Spring 2025 - ENGL 433W E100
Seminar in British Literatures (4)
Class Number: 3344
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Apr 22, 2025
Tue, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Torsten Kehler
tkehler@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
45 units or two 300-division English courses.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Advanced seminar in British literature. May be organized by author, genre, period, or critical approach. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught. Writing.
COURSE DETAILS:
"The British Tradition in Dystopian Science Fiction: from Wells to Ballard"
The British tradition in Science Fiction and speculative fiction is a long and varied one, arguably the most rich and fascinating in English literature. From Mary Shelley and H. G. Wells, through the “pulp fiction” era and the Cold War age, and into the current century, British Science Fiction has wrestled with some of the deepest human and social questions and dystopian concerns. Some of these include:
*the dangers of technology: what happens when life is thoroughly mediated by technology?
*the scope and reach of Darwinism: how short (or long) is the leash on which biology holds us?
*what havoc can pandemics and the like wreak?
*what would it mean to become post-human?
*what would “society” look like after a post-apocalyptic event (with change occurring either quickly through nuclear war or slowly through environmental degradation)?
We will study works that treat these questions.
Along with the novels we’re going to read, we will read some short stories by arguably the most prescient of writers, J. G. Ballard. (These will be supplied by me, either as photocopies or emailed as PDFs.)
As the course is writing intensive, I’ll require you to submit a draft of your thesis.
Canvas Announcements will be used to keep everyone up to date. We are a small-ish group and regular attendance is important. We will screen the odd film, we will treat one dystopian film in detail, and — as mentioned — we will read a variety of Ballard short stories, interspersed here and there. Electronic editions (Kindle etc.) of these works are absolutely acceptable. This is a fair bit of reading but the works are all reasonably short and extremely gripping.
Grading
- Attendance and participation 10%
- Short group presentation 10%
- Essay one (7-8 pages) with revision 40%
- Essay two (7-8 pages) 40%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
H. G. Wells, The War of the Worlds. Get ANY edition, the cheaper the better.
ISBN: 978-0451530653
H. G. Wells, The Island of Dr. Moreau. Any edition.
ISBN: 978-0198702665
John Wyndham, The Day of the Triffids. Any edition.
ISBN: 979-8637264711
John Christopher (Sam Youd), The Death of Grass. Any edition.
ISBN: 978-1911410003
P. D. James, The Children of Men. Any edition.
ISBN: 978-0676977691
J. G. Ballard, High-Rise. Any edition.
ISBN: 978-0586044568
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.
For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.