Draws on Milton's "Paradise Lost" and on motifs found within Gnostic mythology and the poetry of William Blake to explore how Philip Pullman reworks the Judeo-Christian myth of the Fall in his trilogy, "His Dark Materials." Finds at its center "Dust": a conventional metaphor for human physicality in which good and evil, and spirit and matter…

This issue provides a selection of articles about literature and the teaching of literature. Titles include "Sin, Salvation, and Grace in 'The Scarlet Letter,'""'The Road Not Taken': A Study in Ambiguity,""In Search of Shakespeare: The Essential Years,""Right Deeds for Wrong Reasons: Teaching the Bible as…

This book provides background information on science fiction for teachers of English at any level who are approaching science fiction for the first time. Contents are: an introduction by W.E. McNelly; "SF in the Classroom" by J. Williamson; "Second Thoughts on the Course in Science Fiction" by M.R. Hillegas; "Flatland and Beyond: Characterization…

Discusses some of the science fiction "masterpieces" and analyzes their value for motivating students to think critically; an annotated bibliography of 28 science fiction novels is appended. (KS)

Contains criteria for recommending adolescent science fiction and fantasy literature and an annotated list of such reading materials. (RL)

This paper describes the content and implementation of a course designed to teach science and technology majors about science fiction. Although many students had expressed little interest in the imaginative world of literature, the scientific content of the texts used attracted their attention and legitimized their involvement in something outside…

A curriculum that asks students to consider the implications of censorship would include not only "Fahrenheit 451" but also other works of adolescent literature, Holocaust literature, and science fiction. Works written about the Holocaust, which can be considered a type of absolute censorship, help students to consider censorship's…

This guide focuses on communication skills within 17 courses: American literature 1 and 2, English literature 1 and 2, world literature 1 and 2, advanced composition, advanced literature, aovanced literature and composition l1and 2, film study, science fiction, modern writers, comic spirit, Afro-American literature, career English, and college…

An issue devoted to the use of science fiction in the French language classroom discusses such topics as the development of the genre, literary techniques, themes, imagery, sociolinguistic elements, and potential classroom activities. (MSE)

This paper illustrates several examples of visual science fiction use in teaching literary classics, and is based on the philosophy that students share a visual cultural literacy through movies and television, types of representation with which they are more familiar than with literary texts. It claims that visual science fiction can be utilized…

Even the best university students reject serious modern literature in favor of science fiction and other popular fictions that present favorable, heroic versions of mankind. (JH)

Reviews seven assorted books for an older audience. The topics include archaeology, fantastic literature, and suspense. (CRH)

Describes how Bradbury's work can be used in the classroom. Indicates how attitudes towards technology can be found in the work and how these may be used to stimulate mature students. (CRH)

The end of the world, or civilization, is probably one of humankind's most horrifying fears. The apocalypse has been explored by many writers, and the decision to include this type of literature in a curriculum depends on how the situation is presented and resolved. The work should offer some solution and hope. Two recent works of apocalyptic…