Course Description

French writer and aviator, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once wrote that “When it comes to the future, our task is not to foresee it, but rather to enable it to happen.” In this course, we explore the kinds of new worlds we hope to live in someday. To accomplish this, we will study present-day visions of both near and far futures primarily in literature and popular culture, but also in fields such as popular science, sociology, fine and performing arts, and technology. Our discussions may examine topics such as the interdisciplinary field of Future Studies, speculative fiction from perspectives of gender, race and culture, accessibility, robotics, sustainable architecture of homes and cities, climate change, medical and health-related technologies and advances, education, and others. However, while many contemporary perspectives on the future are bleak or apocalyptic, our class will focus its investigations on texts and materials that generally feature decidedly optimistic views. In our efforts to envision real possibilities for our own tomorrows, we will work with two primary modes of examination: 1) Research, using academic methods and materials to develop ideas we communicate through projects and presentations; and 2) Imagination, exploring creative visions of the future constructed by yourselves and others in art and literature. Whatever your major, this course will allow you to explore for yourself what the future holds in your professional and personal life.

Texts

Beautiful Solutions: A Toolbox for Liberation Paperback edited by Eli Feghali, Rachel Plattus, Nathan Schneider, and Elandria Williams

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Lost Cause by Cory Doctorow

Other readings/videos available online may include such topics as climate change, AI, social justice, architecture, city planning, medical technology, robots, social science, higher education, communication, media, fine art, and others.

Requirements

2-3 worksheets (3-5 pages), 1 research presentation, 1 book discussion project, 1 final portfolio, active attendance, participation, and discussion (in class and online)

About the Instructor(s): Leslie Donovan

Leslie Donovan completed the Honors Program and her BA and MA at UNM, before earning her PhD in Medieval English Literature from the University of Washington in Seattle. Currently the Interim Dean of the Honors College, she has published works on J.R.R. Tolkien, Beowulf, Old English women, and honors teaching. Dr. Donovan has been honored with multiple outstanding teaching awards, including UNM’s Presidential Teaching award.