Faculty First Year Seminars 197FYS1 - Literatures of Some Futures

Welcome to the future. Or at least, welcome to some futures as depicted in 20th century literature, music, and film. In this class, we will critically analyze the concept of the future and what representations of the future say both about an author?s social, political, and philosophical perspective as well as the cultural moment when a particular future is created. Along the way, we will discuss the many twists of futurity, with particular emphasis on time travel, dystopianism, technophobia, feminism, difference, afrofuturism, consumerism, robots, boy bands, and more. We will also practice and discuss valuable learning strategies that will help you throughout your time here at UMass Amherst. Finally, at the end of the semester you will create your own version of the future in a short fiction writing assignment.

Freshmen Only