The Great What-If: Sci-Fi Camp (Heinlein, Vonnegut, Bates)

In this one week camp, the students will explore three of the classic short stories in science fiction.  Students will read each short story before class begins.  Each lesson will cover some basic biographical information about the writer and the historical/cultural background needed to analyze the story.  Then we explore how the writer used their "What if..." to structure their short story.  Finally we will spend a significant amount of each class discussing the ethical and scientific issues that the story brings to light. 

In lesson 1 we will cover "By His Bootstraps" by Robert Heinlein (writing as Anson MacDonald).  This classic early story on time travel spawned and illustrated one of the most complex paradoxes in time travel literature.  We will discuss the problem of causality in time travel.  https://www.uky.edu/~mwa229/Bootstraps.pdf

In lesson 2 we will cover "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut.  This classic of American Literature describe a world where deliberate handicaps make everyone equal.  Our ethical discussion will focus on the practicality of equality in modern society. 
http://www.tnellen.com/westside/harrison.pdf

In lesson 3 we will cover "Farewell to the Master" by Harry Bates.  Bates was one of the early editors of the magazines that made science fiction famous and this is his best known story covering the idea of extraterrestrials.  We will not only discuss the question of the existence of extraterrestrials but how or if humanity should interact with them. 
http://web.archive.org/web/20140727101426/http:/thenostalgialeague.com/olmag/bates-farewell-to-the-master.html

Because of COPPA regulations, I am not able to recommend links to read these stories to students under 13 at this time.  In the introduction post, I will post filess of each story.  If you are interested in reading the stories ahead of time, parents and learners over 13 can find the material by googling the author, title, and the words PDF. 

This is a discussion intensive course. All students are expected to interact with respect and civility.  I understand that the material is controversial and expect and welcome disagreement, but kindness facilitates productive and persuasive conversation.  If a student finds reading and writing difficult, I am willing for them to access the material in audio format.  Please contact me with any questions concerning accommodations.