Great Literature 102 - Science Fiction and Fantasy
Science Fiction & Fantasy: A collaborative, low-stress canon of speculative fiction, chosen for cultural importance, stylistic range, and readability.
π― Goals & Constraints
- Focus on major works of science fiction and fantasy (mid-1800s onward)
- Emphasize varied styles, voices, subgenres, and perspectives
- Avoid books that are:
- Excessively long (over ~400 pages)
- Infamously difficult or punishing
- Better admired than actually read
- Prioritize works that still feel alive to a modern reader
- Balance between classic foundations and influential modern works
This is meant to be rigorous but humane, exploring the depth and breadth of speculative fiction.
π Core Reading List (Great Literature 102 - Finalized)
- The Hobbit β J.R.R. Tolkien βͺ Not Started
- Solaris β StanisΕaw Lem βͺ Not Started
- A Wizard of Earthsea β Ursula K. Le Guin βͺ Not Started
- Kindred β Octavia E. Butler βͺ Not Started
- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? β Philip K. Dick βͺ Not Started
- Neuromancer β William Gibson βͺ Not Started
- Foundation β Isaac Asimov βͺ Not Started
- The Time Machine β H.G. Wells βͺ Not Started
- The Martian Chronicles β Ray Bradbury βͺ Not Started
- Never Let Me Go β Kazuo Ishiguro βͺ Not Started
π§ Genre & Subgenre Coverage (Why These?)
- High Fantasy - Epic world-building and mythic structures
- Dystopian Fiction - Social critique and warnings
- Cyberpunk - Technology, identity, and corporate power
- Time Travel - History, memory, and causality
- Space Opera - Adventure, ethics, and leadership
- Literary Speculative Fiction - Character-driven, philosophical depth
- Afrofuturism - Diverse voices and perspectives
- Classic Science Fiction - Foundation of the genre
Together, these form a strong foundation for understanding how speculative fiction explores human nature, society, and possibility.
ποΈ Syllabus Structure
This course is structured as a flexible reading plan (approximately 20β30 weeks) with:
- Reading pace calibrated for real life
- Buffer weeks included in the schedule
- Optional supplemental short stories
- Reflection / discussion prompts (lightweight, not academic busywork)
Pacing approach:
- 1 book every 2β3 weeks
- Alternating long / short works
- Thematic arcs (dystopian, space, fantasy, etc.)
π Brainstorming & Iteration Notes
Use this space to:
- Swap books in or out
- Add alternates or honorable mentions
- Note reactions after finishing a book
- Flag anything that feels like a slog
(Keep this section messy on purpose.)
Alternates Considered:
- Dune (Frank Herbert) - Too long for this course, but foundational
- Snow Crash (Neal Stephenson) - Could replace Neuromancer
- The Dispossessed (Ursula K. Le Guin) - Excellent but more challenging
- The Left Hand of Darkness (Ursula K. Le Guin) - Already in Literature 101
- Brave New World (Aldous Huxley) - Classic dystopian alternative
- The Giver (Lois Lowry) - Accessible but perhaps too YA-focused
β Future Expansions (Optional)
- Short story collections (Asimov, Bradbury, Le Guin)
- Graphic novels (Watchmen, Sandman)
- Contemporary works (The Three-Body Problem, The Broken Earth trilogy)
- International speculative fiction
- Film adaptations as companions
π Weekly Reflection Prompts (Lightweight)
Optional, but recommended. No essays, just thinking.
- What did this work predict or get wrong about the future?
- How does the speculative element serve the story's themes?
- What felt surprisingly relevant to current issues?
- How does this compare to other speculative fiction you've read?
- What does this say about human nature or society?
π Built-In Flexibility
- Any 2β3 week block can stretch to 4 weeks without breaking the flow
- Units are modular; books can be swapped without derailing the whole plan
- If momentum dips, insert a buffer week or short story interlude
- The list remains flexible for adjustments as you discover new works
This syllabus is finalized for Great Literature 102. As you read, note any reactions or adjustments in the "Brainstorming & Iteration Notes" section above.