Although science fiction is one of the most successful and influential literary genres of the present day, it is anything but easy to define this genre. Technical innovations and their impact on people and society, plots set in the (more or less) distant future, fantastical motifs, criticism of contemporary society, and philosophical and/or religious themes are typical topics in SF, but their role in individual texts and films of the genre varies greatly. Equally diverse are the theoretical approaches that attempt to define science fiction - from Marxist theories to psychoanalysis, critical theory and gender studies. The aim of the lecture is to familiarise participants with the most important theories as well as the central themes, motifs, (sub)genres and history of science fiction. Selected topics: 1. Origins of SF, distinction from utopia and fantasy; 2. Development of SF in general; 3. Development of SF in Germany; 4. The "novum" as a characteristic of SF; 5. The SF film; 6. "Worlds on the wire" - simulation, virtual reality and SF; 7. "Aliens" - the role of the stranger in SF; 8. Artificial humans and SF; 9. Religion and SF; 10. Subgenres - time travel, space opera, cyberpunk, ..
The aim of the lecture is to familiarise participants with the most important theories as well as the central themes, motifs, (sub)genres and history of science fiction.
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