GH 301: Science Fiction: from Aliens to the Posthuman

Science Fiction: from Aliens to the Posthuman will not be a chronological or historical survey. Instead, we will examine the first contact theme, especially as encounters with the alien serve to define what it is to be human, the evolution of artificial beings from robots to fully self-conscious AIs, and science fictional addresses to human evolution. Following Ursula K. Le Guin’s belief that a well-written science fiction is never really predictive, but is always about the author’s present, always a displacement of a concern relevant to the here and the now, our goal will be to investigate how representations of the alien, artificial intelligence, and posthumanity expose complex relations among popular texts and social, economic, and political forces in culture, to effect a cultural critique.

Required Texts:

Dick, Philip K. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Vintage. ISBN 978-0-345-35047-3

Gibson, William. Neuromancer. ACE Science Fiction. ISBN 978-0-441-56959-5

Masri, Heather. Science Fiction: Stories and Contexts [Compact Edition]. Bedford St. Martin. ISBN 9781457674464

Russell, Mary Doria. The Sparrow. Ballantine. ISBN 978-0-449-91255-3

Wells, Martha. All Systems Red. Tor. ISBN 978-0-7653-9753-9

Instructor: Dr. Jake Jakaitis

Please contact Dr. Jakaitis if you have questions about this course.