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$15

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Class

Dissecting Dystopias: Intro to Dystopias

Completed by 3 learners
Ages 14-18
Live One-Time Class
This one-time class introduces learners to the principles of dystopian fiction, teaches them how to identify dystopias, and explains why dystopian stories are an important academic tool for identifying real world social/political pitfalls.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(519 reviews)
Popular

Live video meetings
Meets once
2-10 learners per class
45 min

What's included

1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
Dystopian fiction has remained a popular literary genre for decades, largely because it acts as both a mirror for our current society and a warning for the future. In this introductory course to the Dissecting Dystopia series, student will learn to answer the following questions:

• What is a dystopia?
• How can a reader identify a dystopia in literature and other media?
• How does a dystopian society affect the personal, social, professional, economic, and religious spheres of characters' lives?
• What is a utopia and how might a dystopian society be disguised as a utopian society?
• What purpose does dystopian fiction serve?
• How do dystopias affect language? 
• How can a reader identify the social, political, or economic messages of a work of dystopian fiction?

For this class, students are not required to read specific works of dystopian literature, though multiple classic and contemporary dystopian novels will be referenced to provide examples, including The Giver, Parable of the Sower, The Hunger Games, Fahrenheit 451, Nineteen Eight-Four, and The Handmaid's Tale. 

This course is taught through a mix of lecture and discussion. I will explain each concept, provide examples, and then ask learners for additional examples to ensure they understand the concepts and how to apply them.

Learning Goals

Learners will learn to identify a dystopia in literature and how that dystopia affects the five spheres of characters' lives: personal, social, professional, economic, and religious.

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Dystopian fiction contains elements some learners may find troubling, such as violence and oppression based on factors such as gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, level of education, religious/spiritual beliefs, and social status.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

4.9
519reviews
Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree from Kennesaw State University
I have a BA in English and an MA in Professional Writing, and have taught literature and writing classes to middle and high school students for many years, with a focus on apocalyptic, dystopian, and horror fiction. I am a recurring panelist and moderator at a major science fiction and fantasy convention, speaking on apocalyptic and dystopian media. I have a deep understanding of the genre in both a professional and personal capacity, as well as the real-world implications and effects of dystopian media. 

Reviews



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