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How Great Science Fiction Works

Gary K. Wolfe Gary K. Wolfe, Ph.D.
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Much better than expected ! Where do I start? This course brought back so many memories. I started reading SF in the '60 and I knew most if not all the classics discussed by Professor Wolfe and was encouraged to read them again. At this time I have finished half the course and am looking forward to the remaining lectures. I will certainly miss them when I have finished watching them. I really never expected them to be so interesting. Professor Wolfe is excellent in my opinion. He really knows his subject. He is the kind of guy you would like to invite over for dinner just so that he could relate all the anecdotes he wasn't able to include in the course. Highly recommended !
Date published: 2020-05-07
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Riveting! Having read Ted Chiang's superb recent collection of short stories, "Exhalation", I found myself drawn back to the world of science fiction that I loved so much as a teen. But I didn't know how to start again? What to read? Professor Wolfe's course is the perfect place for all that information. It's a compact history/analysis of science fiction with a quick look to the future of the field in the last lecture. Very enjoyable; I highly recommend it.
Date published: 2020-02-29
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Misleading title but still a good course This course was not what I expected. It is more a literary criticism and history of sci-fi than a course about the building blocks of great sci-fi. There is nothing wrong with that as a concept but why not title this course 'Great Science Fiction' only instead of adding the how ti works tag. This course will add to your reading list and will inform you about the writers but it will not help you write better sci-fi - though you will probably appreciate the genre more.
Date published: 2020-01-18
Rated 5 out of 5 by from How Great is SciFi? I used to blog reviews of Sci-fi luminaries and knew about Wolfe being a Scifi editor before I got a hold of his course and began watching his lectures. He covered most of what I knew, explained much I had suspected, and gave me new authors & new works to contemplate for the future. My only regret is that he could have given a broader survey of more recent works to round out the experience. But he would have had to add another half dozen lectures to do it right.
Date published: 2020-01-10
Rated 2 out of 5 by from Not What Is Advertised If you want to know "How Great Science Fiction Works" this is disappointing. If you want to know "A history and Analysis Of Science Fiction" Then this works because that is exactly what this is.
Date published: 2019-10-03
Rated 2 out of 5 by from More catalogue than course On the odd occasion that the lecturer discusses science fiction, its evolution, and its place in our culture, this is a terrific series. Alas, that is the minority, and most of the course is just a list of books with plot synopses. I added a lot to my reading list, but learned very little
Date published: 2019-07-06
Rated 4 out of 5 by from taking sci-fi seriously kudos to the great courses for looking beyond “classic” literature and offering an in-depth study of a particular genre, especially one than tends to be easily dismissed by everyone outside it. professor wolfe does a good job of covering the history and development of science fiction, from its fuzzy beginnings down to the present day, as well as the broad range of themes and concerns that make scifi so distinctive. he also doesn’t shy away from discussing the warts: he fully acknowledges the disposible nature of pulp era stories, the tendency to focus more on action and setting than character, and the racial and gender biases that have been so prominent until quite recently. in short, he covers science fiction sympathetically but honestly, and that’s exactly what you want. the difficulty in a course such as this one is in striking a balance between telling the broader story of science fiction on the one hand, and summarizing the contents of individual stories on the other. when the course strikes this balance, it’s quite interesting. unfortunately some lectures have a tendency to feel like little more than a catalogue of summaries: “so-and-so wrote this novel, in which this happened; and then there’s that novel, in which that happened; and then another story…” this i feel is less effective because the various details start to blur together in your head, and you can feel like you’ve looked closely at a whole bunch of trees without really having enough of a sense of the forest. it must be said that as a presenter the professor is fairly low-key. he does do a perfectly decent job, and on the rare occasion when he gives his frank opinion it can be quite entertaining, but by and large he’s a capable rather than an exciting speaker. i did the video version of this course, and while the set is quite attractive, the audio would be more than sufficient. this course will be most useful to people who have already read some science fiction and want a better sense of the overall landscape, and to people who are curious about science fiction and are looking for suggestions as to where to start. unfortunately many of the summaries include substantial spoilers, which the professor couldn’t avoid but which will nonetheless affect actual reading. if you’re not intending to read science fiction on the other hand and just want a overview of the genre, the course will still be interesting, but it may feel like something is missing.
Date published: 2019-06-19
