Syllabus for Fall 2026
ENG 205L: Modern Speculative Fiction
Fall 2026
M/W Sections
Course Description
This course explores modern speculative fiction, science fiction, and fantasy through visual and written texts. Students will analyze key texts and films, examining themes such as technology, identity, ethics, and social control while considering how these works reflect broader societal fears about technological progress. The course aims to develop critical thinking and analytical skills through reading, viewing, and discussing works in Speculative Fiction.
Course Objectives
Course assignments are designed to help you achieve course objectives. The chart below illustrates how the objectives relate to major assignments. This course is designed to be cumulative, meaning that every text covered and every assignment given is meant to contribute to student understanding of theory and speculative media. This cumulative structure ensures that students progressively refine their critical thinking, media literacy, and literary analysis skills.
Required Texts
We will be engaging with both written and visual texts during this course; each week will have roughly one reading and one viewing for discussion. I have created a course reserve at the Marist Library for visual media in this course; this means that anything that is not free or shown in class will be available to watch at the Marist Library in person. For your convenience, I have also included where each item can be streamed, though some are through paid services. Those living on campus have free access to HBO Max.
Texts
Readings:
Available on Brightspace
Selections from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Isaac Asimov, "The Evitable Conflict"
Ray Bradbury, "A Sound of Thunder"
Jorge Luis Borges, "Funes, the Memorious"
Octavia Butler, "The Evening & The Morning & The Night"
Arthur C Clarke, "The Star"
Harlan Ellison, "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream"
Hao Jingfang, "Folding Beijing"
Ursula K. Le Guin, "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas"
Sofia Samatar, "The Red Thread"
Kurt Vonnegut, "2 B R 0 2 B"
Movies & Visual Media:
Akira (1988), free on Youtube, streaming Amazon Prime
**Black Mirror, “Metalhead” [Season 4, Episode 5], Netflix
Black Mirror, "San Junipero" [Season 3, Episode 4], Netflix
Back to the Future (1985), Netflix
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), Netflix
Gattaca (1997), Hulu
Idiocracy (2006), Netflix
Jurassic Park (1993), Netflix
The Last of Us (2023) [Episode 1], HBO Max
The LEGO Movie (2014), Paramount+
The Matrix (1999), HBO Max
Snowpiercer (2013), HBO Max
Terminator 2 (1991)
**The Twilight Zone, "Time Enough at Last" [Season 1, Episode 8]
WALL-E (2008), Disney+
**denotes media that we will watch in class together
Assignments
The assignments in this course are designed to be cumulative. Each paper focuses on a specific aspect of speculative fiction, starting with foundational theme analysis, progressing through comparative studies of different media, and ending in a thematic evolution across multiple works. The final exam synthesizes insights from the entire course, asking you to integrate knowledge of speculative fiction's historical and cultural contexts with critical perspectives developed through class discussions and previous assignments.
ASSIGNMENT 1: Analysis of Themes in a Selected Work: You will choose one of two projects on the assignment prompt; you will select a speculative text from your own life and discuss how speculative themes are conveyed through narrative elements like character, setting, and plot.
ASSIGNMENT 2: Thematic Evolution in Speculative Fiction: You will choose one of two projects on the assignment prompt and conduct a comparative analysis of themes in texts we've discussed in class.
QUIZZES: Due to the proliferation of AI-generated essays over the last year, I have replaced some writing assignments with quizzes. This is to ensure that we are all doing the readings/viewings. Expect them at the beginning of every class. They will consist of multiple choice questions about the readings.
PARTICIPATION: Participation is defined as engaging with your peers and myself during class discussion, as well as outside of it if necessary. I know that not all of us participate in the same manner, so the class will have many participation options to ensure that every voice can be heard.
FINAL EXAM: The final exam will be a comprehensive exam that synthesizes course materials, focusing on the broader implications of speculative fiction in understanding human experience and societal development. Due: Final Exam Week
Grading for Major Assignments and Course
Assignment One 10%
Assignment Two 10%
Quizzes 50%
Participation 25%
Final 5%
Total 100%
Grading Scale
A (93-100) A- (90-92.9) B+ (87-89.9) B (83-86.9) B- (80-82.9) C+ (77-79.9)
C (73-76.9) C- (70-72.9) D+ (67-69.9) D (60-66.9) F (0-59.9)
Final grades will be based on the following general definitions in Marist College’s Academic Policies:
A
An A student is one who, in addition to all the qualities manifested by a B student, seeks mastery of a special field by reason of individual interest; he or she has initiative and originality in attacking and solving problems; he or she shows ability in rethinking problems and making associations and in adapting to new and changing situations; moreover, he or she has an appropriate vocabulary at his or her command.
