The Literature of Science

Course Syllabus

Course Information Instructor Contact Information

Course Number/Section LIT 3334/001 Dr. Christopher Speck
Term Fall 2009 972–883–2030
Days & Times MW 2:30–3:45 pm cspeck@utdallas.edu
Room AH2 1.204 Office: JO 5.402
Office Hours: TR 2-3 pm and by
appointment

Course Pre–requisites, Co–requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

HUMA 1301, LIT 2331, LIT 2332, or LIT 2341

Course Description
This course will introduce students to various writers — novelists, playwrights,
essayists, and scientists — who have used science as a starting point for thinking about
themes familiar from other types of literature. Such themes include, for example, the
search for truth and the relationship between the individual and society. While students
will focus on literary interpretations of works, some of these interpretations will require
students to understand and discuss basic scientific concepts and theories.

Student Learning Objectives

Students will: (1) read assigned material closely and think about how authors use
scientific ideas to develop themes and tell stories

(2) articulate their interpretations and thinking verbally in class and

through various written assignments, which will include
preparing topics for discussion

(3) compare and contrast how authors view science.

Required Textbooks and Materials* (University Bookstore, Off–Campus Books)

*You can also use other editions.

Brecht, Bertolt. Life of Galileo. Trans. John Willett. Penguin Classics, 2008.
Čapek, Karel. R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots). Penguin Classics, 2004.
Eiseley, Loren. The Unexpected Universe. HBC Trade, 1969.
Frayn, Michael. Copenhagen. Anchor Books, 1998.
Gawande, Atul. Complications. Picador, 2003.
Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006.
Kipphardt, Heinar. In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Spotlight, 1968.
Zamyatin, Yevgeny. We. Trans. Clarence Brown. Penguin Classics, 1993.

***Other material available through eLearning (http://elearning.utdallas.edu) and online

(you might want to print out or copy into Word online material).

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Assignments & Academic Calendar

Mon., 8-24 Intro

In–class reading and discussion of handout

Wed., 8-26 Brecht, Life of Galileo: Scenes 1–6 (pp. 5–51)

Assignments Due by 12 pm: Discussion Topics #1 (Last Names A–D)
______________________________________________________________________

Mon., 8-31 Brecht, Life of Galileo: Scenes 7–15 (pp. 52–109)

Assignments Due by 12 pm: • Discussion Topics #1 (E–H)
• Short Paper #1 (A–D)

Wed., 9-2 Galileo, Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina

(www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/galileo–tuscany.html)
Wade Rowland, “Essay on Galileo Galilei”
(www.waderowland.com/articles/galileo–essay.html)
Stephen J. Gould, “The Sharp–Eyed Lynx Outfoxed by Nature” (Part I)
Natural History (May 1998), Vol. 107, Issue 4, Article 4
(available online through McDermott Library’s website)
Assignments Due by 12 pm: • Discussion Topics #1 (I–P)
• Short Paper #1 (E–H)
______________________________________________________________________

Mon., 9-7 NO CLASS (Labor Day Holiday)

Wed., 9-9 Francis Bacon, Novum Organum (excerpts, eLearning)

Assignments Due by 12 pm: • Discussion Topics #1 (Q–Z)
• Short Paper #1 (I–P)
______________________________________________________________________

Mon., 9-14 Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species (excerpts, eLearning)

Assignments Due by 12 pm: Short Paper #1 (Q–Z)

Wed., 9-16 The Autobiography of Charles Darwin (eLearning)

Darwin’s Letter to Asa Gray (excerpt, eLearning)
T.H. Huxley, “On the Reception of the Origin of Species”
(http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/2089, scroll down and select under
“Formats Available for Download” the HTML 75 KB main site link)

Thursday, September 17 — Essay Titles for Test 1 Posted On–line by 12 pm

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Mon., 9-21 Test 1

Wed., 9-23 Jonathan Swift, Gulliver’s Travels, Book III — A Voyage to Laputa,
Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubdrib, and Japan
(online, McDermott, 1998 version, Elecbook Classics, pp. 188–267)
______________________________________________________________________

Mon., 9-28 Čapek, R.U.R.

Assignments Due by 12 pm: Discussion Topics #2 (A–D)

Wed., 9-30 Huxley, Brave New World: Chapters 1–5 (pp. 3–86)
Assignments Due by 12 pm: • Discussion Topics #2 (E–H)
• Short Paper #2 (A–D)
______________________________________________________________________

Mon., 10-5 Brave New World: Chapters 6–13 (pp. 87–197)

Assignments Due by 12 pm: Discussion Topics #2 (I–P)

Wed., 10-7 Brave New World: Chapters 14–18 (pp. 198–259)

Assignments Due by 12 pm: Discussion Topics #2 (Q–Z)
______________________________________________________________________

Mon., 10-12 Zamyatin, We: Records 1–25 (pp. 3–142)

