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Culture - HSS_40201_TA : The Biopolitics of Science Fiction

Domaine > Sciences humaines et sociales.

Descriptif

To what extent can science fiction be considered a biopolitical genre?  

To answer this question, we will need to examine biopolitics, a field of inquiry that lies at the intersection of multiple disciplines in the arts, humanities and sciences, and that addresses a vast array of issues related to the life and well-being of individuals and entire populations.  

We must also make inquiries into the nature and aims of science fiction as a genre. The first indisputable work of SF, Frankenstein, was published roughly around the time when major advances in the life sciences and biotechnologies began to accelerate. Many of the genre’s primary themes and preoccupations, you will discover, overlap with that of biopolitics.  

Together, we will analyze and discuss works of SF in light of these ideas. Works to be studied include literary texts such as Frankenstein, the Cthulhu Mythos, Brave New World, The Left Hand of Darkness and The Handmaid’s Tale, together with excerpts from films such as Planet of the Apes, Gattaca, Children of Men, Contagion, The Three Body Problem, the Alien and Blade Runner franchises, and more.  

Issues to be discussed may include: reproduction and sexuality; racial violence and ethnic cleansing; slavery and colonialism; migration and immigration control; security and surveillance; police and military policies; corporal punishment; digital and mass communications; biotechnologies and biocapitalism; health management and disease control; animal rights and ecology; the development of human augmentation, AI, cybernetic organisms and synthetic lifeforms, and more.    

As a genre populated with a variety of non-, trans- or post- humans, SF ultimately inquires what it means to be human and who or what decides what is and is not human. There is perhaps no more urgent question in the world today.  

Objectifs pédagogiques

In this course, you will be introduced to ideas from leading thinkers in biopolitical theory, together with the academic study of science fiction. By the end of the course, you should be able to make an informed response to the following questions. 

 

  1. What is biopolitics? What are the main ideas and who are the main thinkers associated with biopolitics? What role has science fiction played in the discussion and development of biopolitics?
  1. What is science fiction? How do the history and concerns of the genre overlap with biopolitics? 

21 heures en présentiel (7 blocs ou créneaux)
réparties en:
  • Enseignement thématique culture : 21

effectifs minimal / maximal:

10/30

Diplôme(s) concerné(s)

Format des notes

Numérique sur 20

Littérale/grade européen

Pour les étudiants du diplôme Diplôme d'Ingénieur de l'Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées

Le rattrapage est autorisé (Max entre les deux notes écrêté à une note seuil)
  • le rattrapage est obligatoire si :
    Note initiale < 6
  • le rattrapage peut être demandé par l'étudiant si :
    6 ≤ note initiale < 10
L'UE est acquise si Note finale >= 10
  • Crédits ECTS acquis : 1.5 ECTS

Le coefficient de l'UE est : 1

La note obtenue rentre dans le calcul de votre GPA.

L'UE est évaluée par les étudiants.

Programme détaillé

ACTIVITIES 

This course will be taught in the manner of an American university seminar, which means that much of its content and focus will be determined with the active input of the students. A typical class will consist of the screening, analysis, and group discussion of a film or text. Debate will be encouraged. Assigned readings will not exceed 10 pages per week.  

INDIVIDUAL WORK 

Class preparation and participation are mandatory. Working in pairs, students will prepare short presentations on relevant themes.  

EVALUATION 

Grades will be based on participation and presentations. 

Mots clés

Biopolitics, science fiction, cinema, literature,
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