Prerequisits:

There are no specific prerequisites. However, prior knowledge of basic literary studies, major literary theory traditions, and methods of textual interpretation is recommended.

Content (Syllabus outline):

In a time that we increasingly describe in utopian and/or dystopian terms, whether we think of nature or its technological counterpart, the course “Utopia/Dystopia” returns to the literary beginnings of utopia and its dystopian supplement. Utopia, far from offering a static social model presented in an outdated literary genre, is an inherently dynamic form capable of capturing some of the most pressing tensions of today’s world. From this perspective, utopia is a literary form whose most influential examples include film and TV renditions; it is a narrative form organized around the non-narrative structure of the map; it offers a non-place (“utopia”) that is also a good place (“eutopia”); it can drive Enlightenment utopianism while informing the dystopian impulses of the post-Enlightenment and even post-truth eras; finally, utopia is the critical model of human progress that increasingly informs our understanding of artificial and other non-human types of intelligence. As such, “Utopia/Dystopia” turns to literary history to historicize one of the most compelling cultural formations of our time.

Readings:

• More, Thomas, in Stephen Duncombe. Utopija; Odprta utopija. Prev. Bogdan Gradišnik in Jedrt Maležič. Ljubljana: Studia humanitatis, 2014.
• Wallerstein, Immanuel. Utopistike; Dediščina sociologije. Prev. Polona Mesec. Ljubljana: Založba /*cf., 1999.
• Utopije – še vedno: zbornik o utopijah v 21. stoletju. Ur. Neda Pagon in Saša Pagon. Ljubljana: Studia humanitatis, 2015.
• Bauman, Zygmunt. Retrotopija. Prev. Katarina Rotar. Ljubljana: Založba /*cf., 2018

Objectives and competences:

Objectives include an in-depth understanding of the role of the genres and forms of utopia and dystopia in contemporary global culture; expertise in the literary and intellectual history of utopia and dystopia; and the ability to recognize and analyze utopian and dystopian elements of diverse contemporary and historical discourses.

General competences include critical thinking, independent research, and academic writing. Course-specific competences include expertise in the theory and history of utopia, the ability to use methods of literary and cultural history, and the ability to work with the tools of cultural studies. Students will learn how to discuss and write on the topic of utopia and dystopia in theoretical, historical, and media discourses.

Intended learning outcomes:

Students will learn how to describe, analyze, interpret, and compare different historical and contemporary iterations of utopia and dystopia in the arts, politics, and culture. The course will empower students to contribute to both scholarly and public-facing venues with texts on diverse current and historical topics from the perspective of their utopian and/or dystopian potential.

Learning and teaching methods:

Types of learning/teaching:

• Work in smaller groups or pair work
• Independent students work

Teaching methods:

• Explanation
• Conversation/discussion/debate
• Work with texts

Assessment:

• Long written assignments 70 %
• Presentations 30 %

Lecturer’s references:

• Habjan, Jernej. Ordinary Literature Philosophy: Lacanian Literary Performatives between Austin and Rancière. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2020.
• Habjan, Jernej. Literatura med dekonstrukcijo in teorijo. Ljubljana: Založba /*cf., 2014.
• Habjan, Jernej, in Jessica Whyte (ur.). (Mis)readings of Marx in Continental Philosophy. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.
• Habjan, Jernej, in Fabienne Imlinger (ur.). Globalizing Literary Genres. New York: Routledge, 2016.
• Habjan, Jernej. Estetski režim umetnosti med performativno subverzijo in transferno transgresijo. Filozofski vestnik1 (2012): 91–100.
• Habjan, Jernej. Prvi slovenski roman in literarni svetovni-sistem. Slavistična revija 62.4 (2014): 569–577.