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Enjoyed it very much The course title makes no sense, but the course material was for the most part quite interesting. I like structure & history, this course provided both. I've read SF for a long time but never had a clear picture of its evolution as a literary form until now. Many reviewers cited the lack of coverage of movies & other visual media. Given the 24-lecture constraint (which I assume was imposed by The Teaching Company), I think the professor was wise to confine his few comments to movies based on notable written works. A course just on SF movies would be great and hopefully TTC will give us one soon. In fact you could do a whole course just on SF movies derived from literature, and the ways in which the movies did or did not reflect the source work. Categories would range from adaptations mostly faithful in both letter & spirit (John Carpenter's "The Thing"), to adaptations largely faithful but deviating in one or more crucial points (1951's "The Day the Earth Stood Still", and if you know the movie but don't know what crucial point I'm referring to, read the source story, "Farewell to the Master" by Harry Bates), to "adaptations" that are nothing more than a ripoff of a famous title and bear no resemblance to the source ("I, Robot", "Starship Troopers", and Professor Wolfe to his credit casts scorn on both of those execrable movies). Since practically every reviewer had some personal nit to pick, I can't resist adding mine. Vonnegut does not belong in this course. All SF fans know that Vonnegut himself repeatedly and tediously rejected the label of science fiction for his works. He was an annoying man, but he was right. "Cat's Cradle", discussed in lecture 14 on religion in SF, is social satire in the tradition of Jonathan Swift, as were almost all of Vonnegut's works mis-labeled as SF. However, what could be more fun than a giant argument over whether a given work is SF! There should be a whole course on that topic too. Margaret Atwood could teach it (joke). If you like SF, the very least this course will do for you is offer you some previously unsampled authors to look into. That alone would have been sufficient recompense for me, though I got much more out of it.
Date published: 2019-05-22
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Wonderful! This is a fun class and teaches a student quite a bit. I truly enjoy this course and would recommend it to anyone novice or expert. The professor is well-read and has keen insight into the nature of science fiction! Fun, fun, fun!
Date published: 2019-03-18
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Excellent It was all that I expected. Worthwhile for a prospective writer.
Date published: 2019-02-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Excellent Overview This is the most recent course I've bought and I could not be more satisfied. I have enjoyed SciFi for years and this added so much information on background, influences of the authors. The professor was excellent, interesting, and entertaining. I'll be widening my reading from now on.
Date published: 2019-01-16
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Understanding Sci-Fi's place in the Literary World Lately, I've noticed that it is increasingly difficult to find older science fiction novels in bookstores both large and small. Once popular titles that I read years ago are no longer being re-printed. Nevertheless, from humble beginnings, science fiction has developed into a very interesting literary genre and I wanted to find out more. Professor Wolfe covers a lot of ground in the course and outlines many more books than I have time to read. However, he does pause and reflect on the important authors and titles. In 1934, Stanley G. Weinbaum wrote "A Martian Odyssey", a seminal work that casts alien beings as benevolent; a stark contrast to what had been published before his short story. I found a collection of Mr. Weinbaum's stories on eBay, and have enjoyed what I've read so far. Another find was Daniel Keyes' "Flowers of Algernon". I thought it was well written and creative, a combination that is hard to find in any genre. Several years before taking this course, I read Emily St. John Mandel's "Station Eleven", published in 2014. I was not expecting Professor Wolfe to talk about this book, which was a National Book Award finalist. And that sums up the point of the course - the best science fiction is as good as any literature written today. If you decide to take this course, I'm certain you will find a few new titles to search for and explore. My sixth review (Video Streaming).
Date published: 2018-12-16
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Excellent survey of themes and history of SF I'm on my 2nd pass through the course. I found the presentation to be insightful, and the organization to work well in covering the diverse range of ideas in SF. It discussed many SF stories and novels I had read, some I had forgotten about, and put them in context of what else was going on in SF and the world at the time. I found the information added to my enjoyment and understanding of the literature and the authors. I also got a good list of novels I had not read to check out.
Date published: 2018-12-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by from For a Short while The Stars were my Destination Having grown up during the golden age of Science Fiction, this course not only brought back fond memories of some of my favorite books by such authors as Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury, and others, but it also opened to me, new vistas of Science Fiction which I have yet to try. I appreciated Professor Wolfe's dedication and knowledge of his subject. I believe there wasn't a lecture I didn't enjoy, which included everything from the history of Science Fiction starting with Mary Shelley, to Science Fiction genres of today such as Cyber Punk and the current international and multicultural offerings provided from writers covering the globe. I believe, however, that my favorite lecture was the one in which he concluded his course that justified and defended Science Fiction as not only a great literary genre, but literature that should be considered as thought provoking, and classical as any other literary classification. I totally agree.
