1. Science Fiction Literature It’s not just spaceships and little green men!

2. What does “Science Fiction” mean? The term “Science Fiction” is sort of an oxymoron, a term that contradicts itself: “Science” means that which is true and provable. “Science” means that which is true and provable. “Fiction” means that which is fabricated or false. “Fiction” means that which is fabricated or false. The truth is, both are true for Science Fiction, which must contain scientific principles and the fictional treatment of its use.

3. Working Definition “Science Fiction” shows POSSIBLE futures based on real life science, so we might use this definition: The exploration of alternate realities taken from present day events.

4. RealityScience Fiction Exaggerated Present Day Issue Version of that Issue

5. History of Science Fiction Hints of SciFi started earlier than you think! Hints of SciFi started earlier than you think! In Gulliver’s Travels (1726), a flying island is used by its rulers to literally crush the island’s foes. In Gulliver’s Travels (1726), a flying island is used by its rulers to literally crush the island’s foes. In Micromegas (1732), two giants from other planets (the first aliens!) visit the earth and mock its human occupants. In Micromegas (1732), two giants from other planets (the first aliens!) visit the earth and mock its human occupants. But we don’t call these works SciFi… But we don’t call these works SciFi…

6. The First and The Best? Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) is considered the first SciFi novel (though it was considered horror literature at the time). Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) is considered the first SciFi novel (though it was considered horror literature at the time). In it, a doctor creates a living man out of spare parts, using somewhat believable anatomy principles. In it, a doctor creates a living man out of spare parts, using somewhat believable anatomy principles.

7. And then came the masters… Jules Verne Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864) Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1870) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1870) Around the World in 80 Days (1873) Around the World in 80 Days (1873) H.G. Wells The Time Machine (1895) The Time Machine (1895) The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896) The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896) The Invisible Man (1897) The Invisible Man (1897) War of the Worlds (1898) War of the Worlds (1898)

8. It’s All in the Timing You’ll perhaps notice that the works of these two authors having to do with SciFi were published right around the time of the Industrial Revolution. Why do you think that was?

9. Sub-Genres As you might now be able to guess, SciFi isn’t always about spaceships and aliens. In fact, it rarely is. Though there are about 50 sub-genres of SciFi, 10 sub-genres are seen most often.

10. Sub-Genre : Hard Science Fiction Stories feature believable scientists or scientific investigations. Stories feature believable scientists or scientific investigations. The science must be VITAL to the story and plausible given today’s science. The science must be VITAL to the story and plausible given today’s science. About the difficulties of adapting to humans To life on foreign planets

11. Soft Science Fiction These stories are more about the psychological and social sciences (anthropology, sociology, psychology, political science ), rather than about the hard sciences (for example, physics, astronomy, or chemistry). These stories are more about the psychological and social sciences (anthropology, sociology, psychology, political science ), rather than about the hard sciences (for example, physics, astronomy, or chemistry). Relationships, more than science, are the focus of the action. Relationships, more than science, are the focus of the action. Talking animals present an allegory about class warfare.

12. Alternate History These stories show history as we know it radically changed, such as Einstein never unlocking the power of atomic energy or Germany winning World War II. These stories show history as we know it radically changed, such as Einstein never unlocking the power of atomic energy or Germany winning World War II. Society is altered because of these key changes. Society is altered because of these key changes. What if America had been an Axis power in World War II?

13. Cyberpunk These stories are set in a computer- dominated society, usually in the near future. These stories are set in a computer- dominated society, usually in the near future. The “punk” is usually a character rebelling against the computer domination, often working underground. The “punk” is usually a character rebelling against the computer domination, often working underground. a washed-up computer hacker hired by a mysterious employer to work on the ultimate hack.

14. Utopian Fiction In these stories, all of society’s ills have been solved and people live near-perfect existences. In these stories, all of society’s ills have been solved and people live near-perfect existences. This is distinct from DYSTOPIAN literature in that the controlled society is working in a positive way. This is distinct from DYSTOPIAN literature in that the controlled society is working in a positive way. A look into America’s future: pollution, homophobia, racism, and imperialism no longer exist.

