HNRS 3203 - Utopian and Dystopian Fiction

Since the publication of Thomas More’s celebrated yet purposefully ambiguous Utopia, the idea of a utopia conjures up two distinct meanings: first, as an imaginative idealized community in which humankind, having seemingly attained sufficient mastery or even perfection, seeks to create a rational, equitable and just society offering genuine human fellowship and solidarity; and second, as an utter impossibility, as “no place,”—for, as the ideal has yet to be realized, perhaps proving inherently unattainable, utopia remains ”nowhere.” Over time, these twin meanings of utopia purposefully, ironically and artistically joined in More’s work, separate into two distinct and immensely popular traditions: the utopian novel, which culminates in 19th century works such as Bellamy’s Looking Backward and Gilman’s Herland; and the dystopian novel, prefigured by Dostoevsky and most famously expressed in the 20th century novels by Zamyatin, Huxley, and Orwell. The course seeks to foster critical thinking, reading and interpretive skills through short formal response essays, a creative writing response, group presentations, and the completion of a final formal essay. Students will find opportunities to improve in the conception, writing, and revision of their essays. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Societies and Cultures Category.

Credits: 3 hours

Restrictions: Restricted to Lee Honors College students only.