Date published: 2018-10-14
Rated 4 out of 5 by from I bought the course expecting the lectures would discuss how the writing of science fiction works, the uses and variety of tropes, symbols, pacing, new trends in vanguard science and science fiction, as well as the coining of new words to express a different concept of thought, experience, place. How one works with mass (i.e., an earth-like planet 2.5 times earth size) fits in context with a human structure, or an organic structure evolved on that planet, or atmospheric weight and what affects and effects might derive from that. This course is a survey of the history of science fiction writing. Dr. Gary Wolfe has an enthusiastic delivery and encyclopedic scope, albeit disorienting in labyrinths of example, arcane details, and concluding points I thought irrelevant or lost in the flow. I found it interesting enough to listen, but disappointing as a discussion of "How Science Fiction Works." The last chapters touched on the tropes, symbols, and new trends, in terms of idea and thought, but remained consistent as historical survey. I do not think "How Great Science Fiction Works," accurately reflects the lecture material, as well as, "An Historical Survey of the Science Fiction Genre," or "A Survey of Science Fiction in Literature."
Date published: 2018-10-12
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Just Right—Now Could We Have a Course on Mysteries Professor Wolfe takes a largely chronological approach to his discussion of science fiction. He begins with Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and continues until reaching the 21st century, with a final lecture on science fiction’s future. There is an occasional pause to discuss a single topic (e.g. Robots or spaceships) that span a larger chronological time period. Dr. Wolfe discusses the major waves of science fiction, most of the major writers and several of the seminal stories and novels. Professor Wolfe does not neglect the editors and the media itself. For example I especially thought that the lecture on the pulps was fascinating, as well as the publishers and editors who founded and ran them. So all-in-all a complete treatment. There are of course some writers and books that have been left out. Perhaps some that are among favorites of mine or yours (Roger Zelazny comes to mine). Of course in 12 hours it is not possible to cover everything in passing not to mention in depth. For me the course is just about right in what has been chosen as regards writers, stories and novels, themes and such. I would have liked a little less plot outline and more analysis in a few cases, but then as an avid reader and reader of science fiction I knew full well the plots of most of the stories (at least until the later periods). Probably the course hits the right notes for anyone who has not read a quite a bit of this genre. Which brings up a few reviewers who somewhat challenge the Professor’s ability to read so many works. I find this not at all unreasonable, as this is his profession. Most avid readers consume several books a month and at times a week. In addition to living our daily lives. If your life was reading, how much more then would one read? Professor Wolfe is a skilled presenter. He even manages the mandated camera switches seamlessly. At times I would have liked him to be a bit more animated, but he knows his subject in depth and that comes across clearly. I liked most of the visuals (.e.g the pulp covers) as well, but they are certainly not necessary to get full value out of the course. Also I liked the set, spending more time that I should have trying to understand the inclusion of some of the objects. Nice job Great Courses. Seriously, have someone develop a course on mysteries. I’d love to hear someone knowledgeable discuss Dorothy Sayers and P. D. James and Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler.
Date published: 2018-07-11
Rated 2 out of 5 by from The course is wrapped up with clear plastic Might get to take course in the fall. So far it looks all nice in all.
Date published: 2018-04-25
Rated 5 out of 5 by from What I have been looking for I find that all of the courses are extremely easy to use, instructors are easy to understand and give enjoyable course material.
Date published: 2018-02-10
Rated 4 out of 5 by from A great course, a little big for the constraints It's a pretty good course. It started out strong, but petered out a bit about halfway through. SF got too big for the constraints. Separate lectures were needed for gender, sexuality, & feminism. Lumping them together did them all a disservice. Short stories & the publishing history of SF, mentioned throughout, would have benefited from consolidated lectures. It's a huge topic, though. I'm glad he doesn't insist on a definition of SF, but gives plenty of examples. It seems as if "Frankenstein" was published & everything thereafter with a bit of tech became SF, even though some of the proto-SF stories had more & better. Is the Age of Science a requirement for SF? I think so, but a lot of SF well into the 20th century & even beyond is magical (unknowable) tech. The icons of SF (artifacts, spaceships, & robots) were well covered as were the founding editors of SF, Hugo Gernsback & John W. Campbell, although he tended to only mention their finer points. I particularly liked Lecture 12: SF as a Wasteland. It's an insight that I've never heard discussed quite so well. I'd add "Armor" by John Steakley & "Old Man's War" to his discussion of war. I think he also missed a few key points between Heinlein's "Starship Troopers" & Haldeman's "Forever War". Still, he did a credible job. My biggest disappointment was how he handled the New Age of SF. It's one of my favorite periods, but he almost made it seem boring. Barely a mention of Zelazny. Apparently we look for different things in SF. He seems to like bricks that I find boring & misses just how satisfying a short, well told tale is. No mention of short fiction after the pulps. Still, overall it was very good. To fill in the gaps, try Rabkin's SF lecture. I haven't listened to the latest, but really enjoyed #296. They should make that available again as a download instead of cassette tape.
