I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Introduction to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature

2. Course Prefix & Number:
ENGL 1470

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

4. Course Description:

This course is a study of selected works of science fiction and fantasy literature. Focus will be on critical reading and the analysis of the literature. In addition, this course will address issues of historical and contemporary importance such as environmentalism, politics, religion, ethics, technology, individuality and conformity, and economics. By examining these issues through the lens of science fiction and fantasy literature, students will gain an alternative perspective on world history and how these issues affect their individual lives and the culture in which they live.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading College Level CLC or Reading College Level

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Century College, English 2075 Science Fiction and Fantasy, 3 credits
Dakota County Technical College, English 1750 Fantasy and Science Fiction Literature, 3 credits
Rainy River Community College, English 2330 Science Fiction, 3 credits
Ridgewater College, English 0232 Fantasy, Fable, and Science Fiction, 3 credits

 

 

 

III. Course Purpose

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:

• Goal 6 – Humanities and Fine Arts
• Goal 9 – Ethical and Civic Responsibility

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate written communication skills	Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Understand literary works as expressions of individual and human values within a historical and social context.
Apply ethical principles in decision-making	Develop an understanding of reasons behind, and gain an appreciation for, conflicting opinions.
Discuss/compare characteristics of diverse cultures and environments	Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society. Describe and discuss the experience and contributions (political, social, economic, etc.) of the many groups that shape contemporary society and culture, in particular those groups that have suffered discrimination and exclusion.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities (MnTC Goal 6);
• Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within a historical and social context (MnTC Goal 6);
• Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities (MnTC Goal 6);
• Engage in the creative process or interpretive performance (MnTC Goal 6);
• Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities (MnTC Goal 6);
• Examine, articulate, and apply their own ethical views (MnTC Goal 9);
• Understand and apply core concepts (e.g., politics, rights and obligations, justice, liberty) to specific issues (MnTC Goal 9);
• Analyze and reflect on the ethical dimensions of legal, social, and scientific issues (MnTC Goal 9); and
• Recognize the diversity of political motivations and interests of others (MnTC Goal 9).

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. The roots of science fiction and fantasy literature
• Fable and fairytale
• Mary Shelley
• Edgar Allan Poe
2. Understanding the genres of fantasy and science fiction literature
• Dark fantasy
• High fantasy
• Mythic fantasy
• Magical realism
• Hard science fiction
• Social science fiction
• Dystopian science fiction
• Cyberpunk science fiction
3. Narratives that critique: serious issues in entertaining literature
• The power of allegory
• How we see ourselves through fantasy and science fiction
• Heroes
• Victims
• Radicals
• How we see others through fantasy and science fiction
• Monsters
• Aliens
• Cyborgs
• How we understand authority through fantasy and science fiction literature
• Politics
• Religion
• Technology