ENG 249, 250 - Science Fiction & Fantasy

1 course unit
This course undertakes an in-depth and literary exploration of a few representative texts in the vast genre of Science Fiction/Fantasy.  We pay special attention to the particular ways in which science fiction and fantasy engage with the concerns of the terrestrial present which produces them or in which they are read.  We will consider science fiction as a literary exploration of historical, scientific, social, political, and personal issues under consideration by actual humans in the here (or near here) and now (or not so long ago).  In particular, our syllabus highlights texts that think about ecology and bodily identity.  We also consider Science Fiction/Fantasy as a literary form - a discourse with its own rules, methods, and history.  Readings may include such works as "Bloodchild" by Octavia Butler, The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, The Female Man by Joanna Russ, Dune by Frank Herbert, The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin.
Meets general academic requirement HU (and W when offered as 250).

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