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This seminar explores the richness of French science fiction, from its pioneering works to its later developments. Through close reading of selected literary excerpts and key theoretical texts, discussions will connect historical, philosophical, and cultural contexts to the narratives.
The focus will be on: • examining how science fiction is defined and debated; • tracing its origins in France and considering the social, scientific, and imaginative impulses that shaped its earliest forms; • identifying themes introduced by French authors, including technology, utopia and dystopia, space exploration, and humanity’s encounter with the unknown. 1. Defining Science Fiction – key perspectives (Hugo Gernsback, Robert A. Heinlein, John W. Campbell, Judith Merrill, Darko Suvin, and others) 2. French Enlightenment Origins I – early visions of science fiction: Cyrano de Bergerac 3. French Enlightenment Origins II – philosophical and speculative texts: Fontenelle, Voltaire 4. Emerging Themes in French Science Fiction I – from Cyrano (flight to the Moon) to Louis-Sébastien Mercier (life in the future) 5. Emerging Themes in French Science Fiction II – Flammarion (life on other planets, faster-than-light travel), Eyraud (space flight) 6. First Required Reading – group discussion. 7. Jules Verne – his influence on cultural imagination and the editorial shaping of science fiction 8. Modern and Contemporary Science Fiction – Boulle, Barjavel, and selected 21st-century works 9. At the Borders of the Genre – Boris Vian and Michel Houellebecq; exploring if and how their works align with science fiction 10. Science Fiction and Fantasy – distinctions, overlaps, and the structural forms of science fiction 11. Second Required Reading – group discussion. 12. Conclusion – final discussions and summary Last update: Žambůrková Eva, Mgr. (02.12.2025)
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By the end of the seminar, the group will have developed a shared understanding of French science fiction both as a literary genre and as a way of raising broader cultural questions. Last update: Žambůrková Eva, Mgr. (01.12.2025)
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The seminar relies on active participation: engaging with the readings in advance, contributing to discussions, and reflecting critically on the texts. All participants will read two assigned novels, the first to be debated at mid-semester and the second at the end of the semester. Each participant will also present one work of French science fiction (chosen independently or from a curated list), using it as a springboard for class discussion that connects it to broader course themes. Attendance of at least 75% of the lectures. Two required readings and one presentation on a book of choice · First required reading and discussion: 30 % (each participant will prepare answers in advance to a set of curated questions) · Second required reading and discussion: 30 % (each participant will prepare answers in advance to a set of curated questions) · Student presentation and leading discussion: 40 % Knowledge of French is not required for this seminar. Last update: Žambůrková Eva, Mgr. (02.12.2025)
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Bréan, Simon. Science fiction en France. Sorbonne Université Presses, 2012. ISBN 978-2-84050-851-9. Clute, John a Nicholls, Peter. (1995) The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. 2. St. Martin's Press. Online at https://sf-encyclopedia.com/ Commère, Zoé (2023). “Jules Verne, un auteur scolaire ?” Spirale - Revue de recherches en éducation 72/2, 47–57. Online at https://doi.org/10.3917/spir.072.0047. Last update: Žambůrková Eva, Mgr. (26.01.2026)
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