED. Do not text during class time. If you do, that
means you do not either participate or listen to what others have to say. I mark absent
those who text in class!
-- In class unannounced mini-writing responses will be on passages from new readings and/or
images (never discussed in class). These will test your ability to interact with a reading/visual
without mediated discussions. The writing activities are meant to develop your awareness toward
raising questions and providing critical answers.
WCC tutoring: Students should take advantage of this free service. See www.stevens.edu/wci.
Adding and/or dropping the course: Consult the registrar’s website
(http://www.stevens.edu/registrar/) for information re: add/drop policies.
Honor board policies: Enrollment into the undergraduate class of Stevens Institute of
Technology signifies a student’s commitment to the Honor System. It is the responsibility of
each student to become acquainted with and to uphold the ideals set forth in the Honor System
Constitution. Specific student responsibilities include: Maintaining honesty and fair play in all
aspects of academic life at Stevens; Writing and signing the pledge, in full, on all submitted
academic work; Reporting any suspected violations to an Honor Board member or to the Dean of
Student Development; Cooperating with the Honor Board during investigations and hearings.
The pledge signifies that the work submitted by a student is indeed his/her own. There is one
designated pledge to be used for tests, homework assignments, lab reports, and computer
projects. The pledge shall be written in full and signed by the student on all submitted academic
work. Any references used (including texts, tutors, classmates, etc.) should be listed below the
written pledge: “I pledge my honor that I have abided by the Stevens Honor System.”
Students with disabilities:

3. If you require special accommodations due to a disability, or if you need individual arrangements
should the building be evacuated, you must inform the office of Student Counseling and
Psychological Services, Dr. Streich, Director, in the Howe Center, 7th floor (x5177), and ask that
she inform the instructor as early as possible.
Changes in the syllabus:
I may modify or alter the syllabus to make up for lost classes due to weather conditions, health,
or other reasons or when I believe it will help to attain course objectives, or for any other such
reasons.
~~~Schedule of Classes~~~
09-01 Syllabus (introduction) and clips from the creation of ancient civilizations/tribes (Inca,
Zulu, Navajo)
09-03 The Bible (Genesis 1-12) and definition of images vs. imageries
09-08 Research/Library Day # 1: Topic: Aboriginal myths of creation
09-10 Researchday # 1 writing prompt due; Oral presentations; and Ovid (Metamorphoses)
09-15 Oral presentations (cont’d); and Utopia
09-17 Brave New World and projection of movie adaptation (selection)
09-22 Cont’d BNW
09-24 Mini-test (1 hour long)
09-29 Krapp’s Last Tape
10-01 Cont’d KLP and video projection
10-06 Dead Man’s Cell Phone
10-08 Cont’d DMCP
10-13 Rhinoceros No class (Monday schedule)
10-15 Research /Library Day # 2: Topic: Let there be light, inside my body! (Transacting Sites of
the Liminal Bodily Spaces)
10-20 Researchday # 2 writing prompt due; Oral presentations; and “The Machine Stops”
10-22 Oral presentations (cont’d); and Rhinoceros
10-27 “The One Who Walked Away from Omelas” and “The Lottery” and “The Nine Billion
Names of God”
10-29 “The Balloon” and “The Sound Machine”; projection of short movies/adaptations
11-03 Big Hero 6 (clips and in class discussions)
11-05 Test (1 hour 30 minute long)
11-10 Creations Stories from around the World (“The Four Creations”; “Odin and Ymir”; “The
Separation of Heaven and Earth”)
11-12 “The Story of Corn and Medicine”; “The Origin of Japan and Her People”; “The Golden
Chain”; The Menominee and Manabush”) and handout for paper distributed
11-17 “Pan Gu and Nü Wa”; “Yahweh”; and “A Potawatomi Story”
11-22 “Birth in the Dawn”; “Life from Moon and the Stars”; “Two Brothers and Their
Grandmother”; and “Gaia”
11-24 Paper due ***!!
11-26 NO CLASS (Thanksgiving) 
12-01 Einstein’s Dreams
12-03 ED + “What If” in class project

4. 12-08 Oral presentations (“What If…” project) and revised papers due!
12-10 Activities TBD