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Lecturer(s)
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Horňáček Milan, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Technological innovations and their impact on people and society, a plot set in the (more or less) distant future, fantastical motifs, criticism of contemporary society, and philosophical and/or religious themes are certainly typical themes of science fiction, but their role in individual works of literature and films within the genre varies greatly. The theoretical approaches that seek to define SF are just as diverse - ranging from Marxist theories, through psychoanalysis and critical theory, to gender studies. Selected topics: 1. The origins of science fiction, distinguishing it from utopia and fantasy; 2. The development of science fiction in general; 3. The development of science fiction in Germany; 4. The 'novum' as a defining feature of science fiction; 5. Science fiction films; 6. 'Welten am Draht' - simulation, virtual reality and science fiction; 7. 'Aliens' - the role of the alien in science fiction; 8. Artificial humans and science fiction; 9. Religion and science fiction; 10. Subgenres - time travel, space opera, cyberpunk Materials (handouts, PowerPoint presentations, compulsory reading) are available on the Moodle LMS.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture, Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of the "Science Fiction - Theorie und Geschichte" lecture is to familiarise participants with both the most important theories and the key themes, motifs, (sub)genres and history of German and English-language science fiction.
Students will be introduced to the key theories, central themes, motifs, (sub)genres, and history of German and English science fiction.
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Prerequisites
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A knowledge of German at a minimum of B1 level; it is recommended that students have previously completed the course 'Introduction to Literary Studies' (KGN/1ULT).
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Mark, Oral exam
Oral examination - Content of lectures and required reading
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Recommended literature
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(2024). The New Routledge Companion to Science Fiction. London.
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Darko Suvin. (1979). Poetik der Science-Fiction. Zur Theorie und Geschichte einer literarischen Gattung. Frankfurt am Main.
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Roger Luckhurst. (2005). Science Fiction. Cambridge.
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Sherryl Vint. (2014). Science Fiction: A Guide for the Perplexed. London.
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