Spring 2025 - WL 204 D100
Rights and Activism in Literature (3)
Class Number: 6133
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Apr 14, 2025
Mon, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Gianluca Oluic
goluic@sfu.ca
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Focuses on literary responses to political oppression, censorship, displacement, terrorism or warfare. Thematic interests may include human rights, gender inequality, racism or class exploitation. Breadth-Humanities.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course explores themes of control, oppression and human resilience in dystopian literature and film, blending both imagined and historically-grounded visions of dystopia. Through the study of seminal works such as Victor Hugo’s Ninety-three, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (graphic novel adaptation), George Orwell's 1984, Aleksandr Solženicyn’s One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovič and Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful, we will examine the ways in which authors from around the globe have depicted the human struggle for freedom and meaning under extreme conditions.
We will analyze how these texts address issues of totalitarianism, surveillance, the loss of individuality and the human capacity for survival amidst brutality. Through a cross-generic approach –novels, graphic novel and film– and by contrasting fictional dystopias with historically-rooted accounts, the course reflects upon the blurred boundaries between real and imagined dystopian societies, focusing on the individual’s role within oppressive regimes.
Grading
- Attendance and Participation 15%
- Oral Report 20%
- Midterm 25%
- Final Paper Proposal 10%
- Final Paper 30%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Hugo, Victor. Ninety-three. ISBN 979-8391507161
Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. Adapted and illustrated by Fred Fordham. ISBN: 978-0063055254
Orwell, George. 1984. ISBN 978-1443434973
Solzhenitsyn, Aleksander. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. ISBN 978-0679444640
Benigni, Roberto. Life is Beautiful (Film). 1997 (open access through SFU Criterion)
Additional material will be made available by the instructor.
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.
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.