Program Overview

Unit Overview

The Literature of Other Worlds: Fantasy and Science Fiction is a 10-credit point unit that explores a range of fantastic and science fiction narratives from the nineteenth century onwards. This unit encourages students to critically engage with fantasy and science fiction texts by bringing tools of analysis acquired in first year level units to research, discuss and reflect on key debates related to science fiction writing.

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

The unit examines the ways in which science fiction and fantasy dreamscapes reflect and engage with cultural and social concerns such as gender, religion, war through a range of sub-genres such as dark fantasy, cyberpunk and dystopian fiction. The aim of this unit is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to identify and interpret the preoccupations of fantasy and science fiction texts so that they may discuss the ways in which fictional texts reflect or predict the state of society.

Campus Offering

The unit is offered online, with multiple terms available for enrollment.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this unit.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this unit, students will be able to:

• Discuss theoretical approaches towards and textual knowledge of science fiction and fantasy literature
• Communicate clearly in written and/or oral form, in a style appropriate to a specified audience
• Locate, evaluate and appropriately reference a variety of texts relevant to science fiction and fantasy literature in order to develop evidence-based arguments
• Apply the methods that literary theorists have used to research and interpret science fiction and fantasy literature
• Reflect on key debates relating to literary studies over time

Content

Topics covered in the unit include:

• Fantasy, science fiction and dystopian texts
• The origins and development of the genres
• The elastic properties of genre
• Socio-cultural and socio-political implications of specific texts
• Transhumanism
• Critical literary theory
• Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and world Indigenous science fiction and fantasy

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

Assessments for the unit include:

1. Quizzes (30%) to demonstrate knowledge of the history of, and theoretical approaches to, fantasy and science fiction
2. Compilation of Discussion Board Exercises (30%) to engage in continual learning through frequent small discussion exercises
3. Research Essay: Science Fiction or Fantasy (40%) to demonstrate rigorous research skills and application of critical literary theory

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

The unit fosters a learner-centred online environment, utilizing technological support systems such as online quizzes and discussion tools. Student participation in weekly digital activities enhances the student learning experience and builds the online learning community.

Representative Texts and References

A list of representative texts and references is provided, including works by Canavan, DeGraw, Dillon, Fabrizi, Harvey, McArthur, Roberts, Vint, Walliss, and Young.

Locations and Credit Points

The unit is available online and is worth 10 credit points.