ENGL 145(F) Reading and Writing Science Fiction (W)

This course will explore some of the themes and techniques of modern science fiction by examining a range of published stories, and by making some new stories of our own. Writers of fiction and non-fiction often watch each other with suspicion, as if from opposing sides of an obvious frontier. Though the goals of both forms of writing--the disciplined articulation of brainy thoughts and mighty feelings--are similar, there is a tendency in both camps to think their methods different and exclusive. The conceit of this class is to imagine that constructing a plot and constructing an argument, say, are complementary skills, and that the tricks and techniques of one type of writing can profitably be applied to the other. With this in mind, the class is made of two strands twisted together--a creative writing workshop, meeting on successive Tuesdays, and a course in critical analysis, meeting on Thursdays. There will be short weekly assignments as well as two larger projects: an original science fiction short story and a critical essay based on the texts we will discuss in class. Assigned readings will include stories by Terry Bisson, Octavia Butler, Kim Stanley Robinson, Elizabeth Hand, Michael Swanwick, Rachel Pollack, Di Filippo, Lucius Shepard, Thomas Disch, John Crowley. Format: discussion/seminar. Requirements: active participation in class and 20 pages of writing, both critical and creative. No prerequisites. Enrollment limit19(expected: 19). Preference to first-year students. This course is writing intensive.

Hour: PARK, P