American Science Fiction Literature in the 20th and 21st Century 4219-SC0008

The course will examine the history of the development of literary science fiction in the United States in the 20th and 21st century. During the course students will analyze examples of science-fictional texts that represent different ways of employing classical figures and metaphors of the genre. Particular focus will be paid to an examination of how science fiction literature had changed throughout the years, as a result of a diversification of the field – emergence of new “communities of practice” representing minorities or groups previously marginalized. During the course we will critically discuss different traditions within the genre that challenge its complex relationship with ideology and politics, addressing the many ways in which American science fiction literature is used to voice often radical and countercultural themes that reflect on the changes occurring in contemporary American culture.

Type of course

elective courses

Learning outcomes

1. KNOWLEDGE
- has an in-depth knowledge of the cultural history of American science fiction
- recognized the dynamics and consequences of socio-cultural changes reflected in literary texts
- is aware of the political context of popular literature and the diversity of its readers

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 popular culture
is open to new phenomena and new ideas in the area of popular culture
- has the ability to work in a group and take part in academic debates
- is open to new phenomena and new ideas in the area of popular culture

Assessment criteria

Particular emphasis will be put on students’ active participation in classes – reading the assigned short stories (on average 2 short stories and an accompanying critical text per week; no more than 3 full-length novels per semester). There will be group discussion organized during the classes, students will be invited to prepare short presentations (e.g. biographies of selected authors etc.).

Active participation in classes: 20%
3 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

Primary sources:

Short stories collected in the anthology:
Evans, Arthur B., Istvan Csicsery-Ronay Jr., Joan Gordon, Veronica Hollinger, Rob Latham, and Carol McGuirk (eds). The Wesleyan Anthology of Science Fiction. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 2010.

2-3 SF novels.

Selected critical readings:

 Bould, Mark, Andrew M. Butler, Adam Roberts and Sherryl Vint (eds.). The Routledge Companion to Science Fiction. London and New York: Routledge, 2009.
 Broderick, Damien. Reading by Starlight. Postmodern Science Fiction. New York and London: Routledge, 1995.
 Freedman, Carl. Science Fiction and Critical Theory. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 2000.
 James, Edward. Science Fiction in the Twentieth Century. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1994.
 Lavender, Isiah. Race in American Science Fiction. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2011.
 Lothian, Alexis. Old Futures. Speculative Fiction and Queer Possibility. New York University Press, 2018.
 Luckhurst, Roger. Science Fition. London: Polity Press, 2005.
 Melzer, Patricia. Alien Construction: Science Fiction and Feminist Thought. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2006.
 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.
 Rieder, John. Colonialism and the Emergence of Science Fiction. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 2008.
 Roberts, Adam. The History of Science Fiction. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.
 Link, Eric Carl, and Gerry Canavan (eds.). The Cambridge Companion to American Science Fiction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015.
 Vint, Sherryl. Science Fiction: A Guide for the Perplexed. London & New York: Bloomsbury, 2014.

The syllabus may change.