Fantasy and Science Fiction Analysis and Composition - EN577A/B

Fantasy and Science Fiction Analysis and Composition - EN577A/B

Learning Recommendations: None

General Description: This year-long course explores the fantasy and science fiction genres through books, films, and other media. Students will analyze how these genres build worlds, challenge ideas, and reflect society. They will critique genre conventions, form opinions about the texts, and explain their thinking through discussion and writing. As the course progresses, students will move from analysis to creation—developing their own speculative worlds, crafting original narratives, and producing creative projects that bring their stories to life. Through this process, students will sharpen the critical reading, writing, speaking, and analytical skills necessary for success in college and beyond. 

Content:

• Break down and evaluate what makes fantasy and science fiction unique, including world-building, story structure, figurative language, and character development.
• Explore how these genres challenge and reflect real-world issues such as class, gender, race, and the environment.
• Compare and critique how authors and creators shape genre conventions across books, films, screenplays, and graphic novels.
• Share and defend ideas through presentations, debates, and discussions.
• Read and analyze student-selected books in book clubs and independent reading, alongside teacher-selected films, poetry, short stories, and more.
• Examine how stories change when adapted into different forms, including movies, comics, and TV series.
• Develop writing skills by progressing from analysis to creative world-building and storytelling.
• Create an original fantasy or science fiction world, applying key genre elements.
• Transform that world into a structured story, using storytelling techniques to bring it to life.
• Showcase creativity in a second-semester genre project, producing and presenting an original piece such as a short story, film, script, or multimedia work.

Homework: Students should dedicate 20 to 30 minutes each day to homework, including reviewing notes, studying for quizzes, and reading. They are expected to follow a daily reading schedule agreed upon with the instructor. Extended composition and presentation projects may require additional time beyond the recommended daily homework.