English 189-1 - Fall, 2013

Seminar in Literary Studies

Topic: Speculative Fiction

Class Information

Instructor: Jerng, Mark
CRN: 32483
Time: MW 3:10-4:30
Location: 308 Voorhies

Description

Speculative fiction is a term that has come to describe works in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. ‘Speculation’ is a word that has its origins in the idea of looking and observing, but has taken on additional registers of meaning in the realm of economics and knowledge-formation. Through a series of literary examples, this seminar will explore the intersections of the genre of speculative fiction and the act of speculation. In what ways has speculative fiction changed the way we see the world? In what senses has it created new epistemologies, new ontologies, new ways of interacting with the world? We will start with a unit on H.G. Wells and Octavia Butler’s vampire novel with the question of speculating about the relationships between humans and other species. Then we will move on to speculations on the vagaries of personal identity with Samuel Delany's Dhalgren. Our final topic will be on alternative histories and times, using novels by Philip K. Dick and David Mitchell.

Grading

Blog Posts
Seminar Presentations
Rough Draft
Research Paper

Texts

Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell
Island of Dr. Moreau, H.G. Wells
The Man In The High Castle, Philip K. Dick
Dhalgren, Samuel Delany
Fledgling, Octavia Butler