Advanced course                                                                                                                   קורס בחירה

Mr. Shawn Edrei                                                                                                                     מר שון עדרי

 

Unlike its cerebral twin Science Fiction, the fantasy genre has remained largely consistent throughout the 20th century, with established themes and motifs that recur throughout its literary landscape. Images of beautiful forest-dwelling elves and savage green-skinned orcs remain as pervasive and plentiful as they were nearly a century ago.

 

However, the advent of the 21st century has brought about many narratives of resistance to (and subversion of) the prototypical structure of the fantasy text. Authors such as Rick Riordan, Ben Croshaw and Harry Turtledove have produced texts which undermine generic tropes and attempt to redefine fantastic iconography for modern audiences.

 

This course will examine the different methods and techniques used to create these literary challenges, in an attempt to determine both their origins and possible ramifications for the future of the genre.

 

Reading List (tentative):

 

Harry Turtledove, “After The Last Elf is Dead”

Ari Marmell, The Goblin Corps

Paul Dale, The Dark Lord’s Handbook

Rhianna Pratchett, Overlord

Kurtis J. Wiebe, Rat Queens

Drew Hayes, NPCs

Ben Croshaw, Mogworld

Scott Snyder, excerpts from Voodoo Heart