SFE20714 English: Science Fiction: The Future as History (Autumn 2014)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Obligatory subject within the 90 study credits English Extension Course. May be taken as part of the bachelor programme in Society, Language and Culture.

Prerequisites

The one-year English program (60 ECTS credits), or equivalent knowledge of English.

Lecture Semester

Autumn

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

KNOWLEDGE
Students are familiar with the historical and literary context of Science Fiction (SF). In doing so, it will trace the connections between SF and its contemporary trends and issues. This will provide a basis for students to understand how SF may provide social and political criticism of the time in which it is written, as well as envisage future developments.

SKILLS
Students understand how SF makes use of the fields of history, literature and science to create its unique visions.

GENERAL COMPETENCE
In an age in which the pace of technological change is increasing, this course will provide students with tools to evaluate and manage the impact such developments have on our societies and our individual perspectives. In all these activities, students will be encouraged to explore the rich world of SF through the choice of literature and films.

Content

After a brief review of the historical roots of this literary form, the course focuses on the period from the classic 'Golden Age' and up to contemporary American Science Fiction (1945 to the present), also drawing on selected works of British SF authors. The course is interdisciplinary in its approach; that is, lectures and seminars will make use of selected novels, short stories, and films, as well as historical, sociological, scientific and literary texts to provide students with a foundation from which they can form a critical and independent view of the genre.

Forms of teaching and learning

Teaching includes lectures, seminars and advisory sessions.
Students are expected to be well prepared for the lectures and take an active part in them.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

One analytical essay of 1000 to 1500 words on a subject chosen in consultation with the course lecturer.
The coursework must be approved before registering for the final exam.

Examination

Individual written and oral examination
A three hour written examination. Permitted aid: English-English dictionary
Students then will sit for an oral examination (approx. 30 minutes) based on their analytical essay and the course curriculum. 
The oral exam may adjust the final result by until two steps on the A-F grading scale.

Course evaluation

The course ist evaluated twice in the semester.

Literature

Novels:

The Time Machine, H. G. Wells (1895)

Foundation, Isaac Asimov (1951)

The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula Le Guin (1969)

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley

Blood Music, Greg Bear (1985)

Short Stories:

“There Will Come Soft Rains”, Ray Bradbury (1951)   

“Flowers For Algernon”, Daniel Keyes (1959)

“Eutopia“ by Poul Anderson (1967)

“Story of Your Life”, Ted Chiang (1998)

"Evil Robot Monkey", Mary Robinette Kowal (2008)

Films:

Required :

2001, A Space Odyssey, 1968

Blade Runner, 1982

The Matrix, 1999

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 2004

District Nine, 2009

A Scanner darkly, 2006

Theoretical and Historical Texts:

Contemporary American Science Fiction, The Age of Maturity 1970-2000, Darren Harris-Fain (2005)

Compendium selections from:

Anatomy of Wonder; A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, (2004) Neil Barron

Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory, (2004, 3d) eds. Andrew Bennett & Nicholas Royle

The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, (1993) eds. John Clute & Peter Nicholls

The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction, (2003) eds. Edward James & Farah Mendelsohn

Science Fiction, Roger Luckhurst (2005)

The Mammoth Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, (2001) ed. George Mann

The History of Science Fiction, Adam Roberts (2005)

A Companion to Science Fiction, (2005) ed. David Seed