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ENG-20096 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

ENG-20096 - Brave New Worlds: Science Fiction and Fantasy
Coordinator: James Peacock Room: CBB0.025 Tel: +44 1782 7 33140
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

Building on your understanding of genre fiction, ‘popular’ literature, and questions of value developed in year 1, on 'Brave New Worlds?' you'll examine the connections between two types of 'speculative fiction': sci-fi and fantasy. As you explore how their strange fictional worlds critique the real world, you'll think further about the relationship between ‘popular’ genres and the literary establishment, consolidating your skills in independent critical analysis. Why are such genres still often not regarded as ‘serious’ literature? Is this justifiable?

Aims
To demonstrate an understanding of genres as reflective of social, cultural and political concerns;
To analyse questions of literary value and canonicity in relation to genre texts;
To develop literary critical skills;
To develop skills in written expression and literary analysis;
To develop research skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes

evaluate and analyse characteristics of science fiction as a genre: 1,2
debate the relationship between literary genre, value and the literary canon: 1,2
critique passages from the course texts in detail and in relation to the wider themes of the texts and the module.: 2

Study hours

Active Learning Hours:
12 x 1-hour workshop/practical session = 12 hours
12 x 1-hour seminar = 12 hours
1 x one-to-one supervision = 1 hour
Independent Study Hours:
2 hours per week for engagement with online discussion threads (reading and composing posts) and other online activities (reading for seminars, mini research activities) = 24 hours
independent study (reading, assessment preparation) = 101 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Exercise weighted 30%
Weekly online discussion thread
Students will participate in a weekly online discussion thread, responding to questions and discussion topics related to seminar activities. They will select their best six responses to be submitted for assessment at the end of the module. Students will be assessed on the depth and criticality of their engagement and their understanding of the key themes and texts. The total word count for their combined six posts will be 1,000 words.

2: Essay weighted 70%
1,500-word essay
Students will choose from a selection of essay questions and will write a discursive essay, drawing on some secondary sources, on one or two of the module set texts.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 17 March 2026