Date published: 2018-01-11
Rated 3 out of 5 by from Not terribly engaging. Rather uninvolving. While it begins with a historical overview, most of the sections are topical ("planets," "aliens," "objects," "robots," "spaceships," etc.) and that thematic organization didn't carry much meaning for me; I would have preferred a more cohesive history. The instructor also wasn't the most engaging and didn't seem that engaged himself until he began talking about the cyberpunk movement, which appeared to be a strong personal interest of his. When it ended, I wasn't particularly compelled to listen to it a second time.
Date published: 2017-12-10
Rated 5 out of 5 by from A good course for writers As a writer I take a lot of teaching company courses with the hope of learning something to inspire and inform my writing. This course covers a lot of information about science fiction and its styles and techniques. The professor is knowledgeable and entertaining. I wrote a killer post-modern sonnet based on what I learned in this course.
Date published: 2017-10-16
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Too Much Fun! I managed to kick heroine, crack, bath salts, coke, Moxie, laudanum, medicinal radium and gummy bears but I can not and will not stop buying Great Courses. They are that good.
Date published: 2017-09-24
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Comprehensive A good overview of basic SF themes, works, and representative authors. Given the lecturer's knowledge and ability to explain, I would love to see a series of more in-depth analysis of individual authors, works, and tropes.
Date published: 2017-09-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by from I will never view science fiction that same This course had a profound impact on me as a writer, reader and student of literature. As the lecturer points out science fiction is a worthy member of overall literature and deserves respect as such. I am ashamed to admit that I too used to look down on it as somehow not being literature and just escapism writing. This was despite the fact that I had read many works (many of which were discussed in this course) that met my high standards for good fiction (such as strong characters, well written plots, and themes that either made me consider something new or made me rethink my understanding about the human condition. Hats off to Dr. Wolfe. Also, the course prompted some plot themes that I may pursue one day after I finish the novel I am currently working on.
Date published: 2017-07-16
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Wow! Probably the first course (after a couple dozen or so others) that I felt compelled to listen to a second time immediately after the first time. Bravo!
Date published: 2017-06-28
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great Thank you for this great work. very informative...
Date published: 2017-06-20
Rated 5 out of 5 by from An invaluable resource History and future, a comprehensive parsing of the prevalent elements of the genre, and a rich and lengthy list of of works, known and unknown, that are required reading and necessary additions to any serious Science Fiction library. A truly great course.
Date published: 2017-06-06
Rated 3 out of 5 by from Good series, but misrepresented in the description If you are looking for an understanding of science fiction's place in literature/history, and an understanding of how Science fiction literature impacted the literary and social landscape, this is not the course for you. While the lecturer occasionally skims or refers to those things, they are not examined with any depth or meaning. However, if you are looking for a "survey of science fiction" that will give you an idea of who the major players are, examine the plots of some common books,and give you a starting place to read and explore the sci-fi genre, this is a great introduction to the topic. The lecturer spends the majority of his time describing the plots of various books, and usually avoids spoilers. For long-time sci-fi readers, the history of *publishing sci-fi will be of interest, and you may find new authors or series to dig into. Overall, this was a good course, and enjoyable, and I'd recommend it.
Date published: 2017-05-10
Rated 5 out of 5 by from How Great Science Fiction Works It is a fascinating inside look at the genre. I particularly enjoyed learning about the early pulp fiction.
Date published: 2017-04-25
Rated 5 out of 5 by from How Great Science Fiction Works I am a life long reader of Science Fiction and have taken a Science Fiction course in college. This course is great for clarifying and classifying the various components and main themes of Science Fiction. Suggests an excellent framework for further reading by providing authors and titles to illustrate the themes and components as well as background influences on the genre.
Date published: 2017-04-10
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How Great Science Fiction Works
Course Trailer
Mary Shelley and the Birth of Science Fiction
1: Mary Shelley and the Birth of Science Fiction

