American New Wave Science Fiction 4219-SC097
New Wave writers turned away from the “hard” sciences, the emphasis of earlier “pulp” science fiction, and instead focused their attention on emerging “soft” sciences (psychology, anthropology, sociology). New Wave writers often used science fiction to challenge unspoken cultural assumptions about sex, race, gender, and other normative cultural values. Contrary to the optimism of “pulp” sf from previous decades, they expressed critical views on technological progress, American imperialism and colonialism, or the influence of mass media and new technologies on everyday life.
In the course we will be discussing the most important reoccurring themes and topics of the New Wave, including sexuality and gender norms, social fears (e.g. overpopulation, nuclear fears), environmental issues and ecology, critique of mass media, spirituality and mind-altering psychedelic substances, and look at how the pessimism of the New Wave still influences the science-fictional imagination today.
Type of course
Learning outcomes
1. KNOWLEDGE
- has an in-depth knowledge of the cultural history of American New Wave science fiction literature from the 1960s and 70s
- recognized the dynamics and consequences of socio-cultural changes reflected in literary texts
- is aware of the evolution of science fiction literature and its diversity
2. SKILLS
- is able to use theoretical knowledge for analyzing various kinds of cultural products characteristic for science fiction
- correctly employs tools for critical analysis
- is able to prepare written papers employing theoretical, historical and cultural knowledge
3. COMPETENCES
- completes and improves his or her knowledge of American 20th century science fiction
- understands social, cultural, and political processes influencing the production and reception of popular culture
- is open to new phenomena and new ideas in the area of popular culture in the 20th and 21st centuries
Assessment criteria
Active participation in classes: 20%
Short response papers to assigned readings: 30%
Final paper: 50%
In order to pass the course, the student must receive a minimal score of 60%.
Bibliography
We will be reading and analyzing short stories and novels written by American New Wave writers such as Harlan Ellison, Philip K. Dick, Ursula K. Le Guin, Robert Silverberg, Samuel R. Delany, Joanna Russ, Pamela Zoline and Thomas M. Disch.
Critical literature (selection):
Bould, Mark, Andrew M. Butler, Adam Roberts and Sherryl Vint (eds.) The Routledge Companion to Science Fiction. London and New York: Routledge, 2009
Butler, Andrew W. Solar Flares. Science Fiction in the 1970s. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2012
Larbalestier, Justine. The Battle of the Sexes in Science Fiction. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 2002.
Luckhurst, Roger. Science Fition. London: Polity Press, 2005.
Merrick, Helen. The Secret Feminist Cabal: A Cultural History of Science Fiction Feminisms. Seattle, WA: Aqueduct Press, 2009.
Pearson, Wendy Gay, Veronica Hollinger and Joan Gordon (eds). Queer Universes: Sexualities and Science Fiction. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2008.
Link, Eric Carl, and Gerry Canavan (eds.). The Cambridge Companion to American Science Fiction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: