Science Fiction

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Key facts

UNE unit code: ENGL306

*You are viewing the 2024 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start

Trimester 3 - Online

Campus

Armidale Campus

24/7 online support

Intensive schools

Supervised exam

Credit points

UNE student studies on a laptop on her lounge at home

Immerse yourself in one of the most distinctive and exciting genres of literature. Science fiction uses the real and imagined inventions of science and technology as well as philosophical speculations to consider and challenge what it means to be human in a changing world.

In this unit you will explore a number of great works of science fiction and chart the origins, development and definitions of the genre and its many sub-genres, for example, utopias/dystopias and time travel.

You will examine how science fiction negotiates its hugely popular status with being also an arena for wider discussions about society, culture, politics, religion and identity.

This unit was designed with a broad audience in mind, so it will be accessible to you, even if you’re not studying English literature.

Offerings

Teaching period	Mode/location
Trimester 3	Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites

12 cps or candidature in a postgraduate award

Restrictions

ENGL506

Combined units

ENGL506 Science Fiction

Notes

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

Natalia TobinLecturer in English - Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education; School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

identify and critically evaluate debates relating to the origins, definitions and purpose of science fiction;
identify and discuss the key themes, tropes and generic forms in science fiction texts;
demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the strategies and mechanisms by which science fiction texts engage with their social, cultural, political, scientific and technological contexts; and
apply advanced reading, writing and research skills in the critical interpretation of representative science fiction texts and their contexts.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Title	Must Complete	Weight	Offerings	Assessment Notes
Essay	Yes	50%	All offerings	No. Words: 2500
Online Quiz	Yes	10%	All offerings	No. Words: 500 equivalent
Take Home Exam	Yes	40%	All offerings	No. Words: 2000

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.