Course syllabus
Speculative Fiction and Climate Justice: Imagining Futures, 7.5 credits
Course code: | EN042G | Credits: | 7.5 |
---|---|---|---|
Main field of study: | English | Progression: | G1F |
Last revised: | 13/03/2024 | ||
Education cycle: | First cycle | Approved by: | Head of school |
Established: | 13/12/2022 | Reading list approved: | 13/03/2024 |
Valid from: | Autumn semester 2024 | Revision: | 2 |
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to
- identify and discuss central themes and narrative techniques in fiction (literature, film, and tv-series) that are set in future worlds, and
- critically reflect on the possibilities of narratives of futures to stimulate creative and critical responses to current global challenges of climate change and loss of biodiversity as well as social justice and democracy.
Content
In this course, we explore English language literature, film, and tv-series from different parts of the world, from the 1970s to the present, that imaginatively reinvent our futures in ways that brings into focus both problems and possibilities in our present. We take as our starting point the idea that fiction can be a resource for change, through making us abandon the idea of the future as just more of the same. We will discuss works that challenge our ideas of what the future can hold and in doing so also asks us to re-examine our present. We live in a world where climate change, loss of biodiversity, and social and economic inequality can generate feelings of hopelessness.The futures imagined may not always be hopeful, but they all encourage us to think imaginatively and critically about the kind of future that could be possible.
Examinations and grades
Imagining Futures I, 4.5 credits (Code: A002)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).
Imagining Futures II, 3 credits (Code: A003)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).
According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).
In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.
The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).
Comments on grades
To pass the whole course, at least the grade E is required for each examination.
Grades A-E are converted to numbers 5-1. A weighted average mark is then generated based on the module credits of each part of the course. The full course grade is thus the result of a balanced average of the different parts of the course.
Grade A is given when the average mark is at least 4.5.
Grade B is given when the average mark is at least 3.5 but lower than 4.5.
Grade C is given when the average mark is at least 2.5 but lower than 3.5.
Grade D is given when the average mark is at least 1.5 but lower than 2.5.
Grade E is given when the average mark is lower than 1.5.
Modes of assessment
Imagining Futures I, 4.5 credits (Code: A002)
Written examination.
Imagining Futures II, 3 credits (Code: A003)
Written assignment.
Comments on modes of assessment
Examination deadline
An examination shall be carried out at the time decided by the university. If an examination, which involves that the student can do the assignment in another place than in the university's premises (for example take-home examination), can not be submitted on time, the examiner decides how the examination shall be handled.
Supplementary assignments for a passing grade
The examiner may decide that a student who has not received a passing grade on the examination may submit supplementary assignments instead of taking a re-examination. Supplementary assignments must be carried out according to the teacher’s instructions and submitted to the teacher within one week after the student is notified of the failing grade.
For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other modes of assessment.
For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.
Specific entry requirements
30 credits from first-cycle courses in English, Literary studies, or Film studies. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.
For further information, see the university's admission regulations.
Other provisions
Language of instruction
Teaching is conducted in English and the examinations are conducted in English.
Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.
Transitional provisions
Students who have commenced but not completed the course as prescribed in the version of the syllabus in force in the fall semester 2023, are entitled to take the course examinations within a period of 12 to 18 months from 2024-09-02.
Reading list and other learning resources
Required Reading
Martin, Mark, ed. (2011)
I’m with the Bears
Verso.
Additional Reading
The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, (2008)
Additions and Comments
3-4 of the works listed below are read in accordance with instructions from the teacher.
Anders, Charlie Jane (2016)*
All the Birds in the Sky
Butler, Octavia (1993)*
Parable of the Sower
Chambers, Becky (2021)*
A Psalm for the Wild-Built
Chambers, Becky (2018)*
Record of a Spaceborn Few
Doctorow, Cory (2023)*
The Lost Cause
Erdrich, Louise. (2017)*
Future Home of the Living God
Lai, Larissa (2018)*
The Tiger Flu
Okorafor, Nnedi (2020)*
Binti: The Complete Trilogy
Piercy, Marge (1976)*
Woman on the Edge of Time
Robinson, Kim Stanley (2020)*
The Ministry for the Future
Slonczewski, Joan (1986)*
A Door into Ocean
Solomon, Rivers (2017)*
An Unkindness of Ghosts
Thompson, Tade (2016)*
Rosewater
Additional reading: articles of ca 50-100 pages.
Additional teaching materials in accordance with instructions from the teacher: 1-2 movies and parts of 1-2 tv-series.
*Any full text edition.