PSCI102
POLITICAL SCIENCE FICTION
- Department
- Political Science
- Terms offered
- 3
- Data refreshed
- Jun 27, 2026
Description
First-year seminar/Science fiction enables us to study the contemporary political world from a distance-to shed light on its problems and its weaknesses, and to be imaginative about alternatives, both hope-filled and deeply disturbing. This course will explore important questions and concepts in the study of politics through various works of science fiction, including novels, short stories, and films. Through science fiction, we will consider ideas like power, authority, legitimacy, and identity. We will also take up works of science fiction that examine and critique political systems, including democracy and dictatorship. We will read works that explore issues of racism and sexism through utopian and dystopian visions of society, and will consider the meaning and value of equality, as well as other controversial issues.
Syllabi
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Offering history & forecast 2017–2024
| Year | Fall | Spring | Summer | Intersession |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 2030 Fall: 19% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 2 of 9 fall terms since 2018. | 2030 Spring: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 9 spring terms since 2018. | 2030 Summer: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 9 summer terms since 2018. | 2030 Intersession: 8% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 6 intersession terms since 2020. |
| 2029 | 2029 Fall: 22% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 3 of 10 fall terms since 2017. | 2029 Spring: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 10 spring terms since 2017. | 2029 Summer: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 10 summer terms since 2017. | 2029 Intersession: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017. |
| 2028 | 2028 Fall: 22% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 3 of 10 fall terms since 2017. | 2028 Spring: 5% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 11 spring terms since 2016. | 2028 Summer: 5% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 11 summer terms since 2016. | 2028 Intersession: 7% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017. |
| 2027 | 2027 Fall: 22% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 3 of 10 fall terms since 2017. | 2027 Spring: 5% chance, high confidence. Offered in 0 of 12 spring terms since 2015. | 2027 Summer: 5% chance, high confidence. Offered in 0 of 12 summer terms since 2015. | 2027 Intersession: 6% chance, medium confidence. Offered in 0 of 7 intersession terms since 2017. |
| 2024 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2023 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2022 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2021 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2020 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 2019 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | No data for this term |
| 2018 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | No data for this term |
| 2017 | 1 section | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
Future estimates combine recent offering frequency with detected multi-year cycles. Hover a cell for confidence and evidence; low-confidence estimates are marked with ~.
Meeting times
Most recent first- Tue, 2:50 PM–5:50 PM ASEC303 2021-1
- Thu, 6:00 PM–6:50 PM Sackler Science Center S321 2021-2
- Wed, 9:00 AM–11:50 AM ASEC304 2017
| Term | Professor | Type | Credits | Enrollment | CRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | Valerie Sperling | Lecture | 1 | 13 of 16 enrolled | 23016 |
| Fall 2021 | Valerie Sperling | Lecture | 1 | 16 of 16 enrolled | 28349 |
| Fall 2017 | Valerie Sperling | Lecture | 1 | 16 of 16 enrolled | 26010 |