In this section of English 242, we will read and analyze a selection of ?dystopian? literature. We will begin with the definition of ?dystopia? as the antonym of utopia (an imaginary ?perfect? a dystopia is a world so imperfect that it is quite unpleasant for many of its inhabitants. We will work throughout the quarter to refine and complicate this initial definition. We will consider how authors use ?dystopia? to critique environmental destruction, poverttotalitarianism, corporations, political repression, and other social ills. Questions that drive this course include: What is the function of dystopian literature within the societies that produce it? To what extent are the boundary between ?utopia? and ?dystopia? subj Is dystopian literature all critique and caution, or does can it offer a vision for a better world? What is the role of dystopian literature in social movements? How does dystopian literature offer a critique of the author?s present society? How can dystopian literature act a social theory?

Text selections may excerpts or complete texts from the following: ?Th Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas? by Ursula K. LeGuin, Weby Yevgeny Zamyatin, V for Vendettaby Alan Moore, The Handmaid?s Ta leby Margar Atwood, Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and The Iron Heelby Jack London.

This course fulfills the University of Washington?s W-requirement. Iwill include 10-15 pages of graded, out-of-class writing. You will learn the skill of ?close reading? in order to critically anal literature. You will write claim-driven essays that interpret course texts; in these essays you will support your interpretation through analyzed and well-reasoned evidence.
The course will also likely include a in-class quizzes, presentations, and short writing assignments.*