B
To earn a B grade a student must manifest all the qualities characteristic of a C student and in addition reveal a memory that encompasses more than the basic elements of a course; he or she has a more personal grasp of the principles of the course and perceives wider application of them. The student should be able to discuss the subject matter of the course with ease.
C
To earn a C grade a student must be able to recall the basic elements of a course, understand the essential background and materials of a course, apply the basic principles involved, and express them intelligibly.
D
A student who is deficient in some degree in any of the areas that are characteristic of a C grade will earn a D.
F
The student has failed to show mastery of the basic subject matter for the course.
Final grades will not be rounded up.
Expectations and Policies
Class Participation:
You are expected to come prepared to every class, on time, with readings and assignments completed. You are expected to be an engaged participant in class, furthering both your and our collective understanding of the topic at hand. Ask questions. Take risks. I expect all of us to treat each other with respect and dignity, and to take each other's ideas seriously.
If you are unable to contribute to conversations about the reading, whether you volunteer or I call on you, your participation grade will be negatively affected. There is a strong correlation between thoroughly completing all of the reading and succeeding in the class.
Absences:
Your progress in the course relies heavily on your attendance and participation in class, and class works best when everyone actively contributes. That said, you are allowed two unexcused absences without substantial penalty to your grade. Each additional absence will result in a five-point deduction from your final grade. If you miss, or know you will miss, several days of class for medical reasons or other such circumstances, you should inform the Center for Advising and Academic Services (CAAS).
Because all major assignments will be turned in electronically, absences, excused or unexcused, will not affect their due dates. This means if you miss class, you still must turn in your assignment. If you need an extension for extenuating circumstances, you must email me prior to the due date to make arrangements; I cannot retroactively offer an extension.
If you are absent, whether your absence is excused or unexcused, you are encouraged to contact your peers to acquire missed notes. If, after having obtained notes from a peer, you would like clarification on a topic you missed, you may see me during office hours, however, I will not reproduce lectures during office hours.
Late Policy:
Do not arrive late to class. If you arrive to class late, you will not be allowed access to the classroom until you successfully answer a riddle. The riddle changes each class and will not be repeated.
Formatting:
All assignments must be turned in electronically, as specified by the syllabus or the assignment sheet. Assignments should follow MLA conventions.
Deadlines:
Follow the instructions on the syllabus and assignment sheet. Late assignments will be marked down a half of a letter grade (5 points) per day, including weekends. If you know you are going to hand in an assignment late, please contact me before the due date, so we can make appropriate arrangements (an extension is not guaranteed).
Plagiarism:
Assignments must be academically honest. If you take work from another source (book, magazine, internet, etc.) and hand it in as your own without citation, it is called plagiarism. If you plagiarize an assignment in this class, you will receive an "F" for that assignment, and may be subject to further penalty by Marist College, including expulsion from school. Please see the Student Handbook, and I would be happy to talk with you if you are confused as to what constitutes plagiarism.
AI:
Assignments in this course must be completed without the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT or other generative AI systems or LLMs. This includes "grammar assistants" like Grammarly; I would rather hear your imperfect voice than that of a machine. A goal of this course is to develop individual critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which directly conflicts with AI use. Violations of this policy may result in academic penalties.
Educator AI Statement:
I believe that feedback on writing and critical theory should always come from a human. As such, I will not use AI to respond to grade or handle any of your assignments. Your privacy matters to me, so I will not upload any of your assignments into third-party AI checkers. These assignments are not automatically scanned when uploaded to Brightspace.
Accommodations:
Students who may need accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact the Office of Accommodations and Accessibility at 845-575-3274, Donnelly Hall, Room 226 or via email at accomodations@marist.edu as soon as possible to better ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely manner.
Accommodations are not retroactive; you must provide an official letter from the accommodations office.
Writing Center:
The Writing Center is a great resource to help you with your writing. Appointments are free to you, as Marist students, and typically last 30 minutes (although longer appointments can be scheduled). Go to www.marist.edu/liberal-arts/english/writing-center to learn more and to schedule an appointment.
