Cost and Registration Information

Early Registration Price (by September 1): $285
Regular Price (after September 1): $314

This seminar has been cancelled.

Seminar Description

There’s a lot to fear about the future, and from these fears arise dystopian visions. The literature of the twentieth century took a critical lens to major innovations such as genetic engineering (Brave New World), government invasions of privacy and abuse of technology (1984), religious fundamentalism (The Handmaid's Tale), and a xenophobic world without children (The Children of Men). We'll discuss authors' visions at they relate to and encompass their fears for the world of tomorrow. Perhaps you'll decide that winter in Chicago isn't so bad after all. Ten sessions. $285.

Jim Hecimovich is a PhD candidate in English at the University of Chicago. He has taught at the Newberry numerous times, including courses on historical fiction, Don Quixote, the works of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, magical realism, and Don DeLillo's novels.

Materials List

Required:

• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Harper Perennial, revised edition (2006). ISBN‐13: 978‐0060850524.
• 1984 by George Orwell. Signet Classics (1961). ISBN‐13: 978‐0451524935
• The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Anchor (1998). ISBN‐13: 978‐0385490818
• The Children of Men by P.D. James. Vintage (2006). ISBN‐13: 978‐0307275431

First Reading:

• Please read the first 100 pages of Brave New World for the first class.

This class is part of the Newberry’s Adult Education Seminars Program. Learn more about our registration procedures.