ONPS2507 – Science Fiction Science Fact
Assignment Information 2020 (1) Description
You are required to write an essay on a technology (e.g. hand-held communicators, faster than light travel, time-travel, etc.) which was introduced as a concept in science fiction, focusing on its plausibility and appearance in popular media. This technology may or may not have already been developed. A list of additional suggested topics will be provided in the Major Essay Discussion Forum.
You must have the following section headings in your essay: 1. Title Page– Descriptive and creative title of the topic (including name, course, etc.) 2. Introduction and History – Describe the technology in terms of what it does and its
potential benefits and/or problems. Include historical references to the first and early appearance of the technology in science fiction literature/media, as well as from recent literature/media. Two detailed examples (1 classic, 1 modern) should be given; the remaining (at least 4 for full marks) need only be mentioned but must be cited correctly.
3. Current Status/Recent Developments – If the technology has been developed then explain the following: when it was developed, by whom and its current status. If it has not yet been developed: outline theoretical and/or experimental work currently underway to make the technology a reality.
4. Technological Limitations and Future Potential – If already developed: what does the future of the technology hold? If not already developed: describe what technologies must be developed and/or scientific discoveries made in order to make the technology a reality. Include predictions on the likelihood of the technology coming to fruition and realistic potential timelines or if too far in the future, compile a detailed timeline from sci-fi sources, listing at least 3 specific examples when the technology was developed or was already available in different sci-fi offerings.
5. References – including in-text citations and a full reference list.
(2) Readability
Proper formatting specific to an essay is required. Your essay should be uncumbersome to read and engaging to the reader. Consider your audience (me, someone with a PhD); the basic physics and ideas are assumed knowledge, hence need only be mentioned and not elaborated on, i.e. do not detail what was covered in class, focus on the research you have conducted. Aspects of science fiction should be tied into the body of the essay, i.e. specific examples for media/literature. An appropriate level of orthography and grammar characteristic of a university student is expected.
(3) Length
Essays must be between 1200 to 1500 words in length not including references.
(4) Assessment
All essays will be marked according to the attach Rubric. This assignment will be worth 44% of your mark for this course.
(5) Due date
All assignments must be submitted by uploading them as PDFs to Canvas via turn-it- in by 11 pm Sunday the 31st of May.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.
FURTHER SUGGESTED TOPICS AND CONTENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Anti-gravity – including but not limited to levitation (e.g. flying cars, hover-boards), inertia dampens, tractor-beams, ratification gravity (i.e. gravity-plating in spacecraft).
Cloning – Albeit already developed, focusing on the ethical aspects if permitted in the future.
Colonialization – Permanently Habitable Space Stations, moon-bases, Space Colonies, Terraforming.
Cybernetics – Everything from robots and androids, to prosthetics, biomech, cyborgs and A.I (what was the ‘A’ again?)
Exo-suits – Areas like body armour, life-support, Mechs and Jaegers.
Force Fields – shields and cloaking; exploring also how variable these are across different sci-fi universes.
Orbital Launch Systems – Space Elevator (Going up… next stop High earth orbit), Super Heavy Lifters, Space (Verne) Guns. Consider ‘off-world’ spaceport or construction yards.
The following topics have little to no immediate technological basis, they are thus not recommended.
Blackholes – In general; unless you can find some kind of use for them (a Black Hole Drive, or the Penrose Trash Converter come to mind) but you’ll struggle to find many sci-fi examples to use.
Time Travel – While the idea of the time ‘machine’ clearly exists, there is little to no science as yet; Tipler Cylinders and Ring Lasers are mere hypotheses. You could also write about forward time travel by way of relativity (both types) but the cost to benefit ratio is almost infinitely high and as such is not being considered by science.
Rubric for Science Fiction Science Fact Essay: TOTAL / 44 (Sub-section values in parenthesis)
4 – Exemplary 3 – Proficient 2 – Satisfactory 1 – Developing 0 – Unacceptable
Title Page (4)
A creative and concise title is given. A descriptive title is given. An unimaginative title is provided. A derivative title is provided. Title is missing.
Introduction and History (8)
The technology/concept is clearly defined in terms of how it works and benefits humanity were it to exist.
Contains many (≥3) references to the first (or early) appearance of the technology in literature/media, as well as more recent media (≥3).
The technology/concept is somewhat defined in terms of how it works and benefits humanity were it to exist.
Contains some (≥2) references to the early appearance of the technology in literature/media, as well as more recent media (≥2).
The technology/concept is loosely defined in terms of how it works and benefits humanity were it to exist.
Contains a few (≥2) references to the appearance of the technology in early literature/media and/or more recent media.
The technology/concept is barely defined in terms of how it works and benefits humanity were it to exist.
Contains little (<2) references to the appearance of the technology in early literature/media or more recent media.
The technology/concept is poorly defined in terms of how it works and benefits humanity were it to exist.
The section contains no references to the technology in literature/media.
Current Status/Recent Developments (8)
A thorough explanation of whether the technological has been developed or of the work currently underway to make the technology a reality.
