I must be doing something right.
R2-D2 photo from Dakota |
Students who have attended my Science Fiction and Fantasy
class email me, text me, post messages to me and even call me about something
we have read or have seen in class. Right before I wrote this, Dakota (class of
2012), sent me a picture of R2-D2 from a gas station in Mt Pleasant. It’s in
great condition too.
In the class, I share my journey of my scifi-geekness. I
tell them about my awakening with Stars
Wars back in 1977, where my dad, not a Science Fiction fan, took us to see Star Wars, and I sat opened eyed through
the whole movie.
Book cover of Princess of Mars, by Michael Whelan, 1979 |
I tell them how Steve, a high school buddy, introduced me to
Dungeons and Dragons and the author, Edgar Rice Burroughs who authored the
Tarzan series and the Barsoom Series. You will know Barsoom very soon with the
release of Disney’s John Carter of Mars (See post on Sept 3, 2011)
We also look at patterns of wishes, the twists of short
stories by Asimov and Sheckley and delve into the mystery and intrigue with 2001: A Space Odyssey. I have fun with
2001 because some student threaten to use it to punish their future children
when they are bad (Paige, class of 2011), but they will also contact me when
they see a similarity or reference to the movie.
I have a painting of HAL’s eye from Rebecca (class of 2007,
I think). In fact, another student sent me an email about an article she had to
read in her education class where 2001 was referenced. And, of course, I have
received a few harassing posts (all in fun) on Facebook from other students
telling me they saw a reference of 2001 in movies like Willie Wonka or Phineus and
Ferb. When I receive these, I laugh and say my work is done.
Thanks to 2001, I have had a couple movie nights with former
students watching Kubrick (Ryan and other, class of 2009).
One of the Best of all time. |
Yes, it is a fun class. And with the continual contact from
past students, I must have done something right.
Haha thanks for the mention! And love the article! So true. I think about that class often!
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