Science Fiction

Catalog description

The goal of this course is to, through various theoretical approaches, teach students the necessary analytical skills required to read below the surface of a text. By learning to semiotically read science fiction texts the students will be able to apply their knowledge to any form of literature. Using short fiction alongside novels and some cyber-text (i.e., fan fiction), we can see how the different forms inform one another and also analyze each form’s shortcomings and strengths with regard to the subject matter. Texts will come from a variety of literary eras, science fiction genres, and authors from a wide array of backgrounds (including non-Western).