Aims and Objectives (N.B. This page is under construction)

The design and teaching in this course is based upon collaboration, which allows us to combine our strengths and cover a wider and more diverse field. Students will be expected to participate in this collaboration, by taking an active interest in the course materials, and through regular attendance, preparation which involves readings ahead of the class, and attendance of the viewings of audiovisual materials. We will read some exciting books, watch some interesting films and videos, and discuss these materials in class. 

The purpose of the course is to explore the influence of classical literature upon science fiction, and also to study the beginnings of science fiction in Greek and Roman literature and mythology. We will concentrate on certain aspects of science fiction which are particularly relevant in the context of modern political and social issues, and I hope that this course will be an opportunity for constructive learning and  an enjoyable experience.

Schedule

N.B. Readings are to be completed by the start of the lecture date they appear next to in the syllabus.


Unit One: Paradigms of the Western Tradition

Week #1: Introduction and Theoretical Background

Lecture: What is Science? What is Fiction? 

 

Week#2: Science Fiction and the Classics

Lecture:  A Canticle for Leibowitz (J. Rea)

Viewings: Star Trek Voyager: Muse

 

Week #3: The Progress of Civilizations

Lecture:  The Discovery of Reason, The Beginning of Theatre, and the first science-fiction work: Lucian's True History

Readings: *** Svend Agen Madsen’s “Mnemosyne’s Children”

Ovid, Metamorphosis  on  Daedalus and Vulcan

*** Lucian, A True History

 

Week #4: Greek Mythology, Monsters and Exotic Worlds, Part I

Lecture:  Homer's Odyssey Gods and Monsters in the Odyssey. (Jon Zarecki)

Viewing: Stanley Kubrick's 2001: Space Odyssey

 

Unit Two: Science Fiction and Utopia

Week #5: Greek Mythology, Monsters and Exotic Worlds, Part II

Lecture: Holberg, Herodotus and the Creation of Modern Science Fiction 

Readings: *** Herodotus (selections)

*** 'Voyage to the Land of Wonders' from Ludvig Holberg’s Niels Klim’s Journey to the Underground World

Viewing: The adventures of Baron Munchausen

 

Week #6: Soul and Identity, Part I

Readings: *Plato (selections), *** Galen On the Soul (selections)

Viewings: Bladerunner

 

Week #7: Soul and Identity, Part II

QUIZ ON P.K. DICK DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?

Lecture: What is Personal Identity? 

Readings: P.K. Dick Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

 

Week #8: Midterm Exam

 

Unit Three: Science Fiction and Satire

Week #9: Comedy and Science Fiction, Part I

QUIZ ON ARISTOPHANES ECCLESIAZOUSAI

Lecture:  The Origins of Comedy in Science Fiction 

Readings: Aristophanes Ecclesiazousai

Petronius’ Saytricon (Chapters 4 and 5)

Viewings: Star Trek Next Generation,  “Angel One”

 

Week #10: SPRING BREAK

 

Week 11: Comedy and Science Fiction, Part II

QUIZ ON GERD BRANTENBURG EGALIA'S DAUGHTERS

Lecture:  Science Fiction, Politics and the Roman Empire 

Readings: Gerd Brantenburg’s Egalia’s Daughters'

 

Week #12: Comedy and Science Fiction, Part III

Lecture: Why we Laugh: Comic Uses of Status, Gender and Appearance 

Readings: Gerd Brantenburg’s Egalia’s Daughters

 

Unit Four: The Concept of Society in Science Fiction

Week #13: Individualism vs. Authoritarianism, Part I

Viewings: Star Trek, First Contact

Discussion: (J. Zarecki)

 

Week #14 Individualism vs. Authoritarianism, Part II

QUIZ ON J.A. GARDINER HUNTED

Lecture: An Ambivalent Society 

Readings: James Alan Gardiner’s Hunted; *** Thucydides 'The Melian Dialogue'

Viewings: Star Trek Voyager, Scorpion

 

Week#15: Final Exam