Week 1: Introduction

• Introduction to the module

• Initial discussion: what is science fiction?

• Mini-lecture: Key concepts in science fiction

• Mini-lecture: Science fiction in France

• Group discussion: Maurice Dantec’s short story ‘Dieu porte-t-il des lunettes noires?’ (copies will be distributed)

Week 2: La Planète des singes I

• Initial reactions

• Mini-lecture: Pierre Boulle and La Planète des singes

• Group discussions around prepared questions

• Plenary discussion

Week 3: La Planète des singes II

• Mini-lecture: Adaptation studies and science fiction

• Student presentation: Planet of the Apes (Franklin J. Schaffner, 1968)

• Student presentation: Planet of the Apes (Tim Burton, 2001)

• Student presentation: Rise of the Planet of the Apes (Rupert Wyatt, 2011)

• Mini-lecture: Animal, human, and post-human

• Plenary discussion

Week 4: Science fiction and French New Wave cinema

• Mini-lecture: The New Wave in French cinema

• Mini-lecture: Jean-Luc Godard and Alphaville

• Student presentation: Alphaville (Jean-Luc Godard, 1965)

• Mini-lecture: François Truffaut, Ray Bradbury and Fahrenheit 451

• Student presentation: Fahrenheit 451 (François Truffaut, 1966)

• Comparative discussion

Week 5: Luc Besson and French science-fiction cinema

• Mini-lecture: Luc Besson

• Student presentation: Le Dernier Combat (1983)

• Student presentation: Le Cinquième Élément (1997)

• Student presentation: Lucy (2014)

• Comparative discussion

Week 6: Reading week

Week 7: Essay preparation and research skills session

Please complete this online tutorial before the session.

• General advice about essay preparation
• Library research skills session with Kate Williams (liaison librarian)

Week 8: The contemporary French science-fiction short story: Alain Damasio, Aucun souvenir assez solide

• Mini-lecture: the short story in science fiction and Alain Damasio

• Student presentations on four short stories

• Plenary discussion

Week 9: Bande dessinée: Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette, Le Transperceneige (1984)

• Mini-lecture: Bande dessinée

• Le Transperceneige: group discussion around prepared questions

• Student presentation: Snowpiercer (Bong Joon Ho, 2013)

• Plenary discussion

Week 10 Animation: Renaissance

• Mini-lecture: Animated film

• Group discussions around prepared questions

• Mini-lecture: the biological sciences and science fiction

• Plenary discussion

• Assessed essay planning