🚀 SU2024 Course: Topics in Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Course Description: Science fiction as a genre is ever-changing; most associate it with the 1980s, Star Trek, aliens, advanced technology, etc. Fantasy, even more so: we might think of Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, orcs, elves, dragons and prophecies. While these associations may not be wrong, these genres are dense and full of unique texts that feel distinct, despite borrowing elements of previous works and they often overlap and coalesce with each other. In this course, we will read (and watch) a number of important 21st century science fiction and fantasy texts as well as explore some of their roots and examine how the genres have changed, and merged, over time. As we explore these questions of genre, we will of course also discuss major themes of the texts and what they might teach us about the society we live in today.

Reading List: Sci-Fi: Harlan Ellison, "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream." Ted Chiang, "Story of Your Life." Denis Villeneuve, Arrival. Roxane Gay, "The Sacrifice of Darkness." Edward Hoch, "The Zoo." 

Fantasy: N. K. Jemisin, The Killing Moon. Anne McCaffrey, "The Smallest Dragonboy." Hans Christian Anderson, "The Snow Queen." Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, Frozen.  Gabriel Marcia Marquez, "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings."

Science Fantasy: George Lucas, Star Wars: A New Hope.  Neil Gaimen, "How to Talk to Girls at Parties."