Introduces key themes in the study of science fiction short stories. The short story form has been important to the genre of science fiction, from inspiring Gothic tales like Frankenstein and Dracula to filling the pages of pulp magazines in the early 1900s. Science fiction short stories also contribute to ecological thinking, dramatizing key issues in a condensed form. In fact, the short story is useful for analyzing questions of literary form—not just questions of plot and character, but all the techniques authors draw on to tell a story. Although many stories will focus on ecology and computation (AI, robotics, and automation), each week will introduce a different organizing theme for the stories selected.
5
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeNone
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeLeft this course feeling knowledgeable about SF. Good lectures, but she does go on tangents (often based on her research/ocean/climate-related). She is worried about the use of AI more than other profs I have had, and the assignments reflect that which can be limiting. Read, and go to lecture, as the in-class writings will test lecture knowledge.
This class is sooo easy, especially if you already like creative reading & writing! Dr. Jue has such interesting stories, its hard to not enjoy them. 2-4 short stories per week and theres 2 short response exams and a 6 page final essay.
prof jue was the best! she really cares about the subject and her students. attending lecture in person was optional (live on zoom or recorded on GS) and section was on zoom as well. super accommodating after going back to in-person school! content of class and the readings are genuinely interesting so it's not difficult to get a good grade!
Fantastic professor and very reasonable grader. I loved this class and if you put in the effort you should be able to get the grade you're looking for.
(Taken online during Covid) Amazing professor! Arguably best professor I've had from the English dept. She chooses such interesting stories and has a very fair and clear syllabus. She made the readings accessible by including PDFs. Loved this class and the content.
She's very kind and genuinely wants her students to succeed in her class. The class consisted of 2 take-home exams and a 7-page final paper. It was an easy class to take; I enjoyed all of the readings she selected to study this quarter. Even if you are not an English major, this is a great class to take because the course material is so interesting