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Literature and Theatre

Exploring Science Fiction (Non-credit)

Course Times & Enrolment

Wednesdays from 23rd April 2025 (Code LI355-301) Add to Basket Wednesdays from
23rd April 2025 2:10pm - 4:00pm • (10 classes) LG47 Paterson's Land, Holyrood Campus • Tutor: Rolland Man BA MA MSc
£195.00 Concessions and discounts

Course Summary

Science fiction is a rich and exciting genre that uses the development and inventions of science and new technology to explore fundamental questions regarding what it means to be human. This course explores a number of great works of science fiction across the 20th century.

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No prior knowledge required.

Content of Course

Using literature as a starting point for wider discussions about society, we will look at a number of significant authors and novels in the science fiction genre through lectures, guided close reading and discussion. Authors include Ursula le Guin, Isaac Asimov and Philip K. Dick.

Teaching method(s)

Lecture and guided close reading and discussion. Reading of the set texts is essential.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of the vocabulary and narrative conventions of science fiction;

  • Discuss the history of science fiction, its cultural and political context, and of contemporary developments in the field;

  • Read actively rather than passively.

Sources

Core Readings

Students are advised to wait until the course has been confirmed to run before purchasing any of the recommended books.

Essential:

  • Asimov I. (2018) I, Robot. New York: HarperCollins
  • Dick, P. K. (2017) Ubik. London: Orion
  • Le Guin, U. (2023) The Lathe of Heaven. London: Orion
  • Abe, K. (2023) The Ark Sakura. London: Penguin
  • Morgan, R. K. (2018) Altered Carbon. London: Orion
  • Sorokin, V. (2018) Day of the Oprichnik. London: Penguin

Web Sources

http://www.sfhub.ac.uk

SF hub, hosted by the University of Liverpool, provides a plethora of sources for scholars interested in science fiction

Class Handouts

Handouts will be provided.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.