| Course title | What is Science Fiction? History and Theory of the Popular Genre |
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| Course code | KGN/LP90 |
| Organizational form of instruction | Lecture |
| Level of course | Master |
| Year of study | not specified |
| Semester | Winter and summer |
| Number of ECTS credits | 3 |
| Language of instruction | Czech |
| Status of course | Compulsory-optional |
| Form of instruction | Face-to-face |
| Work placements | This is not an internship |
| Recommended optional programme components | None |
| Course availability | The course is available to visiting students |
| Lecturer(s) |
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| Course content |
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Technological innovations and their impact on people and society, a plot set in the (more or less) distant future, fantastical motifs, criticism of contemporary society, and philosophical and/or religious themes are certainly typical themes of science fiction, but their role in individual works of literature and films within the genre varies greatly. The theoretical approaches that seek to define SF are just as diverse - ranging from Marxist theories, through psychoanalysis and critical theory, to gender studies. Selected topics: 1. The origins of science fiction, distinguishing it from utopia and fantasy; 2. The development of science fiction in general; 3. The development of science fiction in Germany; 4. The 'novum' as a defining feature of science fiction; 5. Science fiction films; 6. 'Welten am Draht' - simulation, virtual reality and science fiction; 7. 'Aliens' - the role of the alien in science fiction; 8. Artificial humans and science fiction; 9. Religion and science fiction; 10. Subgenres - time travel, space opera, cyberpunk Materials (handouts, PowerPoint presentations, compulsory reading) are available on the Moodle LMS.
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| Learning activities and teaching methods |
| Lecture |
| Learning outcomes |
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The aim of the lecture is to familiarise participants with both the most important theories and the key themes, motifs, (sub)genres and history of German and English-language science fiction.
The aim of the lecture is to familiarise participants with the most important theories as well as the central themes, motifs, (sub)genres and history of science fiction. |
| Prerequisites |
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A knowledge of German at a minimum of B1 level; it is recommended that students have previously completed the course 'Introduction to Literary Studies' (KGN/1ULT).
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| Assessment methods and criteria |
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Mark, Oral exam, Student performance
Oral examination - Content of lectures and required reading |
| Recommended literature |
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| Study plans that include the course |
| Faculty | Study plan (Version) | Category of Branch/Specialization | Recommended semester | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): German Philology (2019) | Category: Philological sciences | - | Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): German Philology (2019) | Category: Philological sciences | - | Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): German for Translators and Interpreters (2019_24) | Category: Philological sciences | - | Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): German for Translators and Interpreters (2019) | Category: Philological sciences | - | Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): German for Translators and Interpreters (2019) | Category: Philological sciences | - | Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): German Philology (2022) | Category: Philological sciences | - | Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): German Philology (2019) | Category: Philological sciences | - | Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: - |