Course Design Using Science Fiction Story and Film for Reading and Discussion in English

Abstract

This paper will discuss course design using the film Total Recall in a reading class designed for undergraduate students in their fourth year of study in English at a university in Seoul. The purpose was the course was to help the students improve their ability to communicate in English. Use of the film in this class was intended to help students to discuss philosophical concepts raised in the story upon which the film was based. The rationale of the course and its plan will be discussed first as well as the overall context in which the film is used in conjunction with the short story upon which it is based. The material which was presented in English via reading, film, discussion and writing is discussed along with the idea that critical thinking and creativity are closely connected with enhanced ability to think and speak in English. Within the context of this class, which emphasized science fiction, students were asked to identify key ideas and concepts within the material as well as to compare this work with other works and after discussion, to write their views with appropriate support from the films and readings.