Utopian and Dystopian Visions unit (HEN305)

Introduction

This unit explores how different worlds are imagined in speculative fiction, film, and critical theory. Taking an historical approach, the unit traces the trajectory of utopian/dystopian texts and theories through the last five hundred years, concentrating on the dystopian visions prevalent in the twentieth century and the new millennium. The unit examines the relationship between the historical/political moment of the text's production, and the speculative re-imagining of the world that the text offers. Through a selection of texts, students will be asked to consider utopian and dystopian representations of science and technology, political discourses such as Marxism and Feminism, and the environment (including the built environment).

Summary

Unit name	Utopian and Dystopian Visions
Unit code	HEN305
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Humanities and Social Sciences
Discipline	English
Coordinator	Associate Professor Naomi Milthorpe
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse selected texts demonstrating knowledge of: a. the texts and topics introduced in this unit b. relevant theoretical issues as introduced in this unit c. the political dimensions of representation
• Construct an argument supported by: a. evidence from your chosen text(s) b. reference to secondary material
• identify and analyse connections between texts considered in the unit.
• communicate effectively through written english in a variety of settings.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Prerequisites

25 points at introductory level in any discipline in any faculty

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	On Campus: Weekly on-campus lectorial (1 hour); weekly tutorial (2 hours) Off Campus: Weekly live-streamed lectorial (1 hour) (also available as a recording); weekly online participation (2 hours equivalent)
Assessment	Research proposal (20%)|Tutorial participation (30%)|Research project (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

You will need to access the following literary texts. It does not matter what edition you use. H. G. Wells, The Time Machine (1895) Evelyn Waugh, A Handful of Dust (1934) C. S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952) Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake (2003) Cormac McCarthy, The Road (2005) Ellen van Neerven, “Water” from Heat and Light (2014), Ling Ma, Severance (2018)  You will also need to access the following films: Victor Fleming, The Wizard of Oz (1939) Neil Blomkamp, District 9 (2009) Yorgos Lanthimos, The Lobster (2015)

Recommended

Weekly secondary readings will be made available to you via MyLO.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.