Introduction to Science Fiction

Dozent/in:

Igor Almeida Ferreira Baldoino

Angaben:

Seminar/Proseminar/Übung, 2 SWS, ECTS: 6, Studium Generale

Termine:

Mi, 10:15 - 11:45, Raum n.V.

Voraussetzungen / Organisatorisches:

1. Module Allocation:

1.1 Seminar
BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik: Aufbaumodul Literaturwissenschaft / Ergänzungsmodul Literaturwissenschaft /freie Erweiterung: Seminar 6 ECTS
BA Berufliche Bildung: Basis/Aufbaumodul Literaturwissenschaft: Seminar 6 ECTS
LA GS/HS/MS/RS: Basis/Aufbaumodul Literaturwissenschaft (b): Seminar 6 ECTS
LA GY: Aufbaumodul Literaturwissenschaft: Seminar 6 ECTS

1.2 Übung:
all modules including an obligatory/optional reading tutorial (Übung) for literature in
LA GS/HS/MS/RS/GY
BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik
MA English and American Studies
MA WiPäd
Erweiterungsbereich English and American Studies

open for Consolidation Module Literature (Übung)
open for Ergänzungsmodule Literaturwissenschaft

2. (De)Registration:
in FlexNow! (except for guest auditors): 01.03.2021, 10:00 - 25.04.2021, 23:59
guest auditors: please contact lecturer

Inhalt:

Science Fiction is a worldwide popular and influential genre in not only literature but also film and other media. A genre of speculative fiction, or also known as “literature of ideas”, Sci-Fi captivates readers with stories that stretch one’s sense of wonder and imagination. In addition to its entertainment qualities, the genre also allows for a critique on the relationship between human kind and the environment, society and technology. Therefore, it is no wonder this type of fiction has been used as a form of social protest.
Because of the genre’s vastness, the concepts and themes it addresses are also numerous, making it complex to be defined. Thus, throughout this course we shall be introduced to the Science Fiction genre and its long history, study the common elements which compose it and analyse how issues such as those of gender, identity, race (amongst others) are represented and speculated upon.
We shall start with an overview of Shelley’s Frankenstein, considered a mark in the development of the genre, and progressively make our way through the 19th and 20th centuries, for instance, with the works of H. G. Wells who popularised the genre with ideas of time-travel, people on the moon and war between worlds; or Huxley (and later Piercy) and his take on reproductive technology; and Asimov who wrote, amidst many things, about robots and their place in society among humans.

Empfohlene Literatur:

To be read prior to the semester begin:
Wells, H. G. Time Machine.
Wells, H. G. War of the Worlds.

To be read during the semester:
Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World.
Asimov, Isaac. I, Robot.
Dick, Philip K. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Le Guin, Ursula K. The left Hand of Darkness.
Piercy, Marge. Woman on the Edge of Time.

Nachholtermine EngLit

Dozentinnen/Dozenten:

Christoph Houswitschka, Igor Almeida Ferreira Baldoino, Kerstin-Anja Münderlein

Angaben:

Seminar

Termine:

Do, 18:00 - 20:00, Raum n.V.