Clearly explains when it was developed, by whom and its current status and/or the theoretical and/or experimental work current underway, to make it a reality.
A decent explanation of whether the technological has been developed or of the work currently underway to make the technology a reality.
Makes a reasonable attempt to explain when it was developed, by whom and its current status and/or the theoretical and/or experimental work current underway, to make it a reality.
A partial explanation of whether the technological has been developed or of the work currently underway to make the technology a reality.
Incomplete attempt to explain when it was developed, by whom and its current status and/or the theoretical and/or experimental work current underway, to make it a reality.
A vague explanation of whether the technological has been developed or of the work currently underway to make the technology a reality.
A poor attempt to explain when it was developed, by whom and its current status and/or the theoretical and/or experimental work current underway, to make it a reality
Missing an explanation of whether the technological has been developed or of the work currently underway to make the technology a reality.
No attempt to explain when it was developed, by whom or its current status and/or the theoretical and/or experimental work current underway, to make it a reality
Technological Limitations and Future Potential (8)
An excellent description of what the future of the technology holds including what scientific discoveries must be made in order to progress or make the technology a reality.
A realistic timeline is included. Incorporates many aspects of the technology and/or understanding of scientific principles and laws.
A suitable description of what the future of the technology holds including what scientific discoveries must be made in order to progress or make the technology a reality.
A reasonable timeline is included. Incorporates some aspects of the technology and/or understanding of scientific principles and laws
A meagre description of what the future of the technology holds including what scientific discoveries must be made in order to progress or make the technology a reality.
A poor timeline is included. Incorporates only sketchy aspects of the technology and/or understanding of scientific principles and laws
Poorly incorporates aspects as to the future of the technology or what scientific discoveries must be achieved to advance the technology.
No, or a very poor, timeline is included. Only poorly describes aspects of the technology and/or understanding of scientific principles and laws
Does not incorporate any aspects as to the future of the technology or what scientific discoveries must be achieved to advance the technology.
No mention of a future time frame. Does not incorporate any aspects of the technology and/or understanding of scientific principles and laws
4 – Exemplary 3 – Proficient 2 – Satisfactory 1 – Developing 0 – Unacceptable
Spelling and Grammar (4)
Virtually free from spelling and grammatical errors.
<5 errors can be identified.
Mostly free from spelling and grammatical errors.
5-10 errors can be identified.
Has several spelling and grammatical errors.
10-15 errors can be identified
Has many spelling and grammatical errors.
15-20 errors can be identified.
Is littered with spelling and grammatical errors.
At least 20 errors can be identified.
References (4)
An effective use of referencing is present throughout, with all, or practically all, arguments supported by referenced evidence.
Reasonable use of referencing is present throughout, with the majority of arguments supported by referenced evidence.
An attempt at referencing is made, with some arguments supported by referenced evidence.
Only a bibliography exists; no in-text references present.
Little or no use of referencing is present, with fewer than 4 sources listed.
Readability (8)
Very well written; succinctly and to the point, providing the reader with an insightful review of the topic. Free from dry or lengthy sections of text, demonstrates a firm understanding of the topic.
Includes many ties-in to science- fiction examples within the essay body.
Demonstrates solid and clear formatting skills, including but not limited to, figure and page numbering, name (or other identifier), text layout.
Written reasonably concisely, providing the reader with a thoughtful review of the topic. Few dry or lengthy sections of text, demonstrates a good understanding of the topic.
Includes some ties-in to science- fiction examples within the essay body.
Lacking some aspect of formatting; neglecting to include either: figure/page numbering, name (or other identifier), or text layout.
Written somewhat concisely, providing the reader with a decent review of the topic. Few dry or lengthy sections of text, demonstrates a reasonable understanding of the topic.
Includes few ties-in to science-fiction examples within the essay body.
Poorly formatted, missing many of the aforementioned required aspects of a proper essay.
Written poorly, providing the reader with a haphazard review of the topic. Several dry or lengthy sections of text which demonstrates an incomplete understanding of the topic.
Includes a ties-in to science-fiction examples within the essay body.
Barely formatted, missing most, if not all, of the required aspects.
Feebly written, providing the reader with little review of the topic. Many dry or lengthy sections of text which demonstrates a poor understanding of the topic.
Doesn’t relate to any science-fiction examples.
Barely formatted, missing all of the required aspects; you haven’t even included your name.
Endorsed formatting is a serif font (e.g. Times New Roman, Century, Garamond), size 12-14, line-spacing at 1.5, justified text (not left-aligned)
Due Date: 11:00 pm Sunday 31st of May 2020 (end of SWOTVAC)
LATE ASSIGNMENTS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.
- Essays must be between 1200 to 1500 words in length not including references.
- Rubric for Science Fiction Science Fact Essay: TOTAL / 44 (Sub-section values in parenthesis)
- Due Date: 11:00 pm Sunday 31st of May 2020 (end of SWOTVAC)
- LATE ASSIGNMENTS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.