Learning outcome

After successfully completing the course, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The candidate has / can:

• Thorough knowledge of literature and film theories and critical perspectives with a focus on speculative fiction
• Knowledge of key theoretical approaches in literature didactics focusing on language teaching
• Account for different genres and is familiar with a number of works in English speculative fiction, focusing on speculative fiction for children and youth
• Demonstrate an understanding of various critical perspectives of speculative fiction’s different genres
• Formulate academic and didactic questions on the subject

Skills

The candidate can:

• Compare themes and techniques employed in the central works and sub-genres
• Apply central literary and cultural theory in an analysis of speculative fiction
• Critically discuss and analyse speculative fiction on the basis of different perspectives (e.g. historical and cultural contexts)
• Make teaching plans on speculative fiction for pupils in primary, lower and upper secondary schools

General competence

The candidate has / can:

• An understanding of and can reflect upon speculative fiction from historical and cultural perspectives
• Justify their own standpoint and relate this to other perspectives covered in the course
• Communicate their own and others’ research according to good ethical and academic standards
• Developed competence in the English language and English culture and literature

Course Description

Speculative fiction is an umbrella name for several genres that share the characteristic of deviating from the world as we know it. Such genres include science fiction, fantasy, horror and utopian/dystopian fiction. By telling stories about other worlds, eras and possibilities, speculative fiction also tells us much about our own time and the world we live in. Accordingly, the course “Speculative Fiction in the Classroom” moves within a broad field of topics and themes such as genre studies, literature as social commentary/criticism, literature as dialogue and literature as cultural dissemination. The course provides a theoretical introduction into speculative fiction and film, with a focus on the text as social commentary.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course includes lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, student counselling, presentations and independent study. The student will be given training in the presentation of their own tasks and research results.

Assessment Methods

The course includes two assignments which are specified in the semester plan; these must receive passing marks before the student can take the examination.

The final assessment: a written examination counting for 40% of the course grade; and a home examination counting for 60%.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean