Alternative Worlds in Anglophone Speculative Fiction 7.5 credits

About the course

In the broad genre of speculative fiction, the reader encounters alternative worlds that in various ways contrast to reality. Contemporary hopes and fears are starting points for imaginings connected to technological developments but also to social, cultural and environmental concerns. Through analyses of a selection of texts, this literary studies course examines how Anglophone speculative fiction offers unique ways of perceiving and critically addressing a host of concerns linked to areas such as environment and climate, identity, kinship formations, and artificial intelligence.

This syllabus is a translation of Alternativa världar i engelskspråkig spekulativ fiktion, 7,5 hp. If there are discrepancies between the English and Swedish versions, the Swedish version is the legally binding document.

The course consists of a short introductory module, followed by specialized studies and a concluding longer essay.

Introduction (1 hp)
AI, climate, and kinship (4 hp)
Essay (2,5 hp)

Show syllabus

Apply

Spring 2027
- Alternative Worlds in Anglophone Speculative Fiction
  
  Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
  
  VT27 / Varied / English / Web-based (online)
  
  Application opens 15 September 2026
  
  Save education at universityadmissions.se
  
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  Starts
  25 March 2027
  
  Ends
  6 June 2027
  
  Number of credits
  7.5 credits
  
  Type of studies
  Web-based (online)
  
  Mandatory meetings
  No mandatory meetings
  
  Other meetings
  None
  
  Study pace
  50%
  
  Teaching hours
  Mixed
  
  Study location
  Varied
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-14000
  
  Outline for distance course
  
  All communication is via the course learning platform. Access to a computer with broadband internet connection is required for participating in and completing the course tasks.
  
  Eligibility
  
  Univ: At least 90 ECTS including at least 15 ECTS with academic progression (corresponding to level 61-90 hp in the Swedish academic system) in English, or equivalent knowledge. To be accepted to the course, the applicant must have previously completed introduction and intermediate level courses in English literature at university level, or equivalent knowledge. Alternatively, 90 ECTS in Swedish Comparative Literature. Knowledge of English equivalent of English 6/level 2.
  
  Selection
  
  Academic credits awarded by application deadline (HPAV 30-285 ECTS)
  
  Application
  The online application opens 15 September 2026 at 09:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 October 2026. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 12,075
  
  Total fee: SEK 12,075
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding

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