Alex Hall

Course Content:

The course offers an introduction to the genre and history of literary utopias and related forms of utopian thinking.  The
participants are invited to close reading and discussion of some of […]

Description:

How does vicariously experiencing radically better (or worse) imaginary worlds change our perceptions of the past, present, and future?  The seminar will address this question with a highly […]

Nature and Goals of the Course:

Shapes of Utopia examines relationships between concepts of radically better (or worse) imaginary worlds and forms of expression.  “Very Selective Exploratory Investigations” […]

Course Description:

Because utopian literature expresses what an author desires, what the author feels is lacking in his or her own society, it is inherently a political and social critique.  This course […]

Course Rationale:

This course is a broad survey of the many types of utopias and dystopias in Western literature, from ancient times to the early 20th century, and a thorough exploration of the nature, […]

Nature and Goals of the Course:

This is a particular type of selective survey of utopian literature.  It begins in a rather traditional way, posing questions about how concepts of “utopia” and “utopian […]

Syllabus:

Utopianism, social dreaming, can be both a fundamental component and a critical way of understanding the complex totality of economic, cultural, political, social, and personal life. As it projects or […]

General overview:

This course provides an introduction to utopian and anti-utopian ideas in political theory.  Questions to be addressed include: the political causes and purpose of utopia and anti-utopia, the […]

A utopia, it seems, is a perfect society, where everyone lives in harmony and happiness.  But utopia, literally, is no place.  So why is it that there have been so many different visions of utopia?  How is it that […]

Course Description:

This course will cover American science fiction, utopian, and dystopian literature and film, emphasizing themes dealing with the imagination of better worlds and worse worlds, including […]