Introduction to Women’s Literature: SciFi by Women Writers

Cross-listed with WGST 2180

Space opera heroines, gender-bending aliens, apocalyptic pregnancies, changeling children, and interplanetary battles of the sexes. According to feminist S/F scholar Lisa Yaszek, these are just a few of the tropes we encounter in the surprisingly long and varied tradition of female-authored science fiction. In this class will take a historical approach to science fiction and science fantasy by women authors, from the classic Frankenstein through pulp sci-fi, feminist sci-fi, and current Nebula and Hugo award winners. Texts will include: Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia Butler, A Wrinkle in Time byMadeline L’Engle, The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, Time’s Agent by Brenda Peynado, and the anthology The Future is Female (edited by Lisa Yaszek). You will complete group work assignments, take two exams, give an oral report, write a group story and complete seven response papers in class.