What makes an imagined world real? This course surveys popular fiction texts responsible for seismic shifts in the development of their genres. Two units, one on Science Fiction and the other on Fantasy, are presented in chronological fashion, encouraging students to consider historical context and the influence popular writers had on each other as they collaborated to solidify generic norms. What have writers of Fantasy and Science Fiction considered to be good Fantasy and Science Fiction? How did these opinions change? In general terms, no one has agreed! And everyone has opinions! As we read each of the primary literary texts, we will consider them alongside contemporary theory and fiction that their authors and readers knew. Possible authors of study include Lewis Carroll, J.R.R Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Aldous Huxley, Frank Herbert, and William Gibson. Literary works will be studied alongside theorists such as Gwyneth Jones, Sigmund Freud, Tolkien, and Samuel Delany.
Readings
TBA
Assessment
- Midterm Exam (20%)
- 2 Reflection Assignments (10% each)
- Term Paper (30%)
- Final Exam (30%)
**Subject to change**
Prerequisites
- Level 2 or above or 6.0 units of ENGL
