Course Description
A survey of British science fiction in literature and film which focuses on the cultural and historical context of selected texts and films. Set text authors studied include Mary Shelley, H.G. Wells, Olaf Stapledon, Arthur C. Clarke, Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, John Wyndham, Anthony Burgess, J.G. Ballard, Brian Aldiss, and John Brunner. A range of other classic and contemporary sci-fiauthors will also be engaged by students in final presentations.
In addition to lectures, this course will consist of student seminars with students engaging the set texts, worksheets and secondary readings. Other classwork will consist primarily of discussion questions.
Course Description
This seminar-based module introduces a wide range of works from the literary canon,
from ancient Greek texts in translation to the contemporary. The emphasis is on
reading and discussing primary texts without being limited to a period, genre or single
approach.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course students should:
- have read a number of works that have been influential in the literary 'canon'
- be aware of the cultural diversity that has informed and continues to inform 'English' literature
- understand how literary genres and forms yield experimentation as well as continuities
- recognize the historicity as well as continuing accessibility of texts from diverse backgrounds
- have improved your historical overview of literature by study of primary texts
- have improved basic skills in written expression and critical analysis
Evaluation
All student seminar course work should be completed in advance of the assigned seminar date. Final essays for each unit of study are due by the assigned date. Late submissions will be given a grade of zero.
The class evaluation will be based on the following:
- 60% - 6 final essays (1000-1500 words)
- 40% - seminar course work
Credit
This module will be taught throughout the semester for an equivalent of 3 credits.
