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  2. Speculative Fiction [CCC3109]

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Speculative Fiction

  • Unit Code

    CCC3109

  • Year

    2019

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Donna Jean MAZZA

Description

This unit will explore science fiction and fantasy literature from early texts inspired by scientific and industrial development to contemporary utopian and dystopian works. Students interested in working creatively in this field will have opportunity to study authors and write work in these genres and literature students will read a variety of new and old works against theoretical contexts.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Attribute contemporary themes and styles to key seminal works in science fiction, fantasy, utopian and dystopian literature.
  2. Comment on science fiction and fantasy texts and their role in critiquing contemporary culture.
  3. Compare these genres and the theoretical concepts that underpin their development.
  4. Research and develop theoretical and/or creative work which critically examines concepts within speculative genres.

Unit Content

  1. Examine the popularity of fantasy fiction and its major historic points, including themes such as the hero journey and a study of some key practitioners.
  2. Introduction to speculative fiction through close study of prose and techniques for writing in these genres.
  3. Study some dystopian works of fiction which seek to examine humanity through an exaggerated reality in order to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of how we live.
  4. The development of science fiction from early works inspired by scientific and industrial development and the social relevance of the genre at key historical moments, including themes such as the Other, space and time travel, alien worlds and new technology.

Learning Experience

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, films, writing workshops.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioSelection of developed writing and reading activities50%
ProjectEssay or creative work50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioSelection of developed writing and reading activities50%
ProjectEssay or creative work50%

Core Reading(s)

  • Shelley, M. (2003). Frankenstein. London, United Kingdom: Penguin. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/51621898?databaseList=638

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

CCC3109|1|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Speculative Fiction

  • Unit Code

    CCC3109

  • Year

    2019

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Donna Jean MAZZA

Description

This unit will explore science fiction and fantasy literature from early texts inspired by scientific and industrial development to contemporary utopian and dystopian works. Students interested in working creatively in this field will have opportunity to study authors and write work in these genres and literature students will read a variety of new and old works against theoretical contexts.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Attribute contemporary themes and styles to key seminal works in science fiction, fantasy, utopian and dystopian literature.
  2. Comment on science fiction and fantasy texts and their role in critiquing contemporary culture.
  3. Compare these genres and the theoretical concepts that underpin their development.
  4. Research and develop theoretical and/or creative work which critically examines concepts within speculative genres.

Unit Content

  1. Examine the popularity of fantasy fiction and its major historic points, including themes such as the hero journey and a study of some key practitioners.
  2. Introduction to speculative fiction through close study of prose and techniques for writing in these genres.
  3. Study some dystopian works of fiction which seek to examine humanity through an exaggerated reality in order to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of how we live.
  4. The development of science fiction from early works inspired by scientific and industrial development and the social relevance of the genre at key historical moments, including themes such as the Other, space and time travel, alien worlds and new technology.

Learning Experience

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, films, writing workshops.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioSelection of developed writing and reading activities50%
ProjectEssay or creative work50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioSelection of developed writing and reading activities50%
ProjectEssay or creative work50%

Core Reading(s)

  • Shelley, M. (2003). Frankenstein. London, United Kingdom: Penguin. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/51621898?databaseList=638

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

CCC3109|1|2