Sci Fi / Fantasy Literature January 17, 2014

Sci Fi / Fantasy LiteratureJanuary 17, 2014 • Hello and welcome and Happy Friday before a long weekend! • Please grab one of each handout from the Take One Tray. • Today’s agenda: • Finish A.I. Artificial Intelligence / Formative Assessment • Role of Religion in the human world • Rated “R” Movie sheet to everyone who doesn’t have it • Structure of an Argument • “Reason” by Isaac Asimov

A.I.: The Ending. • What… just… happened? • Possible interpretations. • Implications?

A.I. Artificial Intelligence Formative Assessment Directions: After viewing, Steven Spielberg’s film, Artificial Intelligence, write an ACE paragraph in which you: • State a theme for the film related to your requirements for a robot to become a human. • Cite two pieces of evidence from the film of how Spielberg shows these requirements. • Explain how Spielberg uses motifs to illustrate these requirements. Look through your notes on requirements for being human and the notes on motifs to aid you in your explanation of what point Spielberg is trying to make through the character, David. Remember an ACE paragraph means that you must Answer the question, Cite evidence, and then EXPLAIN how your evidence proves you point.

Motifs in A.I. Artificial Intelligence • Layered faces • Character doubles • Circular framing • Circular narrative

What role does religion serve for humanity?

Speaking of Controversy . . . • Towards the end of this unit in a few class periods, the class is going to watch Blade Runner, which is rated “R.” • Because I want to keep my job, no one will be allowed to view the movie without this parental permission slip signed. • If your parents signed it last semester, I am good, but if not, come get one from me today!

Argument • Today, you are going to construct an argument about what Asimov is saying about religion as a concept. • First thing to keep in mind about argument: Someone who is good at arguing, sets aside their belief system. I could argue easily against the necessity of public schooling, even though it would be personally and financially devastating to me to get rid of it. • So, keep in mind as you read and argue, that you aren’t arguing about what you believe about religion or about whether god/religion is true/false/real/imaginary, you are only arguing about what Asimov believes religion to be.

Structure of an Argument: The Hook • The Hook • The hook should grab the reader’s attention • It often establishes a connection between reader and writer and provides background information. • It can be, but is not limited to: an anecdote, an image, a definition, a summary, or a quotation. • Please try not to use a question for a hook.

Structure of an Argument: The Claim • The Claim • The claim comes in the opening section of your paper. • It states what you wish to argue • It can be straightforward and clear. • For purposes of the paragraph we are writing today, use the following formula: Although Isaac Asimov believes religion can be/is ___________________________, his main argument about religion in the short story “Reason” is ____________________________________________________.

Structure of an Argument: Support • Support: • Your support is the reasoning behind your argument. • You provide supporting evidence for your claim (data, quotes, anecdotes, etc.) • You use support to blend together logical and emotional appeals. • In short, you use the ACE (Answer, Cite, and Explain) formula once in a paragraph, and multiple times in a paper.

Structure of an Argument: Concessions and Refutations • Concessions and Refutations • With a concession, you recognize the arguments made by the other side. • A concession builds your credibility. It shows that you can discuss the other side with objectivity. • A concession grants that the other side has some validity. • Following the concession, a refutation argues at length against the opposing viewpoint by proving your side has MORE validity.

Structure of an Argument: Call to Action • Call to Action • It draws your argument to a close, restates your claim, and makes a final appeal to values. • It voices a final plea. • It does not repeat information, but sums up the argument with a few final facts and appeals.

Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics Today, we will be reading another story by Isaac Asimov, the author of “Kid Brother” and numerous other famous robot stories. Asimov conceived what are known as the Three Laws of Robotics: • A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. • A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. • A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

“Reason” by Isaac Asimov • Of the stories that I have read, this story comes closest to being a story about a robot rebelling against its creators in spite of Asimov’s Three Laws. • Mike Donovan and Gregory Powell: Donovan and Powell are two recurring robotics engineers throughout Asimov’s robot stories. They are specialists who go in to problematic or new situations. They also test out new designs of robots. • This story is about a robot (QT1, or “Cutie”) discovering religion. • As you read, annotate any part of the text that refers to belief, creation, faith, or a higher power. We will go back and determine what statements Asimov is using them to make, and whether they are positive or negative.

“Reason” by Isaac Asimov

Sci Fi / Fantasy LiteratureJanuary 16, 2014 • Hello and welcome and Happy Thursday! • Grab a story from the tray. • Today’s agenda: • Review the structure of an argument • Finish reading Asimov’s “Reason” • Collect evidence to develop your argument • Establish a claim • Construct an argument for Asimov’s “Reason” • If time: Begin reading Vonnegut’s “EPICAC”

“Reason” by Isaac Asimov • We left off on page 235. • What’s happened so far? • What is Asimov’s general attitude toward / statement on religion? Do we know?

Argument • You are going to argue the following question: What is Asimov saying about the role of religion in human society based off of the role it plays for Cutie and the robots of this space station? • The Claim: • Although Isaac Asimov believes religion can be/is ___________________________, his main argument about religion in the short story “Reason” is ____________________________________________________.

Although Isaac Asimov believes religion can be/is ___________________________, his main argument about religion in the short story “Reason” is ____________________________________________________. • Although Isaac Asimov believes religion can be/is ___________________________, his main argument about religion in the short story “Reason” is ____________________________________________________. • Although Isaac Asimov believes religion can be/is ___________________________, his main argument about religion in the short story “Reason” is ____________________________________________________. • Although Isaac Asimov believes religion can be/is ___________________________, his main argument about religion in the short story “Reason” is ____________________________________________________.

Your argument • Now that you have a claim, and the details that you can use as citations. Let’s write an argument. Remember, here is what you need: • A Hook: talk about religion’s role from your brainstorming, Asimov’s role as a professor of biochemistry, or whatever you would like to Hook. No questions! • The Claim • Support: you need citation from “Reason” along with your Explanation. • Concession and Refutation: you need citation from “Reason” along with your Explanation for why this is not exactly what he is saying, connect this back to your Claim and the Support • Call to Action: summarize your argument

Sci Fi / Fantasy Literature January 17, 2014