15. Dystopian Fiction Like UTOPIAN fiction, society is controlled and effort at perfection is attempted. Like UTOPIAN fiction, society is controlled and effort at perfection is attempted. HOWEVER, the result is distinctly negative, often in the form of lost freedoms and immoral leaders. HOWEVER, the result is distinctly negative, often in the form of lost freedoms and immoral leaders. Pain and suffering are almost completely absent, but so are free choice and emotional maturity.

16. Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic Stories are concerned with the end of civilization through nuclear war, plague, or some other general disaster. Stories are concerned with the end of civilization through nuclear war, plague, or some other general disaster. The 19-day release and spread of a biological weapon leads to the struggle among a key few survivors.

17. Steampunk These stories are usually set in the time of steam-power prominence. These stories are usually set in the time of steam-power prominence. Society is changed radically by the advent of modern inventions. Society is changed radically by the advent of modern inventions. Like Cyberpunk, there are often rebellious characters. Like Cyberpunk, there are often rebellious characters. Set in 1832, it suggests a massive change to society brought on by a “steam-powered computer.”

18. Fantastic Voyage The hero is on a journey of discovery, encountering foreign creatures, strange inhabitants, and amazing sights. The hero is on a journey of discovery, encountering foreign creatures, strange inhabitants, and amazing sights. So that’s what my colon looks like!

19. Space Opera As opposed to Hard Science Fiction, the stories focus on romantic, often melodramatic, adventure. As opposed to Hard Science Fiction, the stories focus on romantic, often melodramatic, adventure. The setting is almost exclusively space. The setting is almost exclusively space. The conflicts are often between two powerful individuals with competing aims. The conflicts are often between two powerful individuals with competing aims. The beautiful vixen battles the evil aliens, refusing the love of their king.

20. Themes There are about five major themes that recur throughout Science Fiction novels. There are about five major themes that recur throughout Science Fiction novels. These themes tend to have little to do with space and are instead about how events affect the human experience (remember that SciFi events are exaggerations of modern day issues). These themes tend to have little to do with space and are instead about how events affect the human experience (remember that SciFi events are exaggerations of modern day issues).

21. Theme 1: Unexplained Phenomena Stories featuring UFOs, pyramid power, paranormal abilities, ESP, and other psychic possibilities are really about how humans are affected by these possibilities. Stories featuring UFOs, pyramid power, paranormal abilities, ESP, and other psychic possibilities are really about how humans are affected by these possibilities. How does man adapt to the unknown and/or the unexplainable. How does man adapt to the unknown and/or the unexplainable.

22. Theme 2: Self-Knowledge SciFi stories frequently focus less on the science and more on our ability to know and accept our humanity with all of our weakness and error. SciFi stories frequently focus less on the science and more on our ability to know and accept our humanity with all of our weakness and error. This theme is found in stories dealing with the challenging of gender identities or other preconceived notions. This theme is found in stories dealing with the challenging of gender identities or other preconceived notions.

23. Theme 3: Individual vs. Society Society has guidelines for acceptable living, but the story poses situations where rules don’t cover or don’t apply. Society has guidelines for acceptable living, but the story poses situations where rules don’t cover or don’t apply. The strong individual arises to accomplish a daring feat that may require breaking the rules. The strong individual arises to accomplish a daring feat that may require breaking the rules. From this, the hero and the reader understand the complexity and inadequacy of society’s restraints. From this, the hero and the reader understand the complexity and inadequacy of society’s restraints.

24. Theme 4: People in Time or Space Humans travel through space and/or through time, encountering the unknown. Humans travel through space and/or through time, encountering the unknown. The theme revolves around how humans are able to react to unfamiliar surroundings – will it be with fear or understanding? The theme revolves around how humans are able to react to unfamiliar surroundings – will it be with fear or understanding?

25. Theme 5: Humans and Technology Stories revolve around how humans interact with computers, nanotechnology, bioengineering, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and other aspects of a technology-driven society. Stories revolve around how humans interact with computers, nanotechnology, bioengineering, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and other aspects of a technology-driven society. The question of what makes us human is answered when human is contrasted with technology. The question of what makes us human is answered when human is contrasted with technology.