552.290 (21S) Topics in British Cultural Studies: A Literature of Ideas - New Themes and Concepts of Contemporary Science Fiction

Sommersemester 2021

Registration deadline has expired.

First course session
03.03.2021 10:00 - 12:00 online Off Campus
... no further dates known

Overview

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be necessary to make changes to courses and examinations at short notice (e.g. cancellation of attendance-based courses and switching to online examinations).

For further information regarding teaching on campus, please visit: https://www.aau.at/en/corona.
Lecturer
LV Nummer Südostverbund ENM02001UL
Course title german Topics in British Cultural Studies: A Literature of Ideas - New Themes and Concepts of Contemporary Science Fiction
Type Proseminar (continuous assessment course )
Course model Online course
Hours per Week 2.0
ECTS credits 3.0
Registrations 31 (25 max.)
Organisational unit
Language of instruction English
Course begins on 03.03.2021
eLearning Go to Moodle course

Time and place

Please note that the currently displayed dates may be subject to change due to COVID-19 measures.
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Course Information

Intended learning outcomes

By way of hands-on lecture input, student projects and presentations as well as self-directed studying, students will practice and thus acquire critical/cultural thinking skills that will help them develop a critical understanding and appreciation of Sci-Fi-related literary/media texts and its various facets.

Teaching methodology including the use of eLearning tools

Dynamic lecture inputs for theoretical and basic background; close readings of reading assignments; in-class discussions; presentations (topic of student choice)... and much more!

Course content

According to Gilks, Fleming and Allen, Science fiction (Sci-Fi) is a genre of speculative fiction, usually dealing with imaginative concepts such as advanced science and technology, time travel, spaceflight, and extraterrestrial life. Science fiction has come a long way since its early days, when Isaac Asimov defined it as "that branch of literature which is concerned with the impact of scientific advance upon human beings" (Modern Science Fiction, 1953). By the 70s, the genre of science-based ideas had grown; it wasn't just concerned with science, but with consequences. It asked "what if?" What if a world existed in which this or that were true? Pamela Sargent dubbed it "the literature of ideas." Fiction is any story or setting that is derived from imagination—in other words, not based strictly on history or fact. A work of fiction implies the inventive act of world building, so its audience does not typically expect it to be totally faithful to the real world in presenting only characters who are actual people or descriptions that are factually true. Characters and events within a fictional work may even be set in their own context entirely separate from the known universe: an independent fictional universe.

Primarily tackling unique themes and concepts of (science) fiction, drama, film and, at times, other related topics, students are encouraged to learn the basic principles, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of literary texts and more. Specific examples will then highlight the importance of taking a closer look at what makes analyzing science fiction so fascinating.

Carefully chosen examples which make the subject easier to understand and highlight specific themes and concepts: to be announced (in class).

Important: Please check the syllabus on Moodle for further information!

Prior knowledge expected

No prior knowledge required.

Literature

Reading packets will be provided in digital form on a regular basis. There is no need to buy any books.

Examination information

Im Fall von online durchgeführten Prüfungen sind die Standards zu beachten, die die technischen Geräte der Studierenden erfüllen müssen, um an diesen Prüfungen teilnehmen zu können.

Examination methodology

Active participation in class and at home; presentation; written assignment (term paper/critical reflection)

Examination topic(s)

Active participation, presentation and written assignment: Documentation, analysis and critical reflection.

Presentation and written assignment: Topic of student choice (must be connected to the topics of this course).

For further information, please join the Welcome Session!

Assessment criteria / Standards of assessment for examinations

The written assignment complies with criteria explained during lecture. The final grade is an aggregate (three pillars of assessment):

30% active participation (in class and at home)

40% presentation (of student project)

30% written assignment (term paper/critical reflection)

Grading scheme

Grade / Grade grading scheme

Position in the curriculum

  • Bachelor-Lehramtsstudium Bachelor Unterrichtsfach Englisch (SKZ: 407, Version: 17W.2)
    • Subject: Anglophone Cultural History and Theory (Compulsory subject)
      • ENM.002 Topics in British Cultural Studies ( 2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
        • 552.290 Topics in British Cultural Studies: A Literature of Ideas - New Themes and Concepts of Contemporary Science Fiction (2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 4., 5., 6. Semester empfohlen
  • Bachelor-Lehramtsstudium Bachelor Unterrichtsfach Englisch (SKZ: 407, Version: 15W.2)
    • Subject: Anglophone Cultural History and Theory (Compulsory subject)
      • ENM.002 Topics in British Cultural Studies ( 2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
        • 552.290 Topics in British Cultural Studies: A Literature of Ideas - New Themes and Concepts of Contemporary Science Fiction (2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 4., 5., 6. Semester empfohlen
  • Bachelor-Lehramtsstudium Bachelor Unterrichtsfach Englisch (SKZ: 407, Version: 19W.2)
    • Subject: Anglophone Cultural History and Theory (Compulsory subject)
      • ENM.002 Topics in British Cultural Studies ( 2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
        • 552.290 Topics in British Cultural Studies: A Literature of Ideas - New Themes and Concepts of Contemporary Science Fiction (2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 4., 5., 6. Semester empfohlen
  • Bachelor's degree programme English and American Studies (SKZ: 612, Version: 15W.3)
    • Subject: Fachliches Grundstudium Culture (Compulsory subject)
      • 6.1 Topics in British Cultural Studies ( 0.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
        • 552.290 Topics in British Cultural Studies: A Literature of Ideas - New Themes and Concepts of Contemporary Science Fiction (2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 2. Semester empfohlen

Equivalent courses for counting the examination attempts

There is no equivalent course for the purpose of counting examination attempts.