Mid-term Exam

Critical Essay Assignment

Final Exam

Handouts
Marxist Criticism Quick Start Sheet

Radical Fantasy:  An Introduction to Form

Web links (under development)

Miscellaneous
Evolution of Capitalism and the Arts
Essay guidelines

Update 5/3/05:  Final Exam on Wednesday, 5/11, 11-1.  Click here for the exam instructions.
Click here for link to electronic reserve essays by Jameson and Miéville.

Update 1/3/05:  Tentative Course Syllabus now on-line.

Update 1/21/05  Reading Schedule from OXFORD BOOK OF FANTASY STORIES:
         1/14  "The Fortress Unvanquishable" and "Through the Dragon Glass"
         1/17   No class, MLK Day
         1/19  "The Nameless City" and "The Wind in the Portico"
         1/21  "The Tower of the Elephant" and "Jirel Meets Magic"

         1/24  "The Bleak Shore" and "Homecoming"
         1/26   "See You Later" and "Liane the Wayfarer"
         1/28   "Derrick on the Yandro" and "Beyond the Dead Reef"

         1/31  "The Singular Events . . . " and "Operation Afreet"
         2/2    "Same Time, Same Place"  and "Timothy"
         2/4    "Johanna" and "The Night of the White Bhairab"

         2/7  " Lila, The Werewolf" and "Subworld"

Note last-minute change for 2/9:
         2/9    We will NOT discuss "The Silken Swift" but rather "Bite Me Not" and "The Erl-King"
         2/11  "Not Long before the End" and "Troll Bridge"

Kafka Readings
          2/14  "On Parables" and "Blumfield, an Elderly Bachelor"
          2/16  "Description of a Struggle"
          2/18  "Investigations of a Dog"

          2/21  Presidents' Day--No class
          2/23-2/25  "The Metamorphosis"

Mid-term Exam  on Monday, 28 February

This course is devoted to the study of important fantasy fiction in English of the past one hundred years or so.  Much attention is paid to historical development, formal elements, and themes.  During Spring 2005, the topic will be "Radical Fantasy."

Reacting against the assumptions and literary strategies of the mainstream escapist and reactionary fantasy traditions, these authors draw instead upon the less well known and sharply estranging line of fantasy beginning with Franz Kafka.  This new generation of authors creates tales of alternative worlds that comment sharply on the alienating conditions of contemporary life under capitalism and grapple with the issues of social struggle. 

The first half of the course will consist of an historical overview of traditional fantasy themes and strategies and an introduction to the work of Franz Kafka.  The second half will then introduce and explore representative works by Radical Fantasy authors, especially Jeffrey Ford, Neil Gaiman, and China Miéville.  Several of these authors have written commentaries on their assumptions and intentions, so we will read and discuss some of this work, too.

 Students will also be introduced to the dynamics and possibilities of analysis offered by Critical Theory, particularly in the work of Fredric Jameson, T. W. Adorno, Darko Suvin, Walter Benjamin, and Carl Freedman.

Graded projects will include mid-term and final essay exams, several short quizzes, and a critical essay of modest length.

The course is scheduled to be offered during the spring semester of odd-numbered years.

For more information, contact William J. Burling