ENG 242 - Dystopian Literature (3)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of dystopian literature, from its origins in classic literature to its evolution in contemporary sci-fi, environmental, feminist, and young adult genres. Students will explore the historical context for the genre and the common literary themes in these texts: authoritarianism, repression, ecological destruction, and personal autonomy. They will identify how these dystopian narratives reflect the preoccupations of different eras in time and study narrative techniques specific to the genre. Students will also analyze how the social and global issues addressed in these texts shape our understanding of their prospective audiences, current issues, and possible futures.