Kick off your adventure into science fiction by clearly defining what science fiction is, and more importantly, what science fiction is not. Learn how science fiction is distinguished from-yet often confused with-other literary genres such as fantasy and horror. Take a look at the concept of the "monster" through horror, fantasy, and science fiction to help define the differences in the genres. Ex...

31 min
Science Fiction in the 19th Century
2: Science Fiction in the 19th Century

Look at some of the most important names in 19th-century science fiction, including Poe, Verne, and Wells. From the books and stories they penned, the 20th-century science fiction story emerged. Explore select works from each author, gain the context to better understand their writings and lives, and learn how they influenced what we know as science fiction today....

31 min
Science Fiction Treatments of History
3: Science Fiction Treatments of History

We commonly think of science fiction as dealing with the future, but there is a fascinating subset of science fiction that looks at the past. Learn how science fiction writers often mix real-life history with fiction and invoke mechanisms such as time travel to explore alternate histories-looking at how the world might have been different had history gone another direction at pivotal points in our...

34 min
Evolution and Deep Time in Science Fiction
4: Evolution and Deep Time in Science Fiction

The concept of alternate histories enables vast possibilities. Discover how many science fiction stories tackle massive timescales, taking us from the very beginning to the very end of the universe, and any time and place in between. Examine the ideas science fiction writers proposed about evolution, anthropology, physics, religion, mythology, and more, and see how these concepts influence their v...

34 min
Utopian Dreams and Dystopian Nightmares
5: Utopian Dreams and Dystopian Nightmares

One intriguing theme presented in science fiction is the concept of utopia and dystopia-and how remarkably similar these two seeming opposites can be. Explore the fundamental questions of "Can our lives be better?" and "Can our lives be worse?" Take an in-depth look at some of the most poignant portrayals of utopian and dystopian societies and the social contexts that inspired them....

32 min
The Rise of the Science Fiction Pulps
6: The Rise of the Science Fiction Pulps

Science fiction battled a long-standing bad reputation, born out of the "pulp era" in history. Survey the rise of pulp science fiction through serials, magazines, and short stories at the turn of the 20th century and through the 1950s. You'll gain an appreciation of the obstacles the genre had to overcome through this period in history as Professor Wolfe highlights key authors who contributed to-a...

32 min
The Golden Age of Science Fiction Stories
7: The Golden Age of Science Fiction Stories

After World War II, science fiction took a turn for the better. Learn how one pivotal magazine called Astounding Science Fiction helped change the tide on science fiction. Review the specific works, writers, and editors who contributed to the resurgence of the science fiction. Uncover some of the little-known gems that shaped modern science fiction by reflecting society's struggles, anxieties, and...

