Swedish name: Alternativa världar i engelskspråkig spekulativ fiktion
This syllabus is valid: 2024-08-05 and until further notice
Course code: 1EN090
Credit points: 7.5
Education level: Second cycle
Main Field of Study and progress level:
English: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Grading scale: Three-grade scale
Responsible department: Department of Language Studies
Established by: Faculty director of studies, Faculty of arts, 2022-03-23
Revised by: Head of Department of Language Studies, 2024-03-19
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.
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
* account for and exemplify representations of alternative worlds in a selection of speculative fiction;
* explain how the course's theme areas are expressed in the course material;
* account for and discuss modern literary criticism and relevant literary theories;
Competence and skills
* independently analyze literary source material;
* relate their own findings to relevant research to forward a scholarly argument;
* in writing communicate primary and secondary source analyses at an advanced academic level;
Judgement and approach
* critically evaluate primary sources as expressions mediating or questioning social, cultural and environmental norms;
* critically evaluate scholarly argumentation;
* critically evaluate culturally and temporally bound positions in both primary and secondary material.
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/English Course B.
Independent studies and group discussions via the learning platform. The student is expected to actively participate in discussions and complete assigned written tasks. This is to be done within given time frames. The medium of instruction is English and knowledge of Swedish is not required
All examination is conducted in English.
The examiner can decide on deviations from the modes of examination in the syllabus for a student who has been determined eligible for pedagogical support due to a disability. Individual adjustments to the mode of examination will be made on the basis of the student's needs. The mode of examination will be adjusted in relation to the expected learning outcomes. Student in need of Individual adjustments to the mode of examination, should request this at the department no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner makes a decision based on the request, and the decision is communicated to the student.
Grades awarded for Module 1 are Pass (Godkänd (G)) or Fail (Underkänd (U)). Grades awarded for Modules 2 and 3 are Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd (VG)), Pass (G) or Fail (U). A grade of Pass with Distinction (VG) is required in modules 2 and 3 to receive Pass with Distinction (VG) for the whole course.
A student who has been awarded a Pass grade cannot be re-examined.
A student who has not received a Pass grade on an exam has the right to re-take the exam (a re-sit) on a course on which they have ever been registered. The first re-sit shall be offered no later than two months after the regular exam, but no earlier than ten working days after the result of that exam has been announced. For tests held in May or June, the first re-sit may be offered within three months of the regular exam. The date for the re-sit shall be announced no later than in conjunction with the regular exam.
At least one more re-sit shall be offered within a year of the regular exam.
In cases where an exam cannot be repeated according to the rules in effect regarding re-sits, it will be replaced with another task. The scope and content of such a task should be reasonably proportionate to the missed exam.
The final date for the submission/completion of assignments falls on the last day of the semester, unless otherwise stated by the teacher. All assignments need to be completed or submitted within the time frame set by the teacher in order to be considered for examination, otherwise they must be completed over again.
In the event of a decision that the course will no longer be offered, or if the syllabus has been revised, students are guaranteed at least three exams (including the regular one) based on the previous syllabus during a time of no more than two years after the previous syllabus ceased to apply or the decision was made that the course no longer be offered.
Aldiss Brian W.
Supertoys last all summer long, and other stories of future time
1st St. Martin's Griffin ed. : New York : St. Martin's Griffin : 2001 : xix, 232 pages :
http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0623/2001031837-b.html
ISBN: 0312280610
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Reading instructions: or the e-book-edition:
Aldiss, Brian
Supertoys Trilogy
Harper Collins pb, 2014, e-bok
ISBN: 9780007580477
Burke Sue
Semiosis : a novel of first contact
Paperback original edition : London : Harper Voyager : [2018] : 325 sidor :
ISBN: 9780008300777
Mandatory
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Itäranta Emmi
Memory of water : a novel
First edition : New York : Harper Voyager : [2014] : 266 pages :
ISBN: 9780062326157
Mandatory
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Pulley Natasha
The Bedlam stacks
Paperback edition : New York : Bloomsbury Publishing : 2018 : 337 sidor :
https://s2.adlibris.com/images/32107747/the-bedlam-stacks.jpg
ISBN: 9781620409695
Mandatory
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Additional texts, comprising about 150 pages, are available electronically via Umeå University Library, or via the learning platform. Mandatory.
Le Guin Ursula K.
The left hand of darkness
London : Gollancz : 2018 : xxi, 304 s. :
ISBN: 9781473225947
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Miller Sam J.
Blackfish City
London, England : Orbit : 2018 : 328 pages :
ISBN: 0356510042
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VanderMeer Jeff
Borne
New York : MCD/Farrar, Straus and Giroux : 2018 : 348 sidor :
https://s1.adlibris.com/images/30762177/borne.jpg
ISBN: 9780374537654
Search the University Library catalogue