How Great Science Fiction Works

Overview

Examine what makes science fiction an enduring phenomenon that has reflected and inspired our highest technological aspirations—as well as our darkest fears.

This comprehensive course explores science fiction’s evolution from Mary Shelley’s foundational works to 21st-century innovations. Through 24 insightful lectures, you’ll discover how the genre tackles profound questions about humanity, technology, and our future while serving as a mirror for contemporary anxieties and hopes.

Video Lectures

1. Mary Shelley and the Birth of Science Fiction (31 min)
   Defining the genre and exploring its origins with Frankenstein’s monster.
2. Science Fiction in the 19th Century (31 min)
   Examining Poe, Verne, and Wells’ foundational contributions.
3. Science Fiction Treatments of History (34 min)
   How alternate histories and time travel reshape our past.
4. Evolution and Deep Time in Science Fiction (34 min)
   Stories spanning from the Big Bang to the universe’s end.
5. Utopian Dreams and Dystopian Nightmares (32 min)
   Contrasting visions of ideal and terrifying futures.
6. The Rise of the Science Fiction Pulps (32 min)
   Early 20th-century magazines that shaped the genre.
7. The Golden Age of Science Fiction Stories (33 min)
   Post-WWII resurgence through Astounding Science Fiction.
8. The Spaceship As a Science Fiction Icon (32 min)
   Symbolism and evolution of interstellar travel narratives.
9. The Robot: From Capek to Asimov (32 min)
   Artificial intelligence’s philosophical implications.
10. The Golden Age of the Science Fiction Novel (31 min)
    Transition from pulp to respected literary form.
11. From Mars to Arrakis: The Planet (33 min)
    Planetary settings as characters in their own right.
12. The Science Fiction Wasteland (31 min)
    Apocalyptic visions and environmental warnings.
13. Invasions, Space Wars, and Xenocide (31 min)
    Alien conflicts mirroring human warfare anxieties.
14. Religion in Science Fiction (33 min)
    Reimagining faith and spirituality in futuristic contexts.
15. Science Fiction’s New Wave (30 min)
    1960s experimental approaches by Ballard and others.
16. Encounters with the Alien Other (30 min)
    First contact stories and the unknown “other.”
17. Environmentalism in Science Fiction (33 min)
    Ecological concerns and planetary stewardship themes.
18. Gender Questions and Feminist Science Fiction (31 min)
    Breaking stereotypes and female authorship challenges.
19. Cyberpunk and the 1980s (32 min)
    Gritty, high-tech futures in Neuromancer and Blade Runner.
20. The 1990s: The New Space Opera (29 min)
    Epic galactic narratives with complex characters.
21. The Artifact as a Science Fiction Icon (29 min)
    Mysterious objects driving exploration narratives.
22. Science Fiction’s Urban Landscapes (28 min)
    Futuristic cities from utopian to dystopian visions.
23. Science Fiction in the 21st Century (30 min)
    Increasing diversity and global perspectives.
24. The Future of Science Fiction (31 min)
    Speculating on the genre’s ongoing evolution.