2026-2027 Academic Catalog

Mar 20, 2026

2026-2027 Academic Catalog

ENG 115 - Speculative Fiction

Speculative fiction (more popularly known as science fiction) entertains the “what if” and presents alternative conceptions of history, society, and identity. Committed to exploring the possibilities and limitations of the alternative and the different, these works interrogate established boundaries of identities and provide critical perspectives on prevailing beliefs and ideologies. The course moves chronologically through works that fall loosely under the speculative fiction subgenres of fantasy/horror, alternative histories, future dystopias, and political allegories. We will also devote some attention to formal analysis, specifically the ways in which speculative fiction narratives experiment with and break from traditional literary conventions to offer new ways of perceiving, constructing, and deconstructing our social realities. For English majors, this course satisfies the C-2 requirement.

Please note: This is a device-free course for class meetings. Use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices are not permitted in the classroom. Reading materials will be provided on the course Canvas or via hard-copy handouts, and on the classroom screen.

Course Designation/Attribute: VE, WE

Anticipated Terms Offered: Periodically