Selected aspects of English literary studies: Human nature and humanity in speculative fiction 2510-f2ENG2W-ELT-HNH

The focus of the course is the expression of the concept of humanity as presented in selected science-fiction texts. The course emphasizes two primary approaches to analysing the nature of humanity in science-fiction: in opposition to alien lifeforms and in opposition to artificial humans. The discussion will revolve around the characteristic features of such texts, as well as the emergent conclusions. The thematic blocks of the course include:

A. Humanity as defined by the hostility/amity of machines:
→the development of narratives about machines
→the development of portrayal of machines and AI
→the implications of creating sentient AI

B. Humanity as defined in contrast to alien lifeforms
→the development of narratives about alien species
→the development of portrayal of alienness
→the implications of the confrontation between humanity and alien lifeforms

Warning: due to the nature of the genre, the examined texts may include disturbing content, or depictions of physical or sexual violence.