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Great Utopian and Dystopian Works of Literature cover art

Great Utopian and Dystopian Works of Literature

By: Pamela Bedore,The Great Courses
Narrated by: Pamela Bedore
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Summary

Can literature change our real world society? At its foundation, utopian and dystopian fiction asks a few seemingly simple questions aimed at doing just that. Who are we as a society? Who do we want to be? Who are we afraid we might become? When these questions are framed in the speculative versions of Heaven and Hell on earth, you won't find easy answers, but you will find tremendously insightful and often entertaining perspectives.

Utopian and dystopian writing sits at the crossroads of literature and other important academic disciplines such as philosophy, history, psychology, politics, and sociology. It serves as a useful tool to discuss our present condition and future prospects - to imagine a better tomorrow and warn of dangerous possibilities. To examine the future of mankind through detailed and fascinating stories that highlight and exploit our anxieties in adventurous, thought-provoking, and engaging ways. From Thomas More's foundational text Utopia published in 1516 to the 21st-century phenomenon of The Hunger Games, dive into stories that seek to find the best - and the worst - in humanity, with the hope of better understanding ourselves and the world. Great Utopian and Dystopian Works of Literature delivers 24 illuminating lectures, led by Pamela Bedore, Associate Professor of English at the University of Connecticut, which plunge you into the history and development of utopian ideas and their dystopian counterparts. You'll encounter some of the most powerful and influential texts in this genre as you travel centuries into the past and thousands of years into the future, through worlds that are beautiful, laughable, terrifying, and always thought-provoking.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2017 The Great Courses

What listeners say about Great Utopian and Dystopian Works of Literature

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I have been challenged to rethink.

I've had trouble with this book. It has forced me to look again at some of my views & values regarding Gender types, Young adult literature and many of my political views. I have not always liked what I've heard, but isnt that the whole point?

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19 people found this helpful

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An interesting cruise through the genre's key work

30 minute lectures on either an author or a single book. Interesting insights are provided on the genre, the human condition that leads to the creation of these stories, and the cultural norms that are reflected and questioned by the genre.

A good use of 12 hoirs of my life. Enjoyable and educational.

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7 people found this helpful

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My first of the great courses

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with these series of books but found this to be extremely thought provoking and interesting to listen to. Only snag is now I’ve got so many books to look up I’m not sure when I’ll get to them all hahaha

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7 people found this helpful

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A barrage of literary jargon.

If you’re interested in this lecturers opinions then I can recommend it. If you’re seeking factual details I advise anyone to look elsewhere.

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7 people found this helpful

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Subjective Interpenetration

Great Utopian and Dystopian Works of Literature this is a very subjective selection of work and should be understood as that. I won't go through all the points that I did not like about it. The lectures are evening class rather than university level.
I was expecting a discussion of the stories but it was more a literary analysis course in which the subject matter was of minor import.

I listened to this because I am interested in literature. The fact the tutor had many personal preferences and likes is not relevant for this course. We are there to learn about a genre of literature, not the times she saw in person authors she is a fan of. Again if the stories have to be judged by this it voids them being Great works.

In many lectures about a book, the tutor begins with, "I'm not going to give the ending..."
I don't understand this. This is not a knit and natter group or book club. It makes me think it must be a very poor story if it can only bear one reading.
This is meant to be about Great works. This attitude seems ridiculous to me. Would someone do this if discussing Shakespeare or Austen?

I could list so much more but then it'd end up an end of term thesis but I think you can see the type of issues I found. I hope other people enjoy it more than I did.

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5 people found this helpful

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Everywhere and Nowhere

The author, Pamela Bedore, reads her work with verve, enthusiasm and contagious insight. As we reach for our possible futures as a species, the game is on to determine whether we are headed for a dystopian or utopian future. This survey of the history and development of utopian fiction is engaging from start to finish. There are templates for many possible alternate societies, some of which seem attractive and many of which we will need to swerve hard to avoid as they seem so prescient.

The great courses have the great benefit of manageable well structured chapters, and the links and development of the ideas works really well. Bravo. Finally, there are many useful summaries of stories I may never read - these are very well done - avoiding plot spoilers while taking the key elements to illustrate the themes at hand.

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5 people found this helpful

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Fascinating and insightful in equal measure!

I'm seeing novels I've known and loved for many years in a whole new light.

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2 people found this helpful

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Great!!

Really recommend. This has been my second listen within a year and I feel I need to listen again as there are just so many interesting and thought provoking points being made. If you enjoy this genre of literature I can’t recommend this highly enough. I need to go and read more of the material referenced and then I think I’ll have a third listen. Narration is excellent. Ms Bedore is an excellent raconteur, I imagine her classes are very popular on campus.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great course

Covers all the great classics and makes up a very good reading list and companion

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  • Overall
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An excellent overview of an important literary strandstrand

This was a good listen that made me look at the topic with new perspectives.

Articulately put and read. Pleased to see Ursula le Guins novel The Dispossed at centre. Pity that the the Matrix films are left out.

But a good analysis of the way dystopia has become such a theme in young Adult novels

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