ENGL 478

Spring 2026 Part of Term 1

Part of Term 1
Jan 20-May 6

Science, Technology, and Narrative

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Credit: 3 OR 4 hours.

This advanced literature and science seminar examines the role of narrative in the production, distribution, and uptake of scientific knowledge. Students will explore a range of contemporary and historical topics such as climate change, genetics, and artificial intelligence. Texts and other media will be drawn from literary fiction, scientific articles, journalism and popular culture. The course will focus on marginalized voices and the interdisciplinary methods of literature and science and science studies.

3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: One year of college literature or consent of the instructor.

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ENGL 478 class schedule data for spring 2026
	CRN	Type	Section	Time	Day	Location	Instructor	Section Details
	77934	Online	1G	9:30AM -10:45AM	TR	n.a.	Littlefield, M	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 01/20/26-05/06/26 Credit: 4 hours Section Info: SP26 ENGL 478 - Science, Technology, and Narrative - Melissa Littlefield - Why do we tell stories about science? Who communicates scientific knowledge to the public? How does technology reflect and produce cultural narratives? What roles do texts (fictional and non-fictional) play in narrating science? In this course, we’ll explore the multi-directional traffic between literature, science, and technology, with a particular attention to the role of narrative. We’ll focus on marginalized voices, the impact of feminist science studies, and the methodologies of interdisciplinary fields. Our case studies for the semester include AI, climate, and genetics. Texts will be drawn from speculative and science fiction, Science and Technology Studies, scientific journals, and popular websites. All students will be able to select their own final project topics. Students from across campus are welcome to join this interdisciplinary dialogue that welcomes many different perspectives! Prerequisite: One year of college literature or consent of the instructor. Note: this class meets synchronously online via Zoom. Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate - Urbana-Champaign.
	77933	Online	1U	9:30AM -10:45AM	TR	n.a.	Littlefield, M	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 01/20/26-05/06/26 Credit: 3 hours Section Info: SP26 ENGL 478 - Science, Technology, and Narrative - Melissa Littlefield - Why do we tell stories about science? Who communicates scientific knowledge to the public? How does technology reflect and produce cultural narratives? What roles do texts (fictional and non-fictional) play in narrating science? In this course, we’ll explore the multi-directional traffic between literature, science, and technology, with a particular attention to the role of narrative. We’ll focus on marginalized voices, the impact of feminist science studies, and the methodologies of interdisciplinary fields. Our case studies for the semester include AI, climate, and genetics. Texts will be drawn from speculative and science fiction, Science and Technology Studies, scientific journals, and popular websites. All students will be able to select their own final project topics. Students from across campus are welcome to join this interdisciplinary dialogue that welcomes many different perspectives! Prerequisite: One year of college literature or consent of the instructor. Note: this class meets synchronously online via Zoom. Restriction(s): Restricted to Undergrad - Urbana-Champaign.