Assignments Due by 12 pm: • Discussion Topics #3 (A–D)
• Short Paper #2 (E–H)

Wed., 10-14 We: Records 26–40 (pp. 143–225)

Thursday, October 15 — Essay Titles Posted On–line by 12 pm

______________________________________________________________________

Mon., 10-19 Test 2

Wed., 10-21 In–class viewing of The Day After Trinity

______________________________________________________________________

Mon., 10-26 Kipphardt, In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer : pp. 9–96

(until the entrance of Bethe)
Assignments Due by 12 pm: • Discussion Topics #3 (E–H)
• Short Paper #2 (I–P)

Wed., 10-28 In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer: pp. 96–127

Robert Oppenheimer, “Speech to the Association of Scientists of
Los Alamos,” November 2, 1945.
(http://www.honors.umd.edu/HONR269J/archive/OppenheimerSpeech.html)
Assignments Due by 12 pm: Discussion Topics #3 (I–P)

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Mon., 11-2 Eiseley, The Unexpected Universe: Chapters 1–5 (pp. 3–119)
Assignments Due by 12 pm: • Discussion Topics #3 (Q–Z)
• Short Paper #2 (Q–Z)

Wed., 11-4 The Unexpected Universe: Chapters 6–7 (pp. 120–171)

Assignments Due by 12 pm: Discussion Topics #4 (A–D)
______________________________________________________________________

Mon., 11-9 The Unexpected Universe: Chapters 8–10 (pp. 172–233)

In–class viewing of Part One of Cosmos
Essay Titles for Test 3 Posted On–line by 6 pm

Wed., 11-11 Test 3

______________________________________________________________________

Mon., 11-16 Complications: pp. 1–129

Assignments Due by 12 pm: Discussion Topics #4 (E–H)

Wed., 11-18 Complications: pp. 146–161, 187–252

Assignments Due by 12 pm: Discussion Topics # 4 (I–P)
______________________________________________________________________

Mon., 11-23 Michael Frayn, Copenhagen

Wed., 11-25 TBA

______________________________________________________________________

Mon., 11-30 In–class viewing of The Elegant Universe (selected parts)

Wed., 12-2 T.H. Huxley, “Science and Culture” (eLearning)

Matthew Arnold, “Literature and Science”
(http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~ian/arnold.htm)
Gould, “Deconstructing the ‘Science Wars’ by Reconstructing an Old Mold”
Science (Jan. 14, 2000) (online, McDermott)
Assignments Due by 12 pm: Discussion Topics #4 (Q–Z)
______________________________________________________________________

Mon., 12-7 In–class viewing of What We Still Don’t Know — Are We Real?
Assignments Due: All Rewrites are due by today.

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Grading
Attendance and Participation 25% 3 Tests 30%
Discussion Topics 15% Final 10%
2 2–Page Papers 20%

Attendance and Participation

You will be allowed 2 unexcused absences. For every additional 2 unexcused
absences, your overall grade will be lowered by 5 points. Excused absences will require
documentation. 2 tardies or showing up 10+ minutes late equals 1 unexcused absence.
Students are expected to contribute regularly to class discussions, both voluntarily
and when called on. I am aware that speaking in front of a large group can be extremely
intimidating. Please contact me after the first session if you would rather not be called
on, and we will make arrangements for you to do extra written work.
Participation may also include group activities and in–class writing.

Discussion Topics (4 for the semester)

Please e–mail me these assignments by noon on the due date. The syllabus
indicates due dates based on last names, e.g., A–D.
For each assignment, please first list 3-4 broad topics, and then briefly but
substantively discuss one or all of them (see example below). You might include
questions and/or briefly mention specific details. Please avoid plot summaries.
The actual written part (not the listing of topics) should be between ½ and 1
double-spaced page. Make each sentence count. Please remember that you may be
called upon in class to explain at greater length what you wrote for this assignment.
Please see the instructor if you wish to rewrite any of these assignments.

Abbreviated Example: Copernicus shows himself to be very concerned with how

everyone else will view his ideas and is especially worried about society as a whole
ridiculing him. Yet he also talks about being above “the judgment of ordinary persons.”
Is he contradicting himself? (The topic might be listed as “Copernicus and society.”)

2–page papers (2 for the semester)

Papers should be e-mailed by 12 pm and turned in as a hardcopy in class.
Due dates are again based on last names.
Each 2–page (double–spaced) paper should discuss in detail several aspects of a
theme that you have seen in the reading for that day. Begin by defining the theme. Then
examine closely several relevant passages and/or scenes, but keep quotations to a
minimum. Please cite pages you are discussing using parenthetical notation.
You do not need a concluding paragraph or multiple sentences that summarize
your paper. You might write instead a short paragraph that briefly discusses some
aspects of the theme that you did not get to. Another option would be for you to write
briefly about how this theme shows up in other parts of the work. Please see the
instructor if you wish to rewrite one or more of these assignments.