33 min
The Spaceship As a Science Fiction Icon
8: The Spaceship As a Science Fiction Icon

Science fiction is known for distinguishing elements: artificial intelligence, time travel, aliens, outer space, and more. Delve into one of the more iconic components of science fiction-the spaceship. Learn how the spaceship is portrayed in some of the most famous stories, as well as lesser-known works. Consider how stories of space exploration parallel and reflect the realities in which they are...

32 min
The Robot: From Capek to Asimov
9: The Robot: From Capek to Asimov

Robots are a common theme in science fiction, but why? Professor Wolfe introduces you to Karel Capek, who adapted the word "robot" from a Czech word meaning "forced labor." Witness the evolution of this concept in science fiction throughout history-including the introduction of the android, existential questions about the nature of cyborgs, and the consequences of robots who think....

32 min
The Golden Age of the Science Fiction Novel
10: The Golden Age of the Science Fiction Novel

In 1950, the New York Times ran an article claiming that science fiction had graduated from pulp fiction to respectable hardcover books. Learn how this remarkable validation was brought to fruition, and see how television and radio helped propel the popularity of science fiction novels. Examine influential authors of novels during this decade, with an in-depth look at Ray Bradbury, Frederik Pohl a...

31 min
From Mars to Arrakis: The Planet
11: From Mars to Arrakis: The Planet

A key differentiator between fantasy and science fiction is that fantasy stories often take place in worlds, while science fiction stories take place on a planet. Thus, the theme of planets is common among some of the great science fiction works in history. Explore the use of planets-whether being discovered or already colonized-in a variety of works. Focus on Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy, ...

33 min
The Science Fiction Wasteland
12: The Science Fiction Wasteland

Not all science fiction predicts technology-driven modern futures. Look at the stories over time that foreshadowed a desolate and bleak future, ravaged by environmental issues, plagues, or cataclysmic events. Examine the five components of apocalyptic stories, the various paradoxes the wasteland-style novels predict or reflect, and some stellar examples from this often bleak subgenre....

31 min
Invasions, Space Wars, and Xenocide
13: Invasions, Space Wars, and Xenocide

Science fiction includes war stories-which often respond to real-life wars. Ascertain how authors such as H. G. Wells took the subgenre of invasion tales to a new level by reflecting current anxieties such as annexation through fictional tales of intergalactic attacks. You'll also learn the truth behind The War of the Worlds hoax. Dig deep into themes such as genocide and extermination and how the...

31 min
Religion in Science Fiction
14: Religion in Science Fiction

A number of science fiction stories tackle the concept of religion, which is often at odds with the concepts that define science fiction. Delve into how science fiction approaches religion, from parody, to reimagining familiar biblical stories and characters in the scope of science fiction, to confronting existing religions and inventing new beliefs. You'll also explore the opposite scenario, in w...

33 min
Science Fiction's New Wave
15: Science Fiction's New Wave

In order to truly make a mark on the literary world, science fiction needed to develop a substantial body of work. In the 1950s and 1960s, see how authors such as J.G. Ballard defined and contributed to the New Wave. You'll also visit the anthologies of Michael Moorcock and Harlan Ellison to discuss whether they helped transform science fiction or reflected an existing shift that would have occurr...

30 min
Encounters with the Alien Other
16: Encounters with the Alien Other

Aliens are another icon and staple of science fiction. Often depicted as hostile and representing the unknown "other" as well as our fears about ourselves, aliens have been examined (and have examined us) in a variety of stories. Journey through the portrayal of aliens in important works by Robert A. Heinlein, John W. Campbell, Jack Finney, Larry Niven, Stanislaw Lem, and Karen Joy Fowler....

30 min
Environmentalism in Science Fiction
17: Environmentalism in Science Fiction

Here you'll revisit the idea that science fiction often deals directly with the consequences of human actions, whether through robots who take over the world or massive storms produced by climate change. Starting with a common theme in many science fiction novels, bugs, Professor Wolfe walks you through works that feature-and often correctly predicted-environmental concerns and ramifications....

