English 100

Other Readings and Media

Clarke, Arthur C.: Childhood's End; Heinlein, Robert A.: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress; Le Guin, Ursula: Left Hand of Darkness; Ballard , J.G.: The Drowned World; Herbert, Frank: Dune; Lem, Stanislaw: Solaris; Butler, Octavia: Dawn; Aldiss, Brain: Helliconia Spring; Gibson, William: Neuromancer; Stross, Charles: Singularity Sky

Description

Escapism' is effective when it is intricately and intensely related to the world from which the reader escapes, and we are therefore entitled to try to read back from the work to the longing it addresses, especially in the case of works such as these, which emphasize unanticipated transformations of history-as-usual. Two ten-page essays will be required, along with regular attendance and participation in class discussion.