Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

(1) demonstrate systematic understanding of the genre of Science Fiction
(2) demonstrate critical understanding of the cultural context of the genre
(3) deploy and evaluate major concepts and theories in the analysis of selected material

Content:

The module provides an opportunity for a detailed study of the Science Fiction genre, with special reference to film. Areas to be covered will include topics such as utopia and dystopia in science fiction, technology and culture, cyborgs, aliens, virtual reality.

The module examines recent developments concerning the role of technology in society and film, explores cyborgisation, posthuman evolution, technoscience and technoculture and links these to earlier forms of humanism and anti-humanism.

Material for analysis will be drawn initially from films, relevant internet material, theoretical and popular texts on the current �state of humanity� and new media and cultural practices (eg. simulation games).

There will be a weekly film-screening for this module

Learning and Teaching Information:

The scheme assumes recruitment of 30.

Lecture/Workshop/Weekly Film Screening
Student hours: 80

Seminars
Contact Hours: 18
Number of Groups: 1

Workshops
Contact Hours: 18
Number of Groups: 2 x 15

Guided Independant Study
Hours: 84

Further details relating to assessment
Students must complete and submit both forms of assessment to be eligible to pass the module.
Students permitted to take a half module for the award of 10 credits will be assessed on the basis of the form of work relevant to the semester of study.