33 min
Gender Questions and Feminist Science Fiction
18: Gender Questions and Feminist Science Fiction

One stereotype science fiction still hasn't fully shaken off is that it is a predominantly male genre. Originally, the audience was assumed to be male because science fiction often featured similar themes of exploration, war, and domination that characterized the Western genre. This idea was so prevalent that female science fiction writers were often only successful when writing under a male pseud...

31 min
Cyberpunk and the 1980s
19: Cyberpunk and the 1980s

Gibson's Neuromancer and the movie Blade Runner (based on the Philip K. Dick novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep) together formed a gritty, corporatized view of the future that set the standard for science fiction to come. Throughout the 80s, the concepts of corporatization took hold in science fiction, while at the same time, with real-life technological advances, authors began to investiga...

32 min
The 1990s: The New Space Opera
20: The 1990s: The New Space Opera

Space operas-mega-adventures that span galaxies and many pages-introduce complex and layered narratives with complicated characters who are often not immediately likable. Professor Wolfe traces the components that comprise a space opera, differentiating it from a regular series. Consider how these new space operas relate to-and differ from-classic space operas, and see how modern television and mo...

29 min
The Artifact as a Science Fiction Icon
21: The Artifact as a Science Fiction Icon

The artifact in science fiction is typically a manufactured item with value, power, or mystery, which can be as small as a subatomic particle or as immense as the wormhole from the 2014 film Interstellar. Many science fiction stories grow around the search for an artifact, the protection of an artifact, or the quest to discover what meaning or use the artifact has. Explore how science fiction gian...

29 min
Science Fiction's Urban Landscapes
22: Science Fiction's Urban Landscapes

While many science fiction stories take place in post-apocalyptic wastelands, deep in outer space, or on other planets, another common setting for science fiction is the futuristic city. Compare two different interpretations of urban landscapes, looking first at the flying cars and enormous glass and steel buildings some stories envision, then the gritty, dark dystopia the cyberpunk era introduced...

28 min
Science Fiction in the 21st Century
23: Science Fiction in the 21st Century

Shift your attention to how science fiction grew through the last century into this one. Uncover how the genre has developed from having highly similar plots, audiences, and even authors, into a diverse field with international appreciation and ownership. Tour novels and stories featuring characters of all shapes and colors, written by authors of varying ethnicities, nationalities, and genders. Le...

30 min
The Future of Science Fiction
24: The Future of Science Fiction

Speculate with Professor Wolfe to consider how science fiction may be evolving in the future, as this genre is gaining popularity, acknowledgement, and recognition as an art form worthy of literary respect. Science fiction writers are topping the best-seller lists, and many works of literary fiction now seamlessly weave in elements that half a century ago would have been dismissed as science ficti...

31 min
Gary K. Wolfe

SF has become so diversified in the last several decades that I don’t think any one theoretical approach can account for what it does in all its varieties.

ALMA MATER

University of Chicago

INSTITUTION

Roosevelt University's Evelyn T. Stone College of Professional Studies

About Gary K. Wolfe

Dr. Gary K. Wolfe is a Professor of Humanities in Roosevelt University's Evelyn T. Stone College of Professional Studies. He earned his B.A. from the University of Kansas and his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Dr. Wolfe has earned many awards, including the Pilgrim Award from the Science Fiction Research Association, the Distinguished Scholarship Award from the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts, the Eaton Award from the Eaton Science Fiction Conference, the British Science Fiction Association Award for Best Non-Fiction, the Locus Award for Non-Fiction, and the World Fantasy Award for criticism and reviews. He has been nominated for the prestigious Hugo Award from the World Science Fiction Convention, twice for his nonfiction and three times for the podcast he co-hosts with Jonathan Straham. A reviewer for Locus magazine since 1991 and the Chicago Tribune since 2013, and author or editor of a dozen books, Dr. Wolfe also edited the 2012 Library of America's American Science Fiction: Nine Classic Novels of the 1950s and edits a series of monographs on science fiction authors for the University of Illinois Press.

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