LIT 3313-Summer 2025-Peebles

In this course, we will delve into the realms of science fiction to explore one of the most enduring and profound questions: What does it mean to be human? Through the lens of speculative fiction, we will examine how authors and creators challenge, redefine, and expand our understanding of humanity. Throughout the semester, we will ask questions such as: what is the definition of human and what does it mean to be defined as human? We will discuss how these narratives reflect cultural anxieties, ethical dilemmas, and philosophical questions about identity, consciousness, and morality. Through critical discussions, students will engage with classic and contemporary works to interrogate the boundaries of humanity in an era of rapid technological and biological change. Key authors to include Mary Shelley, Kazuo Ishiguro, N.K. Jemisin, and others.