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 Tests (3 for the semester) and Final
For these tests, you will be asked to write in class an approximately 2-page essay
that addresses one of several essay titles given to you in advance. Your goal will be to
come up with an argument based on several works for the relevant section of the course.
You will be allowed to bring a brief outline to use. ONE test may be rewritten as a longer
(3-4 page) paper, but grading will be stringent. Please consult with me first.

General Course Information and Policies

Syllabus
Any items on the syllabus are subject to change at the instructor's discretion.

Written Work and Plagiarism

All written work should represent your interpretations and thinking. If you use
someone else’s ideas, please cite the source. Otherwise you are committing plagiarism.
You may use someone else’s ideas as a starting point, but remember that the goal is for
you to develop your own thoughts.

Class Participation
The quality of contributions is what counts. Average contributions will receive a
“C,” above-average contributions a “B,” and excellent contributions an “A.” The more
thinking that you do ahead of time, the better your in-class contributions will be.

Assigning Grades
I tend to give grades such as B/B+, rather than try to decide between the two.
When it comes time to compute the overall grade, I adjust accordingly, particularly if you
improved over the semester.

A+ = 100 B+ = 88 C+ = 78 D+ = 68 F < 60
A = 95 B = 85 C = 75 D = 65
A- = 92 B- = 82 C- = 72 D- = 62

Classroom Conduct
Some of this material may evoke strong reactions. Please remember that we are
approaching this material as literature and not as something that you have to agree or
disagree with on a personal level. Please raise your hand if you wish to speak.
Please avoid interrupting others while they are speaking. Please do not talk to
each other while others are speaking.

Late Work and Make–up Exams

Allowances will automatically be made for excused absences. Unexcused
absences may result in lower grades on late work and exams that need to be made up.

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 Electronic Equipment
Please turn off — and place inside backpacks, bags, etc. — any laptops, cell
phones, iPhones, and so on. Exceptions to this include requirements for any kind of
documented disability. If you are being distracted by such items and/or they disturb
class, then you may be asked to leave and your participation grade will be affected.

Technical Support
If you experience any problems with your UTD account you may send an email to:
assist@utdallas.edu or call the UTD Computer Helpdesk at 972–883–2911.

Field Trip Policies / Off–Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off–campus, out–of–state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to
state law and University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk–related
activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the website
address http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm. Additional
information is available from the office of the school dean. Below is a description of any
travel and/or risk–related activity associated with this course.

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules
and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the
responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about
the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General
information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD printed publication,
A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the
procedures of recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and
described in the Rules and Regulations, Series 50000, Board of Regents, The University
of Texas System, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the
university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations
are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are
available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883–
6391) and online at http://www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/UTDJudicialAffairs–HOPV.html
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities
of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the
Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to
discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or
off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

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Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic
honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity
of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student
demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.
Scholastic Dishonesty, any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is
subject to discipline. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating,
plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are
attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another
person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit
such acts.
Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and
from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy
on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of
turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the
making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials, including music
and software. Copying, displaying, reproducing, or distributing copyrighted works may
infringe the copyright owner’s rights and such infringement is subject to appropriate
disciplinary action as well as criminal penalties provided by federal law. Usage of such
material is only appropriate when that usage constitutes “fair use” under the Copyright
Act. As a UT Dallas student, you are required to follow the institution’s copyright policy
(Policy Memorandum 84–I.3–46). For more information about the fair use exemption, see
http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/copypol2.htm.

Email Use
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of
communication between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same
time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in
an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence
be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider
email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows
the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual
corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each
student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university
personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method
for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

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Withdrawal from Class
The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any
college–level courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course
catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to
handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw
any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final
grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services
and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.
In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or
other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make
a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or
committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”).
Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and
evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be
submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If
the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the
student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved
by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of
Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an
Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The
results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the
Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the
rules and regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work
unavoidably missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been
completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first
day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to
remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete
grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.

Disability Services
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational
opportunities equal to those of their non–disabled peers. Disability Services is located in
room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to
5:30 p.m.

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 The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:
The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083–0688
(972) 883–2098 (voice or TTY)
disabilityservice@utdallas.edu

If you anticipate issues related to the format or requirements of this course, please
meet with the Coordinator of Disability Services. The Coordinator is available to discuss
ways to ensure your full participation in the course. If you determine that formal,
disability–related accommodations are necessary, it is very important that you be
registered with Disability Services to notify them of your eligibility for reasonable
accommodations. Disability Services can then plan how best to coordinate your
accommodations.
It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such
an accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty
members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations.
Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or
during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other
required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion
whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code,
Texas Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as
possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student,
so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a
reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a
maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed
exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to
complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing
grade for that exam or assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the
purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about
whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed
assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling
from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief
executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC
51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive
officer or designee.

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