科幻電影與文化

Focus: Analyzing and historicizing SF TV series This course provides an introduction to science fiction studies, focusing primarily on television production, reception, and fan cultures by engaging established and emerging critical readings of sf filmography. This course aims to prepare students for conducting further research in this subfield of film studies and cultural studies from a literature/film perspective, which can include media studies and communications; discourse analysis (for instance of fan cultures and social media phenomena); ethical, political, ecological and philosophical interrogations; and questions regarding the relation of (plausible) science to science fiction filmography, one of the most popular TV and film genres today. When films are based on works of science fiction literature, reference to these works of fiction may be made, yet close reading of these texts remains beyond the focus of this course. However, the central role of script writing and revising in the production process will be acknowledged and actual scripts may provide research materials supplementing TV series episodes and related filmic intertexts. We will attempt to broaden the scope of this course beyond American and British TV series (the focus), certainly including work from Japan at length, but also from South Korea, Taiwan, Russia, Brazil, Germany, and other EU countries. One of the recurrent themes that will be used to provide focus to an otherwise sprawling genre will be to investigate biological and technological gender constructs in relation to narrative framing, point of view characters, backstories, worldings, and mappings onto contemporary (to the production date zeitgeist) issues (whether political, ecological, social, economic, medical, robotic, etc.).

No special prerequisites. Course is conducted in English. The course is open to all students junior (大3) or above.

Grading Criteria Contribution to class discussion and leading discussion on selected assigned readings: 25% Presentation on original topic: 25% Final paper (may be developed from presentation): 50% Attendance: -2 from final grade for each unexcused absence. Even when excused, a make-up assignment is required to avoid the “-2,” such as a short essay about the readings on the day missed. 2.教學方法及教學相關配合事項(如助教、網站或圖書及資料庫等) Seminar (dialogue, student presentations, lecture, discussion). Class community critique of critical essays read for a give class, with a cumulative sense of refining our strategies for approaching TV sf series. Preview/discuss TV series clips.

Course Readings Course readings are provided by the professor or if necessary placed on reserve in the library. Suggested: a subscription to Netflix ("Standard"--can be cancelled after course ends).

地點

HC415 (also known as HSS or HA Bldg. 3 on some campus maps)

時間

Wednesdays 1-3pm; and by arrangement

聯絡方式

interpoetics@gmail.com