Diversity and Inclusion Syllabus Statement
The college's academic mission is immeasurably enriched by students with diverse experiences. Our finest efforts as intellectual beings heavily rely on the exchange of ideas. Interactions in our classrooms among persons and groups with diverse backgrounds, ideologies, and experiences facilitate these efforts by allowing us all to be more reflective about the varied historical and social contexts in which we work and learn. For faculty and students to continue being leaders inside and beyond academia, we must ensure that we consider the diversity of all who comprise our communities and foster a climate in which those diverse influences are respected and valued. In this course, we will challenge each other’s thinking while working collaboratively to ensure that the classroom is a space of safety and bravery. Our classroom offers an environment where individuals of varying opinions, experiences, and backgrounds are able to be free to learn without fear of being silenced. Evidence of these efforts will manifest in readings, lectures/class discussion, seminars, and group projects. Aspects of diversity include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, color, nationality, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, class, sexual orientation, religion, age, ability, and veteran status.
Title IX Syllabus Statement
Marist College is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, or stalking, support is available. Please contact the Title IX Office at titleix@marist.edu or (845) 575-3799 or visit www.marist.edu/title-ix to file a report. Please be aware that faculty and staff are required to disclose incidents of sexual harassment or other potential violations of the Marist College Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy to the Title IX Office. To speak to a confidential resource who does not have this reporting responsibility, contact Counseling Services at (845) 575-3314, Health Services at (845) 575-3270, or Campus Ministry at (845) 575-3000 (x2275).
ENG 205L: Schedule
Student Responsibilities
Read the syllabus schedule and read/view the required texts
Make sure you check your email regularly for updates and changes to the schedule
Communicate with me or each other if you need assistance with finding course materials, including audiobooks and physical media
Week 1 - Introduction
M 8/31
Introductions; overview of course and assignment; brief history of science fiction
W 9/2
Discuss Frankenstein chapters: depictions of historical events through a sci-fi lens, literary interpretations of anxieties
Week 2 - Science Fiction & Speculative Origins
M 9/7
NO CLASS - LABOR DAY
W 9/9
Discuss Akira: nuclear development, the cold war, historical origins of contemporary sci-fi; watch The Twilight Zone "Time Enough at Last"
Week 3 - 20th Century Science Fiction
M 9/14
"The Evitable Conflict": the tension between humanity and technology
W 9/16
Man vs machine: The Matrix, subjugation, free will in contemporary sci-fi
Week 4 - Technology & The Human Condition
M 9/21
Contextualize "I Have No Mouth" with The Matrix & Asimov; watch Black Mirror "Metalhead"
W 9/23
"The Star" and Black Mirror: the human condition, meaning, existentialism, and philosophy in science fiction
Week 5 - Discovery & Responsibility
M 9/28
"A Sound of Thunder": personal responsibility, "butterfly effect", profit and innovation
W 9/30
Jurassic Park: life finds a way? accountability, responsibility, science and natural order
Week 6 - Preservation & Purpose
M 10/5
The Last of Us: fear, the preservation of society, human resilience, purpose
W 10/7
"The Red Thread": connection, resilience, survival
Week 7 - Science-Fantasy Crossover Week
M 10/12
The LEGO Movie: science-fantasy, hero narratives, free will, mythology
W 10/14
NO CLASS - ASSIGNMENT 1 DUE ON BRIGHTSPACE
Week 8 - Bodies & Ethics
M 10/19
Discuss Octavia Butler's "The Evening…": bodies, social roles and personal freedom
W 10/21
"San Junipero": choice, consent, posthumanism and transhumanism.
Week 9 - Autonomy, Social Control & Genetic Engineering
M 10/26
"2 B R 0 2 B": ethics, post human mortality, morality, free will, social control
W 10/28
Gattaca: retrofuturism, genetic engineering, eugenics, choice, autonomy
Week 10 - Identity, Memory & Self
M 11/2
"Funes": the nature of knowledge, memory shaping identity and self
W 11/4
Eternal Sunshine: technological ethics, consent, autonomy, self and memory
Week 11 - Allegory & Environment
M 11/9
"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas": allegory, morality, relativism, ethics
W 11/11
WALL-E: social and environmental responsibility, hope
Week 12 - Time Travel, Paradoxes & Technology
M 11/16
ASSIGNMENT 2 DUE; Back to the Future; technology and time travel, paradoxes
W 11/18
Terminator 2: examining the dangers of artificial intelligence, time travel, determinism
Week 13 - Artificial Intelligence
M 11/23
Speculative realities: what is ChatGPT? AI / LLMs, our world
W 11/25
NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING BREAK
Week 14 - Social Structures
M 11/30
"Folding Beijing": resource control, labor, social mobility
W 12/2
Snowpiercer: social stratification, technology as wealth, power
Week 15 - Speculative Satire
M 12/7
Idiocracy: satire and exaggerated storytelling as social critique
W 12/9
Final review
Week 16 - FINALS WEEK
FINAL DATE TBD