Introduces the literary genre of science fiction (SF) through the lens of dystopia. Examines the literary history of fictitious futures, or to use Frederic Jameson?s phrase, we will mine ?the archaeology of the future,? to determine the central concerns of authors and film-makers who imagine, in particular, dystopian visions of the world to come. Beginning with fiction from the end of the Victorian period, we will read several novels, short stories, and consider some films, that provide glimpses of a variety of futures, and consider how they approach respectively the disintegration of the political, social, and natural world.

Prerequisites: Writing 2 or 50 or 109 or English 10 or upper-division standing.

4

Units

Letter

Grading

1

Passtime

None

Level Limit

Letters and science

College
GEs Area G Writing
These majors only prcom
DONNELLY B
Brian Donnelly
4.4
52 reviews
AI predicted, based on past grading trends of the course and instructor, class info, and 127 other factors
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Summer 2024 . Donnelly B
ON LINE
M T W R
14:00 PM - 15:05 PM
Winter 2025 . Donnelly B
GIRV 1004
M W
14:00 PM - 15:15 PM
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ENGL 192DF Donnelly B Summer 2025 Total: 34
ENGL 192DF Donnelly B Winter 2025 Total: 180
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52
4.4
ENGL192DF . Donnelly B 7 Days Ago

This was a hard class as a non English major. Unfair grading across TAs and grading expectations were not explicit. Lectures consisted of plot summaries rather than the deep insightful analyses needed to succeed on essays and the midterm. My grades were never imputed into canvas, so I don't even know what I got on the final.

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ENGL192DF . Donnelly B 18 Days Ago

Amazing professor, his class is so interesting and the required reading is fire.

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ENGL192DF . Donnelly B 26 Days Ago

My least favorite class so far at UCSB, the midterm was ridiculous and not many people did well. Be careful with your TA they have all the power. Not many people succeeded with a certain TA.

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ENGL192DF . Donnelly B 4 Months Ago

Professor Donnelly is odd. He's incredibly funny and a pretty captivating lecturer but if you interact with him outside of the lecture hall he's extremely rude. I spoke with him outside of class a lot and can say I rarely had a good experience. So, while as a professor he's great, be prepared for the whiplash of speaking with him outside of class

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ENGL192DF . Donnelly B 9 Months Ago

Donnelly is one of the best professors. He makes lectures engaging and relevant. This is one of the best English classes I've taken at UCSB, highly recommend. Midterm is okay if you go to lectures and do the readings. Come up with original topics for your papers and go to your TA's office hours. Great class, loved that we read the Hunger Games.

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ENGL192DF . Donnelly B 1 Year, 7 Days Ago

Incredible professor and an INSANELY good class. Powerful and analytical lectures that are especially relevant now, but I've heard from former students that he always makes them very timely. Extremely interesting readings, good mix of essays and exams, and I love that he takes our feedback into account. One of the best English classes at UCSB!

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ENGL 192DF
200 / 200 Full
Science Fiction: Dystopian Fiction
Brian Donnelly 4.4
M W
14:00 PM - 15:15 PM
ENGL 192SS
150 / 150 Full
SCIENCE FICTION: SHORT STORIES
Melody Jue 4.3
T R
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
ENGL 195I
0 / 15 Enrolled
Internship in English
T B A
ENGL 196
0 / 15 Enrolled
Honors English Senior Thesis
T B A
ENGL 197
18 / 18 Full
Upper-Division Seminar
Alan Liu 2.8
T R
14:00 PM - 15:15 PM
ENGL 197
18 / 18 Full
Upper-Division Seminar
Felice Blake 4.2
M W
08:00 AM - 09:15 AM
ENGL 197
15 / 15 Full
Upper-Division Seminar
Russell Samolsky 4.3
T R
15:30 PM - 16:45 PM